The buzz

A mother won't reject her babies if you touch them, but most young birds don't need your help.

When it comes to animal poop, it's not all the same. Dog poop can be harmful to the environment if left behind, but that's not true of wildlife waste. That's why it's important to always pick up after your dog, no matter where you are.

Photographing wildlife can be an adventure, but the woodchuck is an easy subject.

The need to have a perfect lawn has to do with peer pressure, according to a recent study. But doing so isn't really good for the environment.

Common grackles might seem ordinary, their name even implies it. But while these birds may be common, there is something quite special about them.

The garter snake is the most common snake in the United States, living from coast to coast. But these snakes are still interesting creatures, despite being ubiquitous. 

You woke up to a blanket of fog covering the neighborhood, but where did it come from? 

Raccoons have a well-earned reputation for being trash bandits, but they deserve our respect too. 

Spring wildflowers are beautiful but fleeting. Keep your eyes trained to the ground when out for a walk to see if you can spot bloodroot, a fascinating ephemeral. 

Lightning can — and will — strike the same place twice, so always head indoors when thunder roars.