Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie are joined by renowned nature photographer, author, and wildlife expert Stan Tekiela to explore the incredible world of animal adaptations. From polar bears' heat-absorbing fur and bats' echolocation abilities to the hibernation habits of bears and chipmunks, Stan shares fascinating insights into how animals survive and thrive in diverse environments.   Listeners will hear about remarkable examples of adaptation, like how American goldfinches change colors with the seasons, giraffes' long necks for feeding, and even the resilience of frogs that freeze solid in winter. Stan explains how these adaptations develop over millions of years and why backyard habitats are essential for supporting nesting birds and other wildlife. Dive into the wonders of evolution and discover how animals' unique traits help them overcome environmental challenges in this captivating episode!   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

Summer is STILL here, and if you've stepped outside lately, you've probably felt it too—sweltering heat, sticky air, and maybe even a few critters making themselves a little too comfortable in your backyard. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie (with Chris chiming in, of course!) share a lighthearted but practical guide to keeping your habitat healthy during the hottest stretch of the year.   ☀️ Heat & Hydration – Creative ways to keep bird baths cool, from ice cubes to misters, plus why moving feeders into shade can make all the difference. 🐦 Summer Feeding Tips – When to swap out hummingbird nectar, how to keep suet from melting, and a freezer trick to protect birdseed from pests. 🌪️ Weather & Wildlife – Preparing your yard before storms, and what to do if you find a nest on the ground afterward. 🌱 Pests & Plants – Why spraying isn't the answer, how to handle Japanese beetles and mosquitoes naturally, and which invasive plants to watch out for. 🦝 Backyard Bullies – From raccoons and squirrels to starlings and outdoor cats, Debbie and Laurie share stories, laughs, and tried-and-true tricks to keep the peace.   This isn't just about surviving summer—it's about helping your backyard thrive. With practical tips, neighborly humor, and plenty of "whoa!" moments, you'll walk away ready to make your space a safe, welcoming spot for wildlife (and maybe a little cooler for yourself, too).   Don't miss this fun, informative episode of The Backyard Naturalists! Listen now, and be sure to subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review so more folks can discover how rewarding it is to care for the nature right outside their door.

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Allison Young, Director of Outreach Programs for iNaturalist, the global platform that's changing the way people experience nature. Whether you're snapping a photo of a butterfly in your backyard, spotting a rare bird on a hike, or identifying tracks in the mud, iNaturalist turns those moments into data that helps fuel research, conservation, and environmental education worldwide. Allison takes us behind the scenes of iNaturalist, from its humble beginnings as a grad school project at UC Berkeley in 2008 to a thriving community of over 3.5 million users who have contributed 260+ million observations from more than 130 countries. She shares amazing success stories—like the rediscovery of species thought extinct, surprising range expansions, and new species discoveries—proving that every observation matters. You'll also learn how easy it is to get started, why common species are just as valuable to document as rare ones, and how iNaturalist's unique mix of technology and community makes it "the friendliest place on the internet." Plus, Debbie and Laurie swap a few of their own backyard sightings and ideas for using iNaturalist in guided walks and local nature events.  

Summer is heating up across the Carolinas, and that means snakes are on the move — and stirring up plenty of conversation. In this episode, Debbie and Laurie bust myths and tackle misinformation about snake deterrents, exploring what truly works (and what absolutely doesn't) to keep these fascinating reptiles out of spaces where they aren't welcome. From mothballs to marigolds, ultrasonic gadgets to sticky traps, the hosts share a science-based look at these so-called "solutions" and offer practical, humane advice for managing your yard in a way that discourages unwanted snake visits without harming them or other wildlife. If you've ever wondered how to keep your backyard nature-friendly and less attractive to snakes, you'll love this timely, sometimes funny, always down-to-earth episode. 🎧 The Backyard Naturalists is the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature, heard in 125 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and throughout the Carolinas. Proudly named Best of the Weeklies Podcast by Matthews–Mint Hill Weekly two years running!

Debbie and Laurie return to the Matthews Community Farmer's Market to record an episode "live" and on location!

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the many reasons why trees are invaluable to our health, environment, and economy. A recent study conducted by the University of Louisville shows that planting trees can significantly reduce heart disease markers, improve sleep quality, and encourage outdoor activities. Trees also offer environmental benefits like reducing flooding, improving air quality, and supporting the food chain for wildlife. Economically, they boost property values, tourism, and local programs.   Join us as we explore the critical role trees play in our daily lives and discuss how making informed decisions about planting can positively impact communities. Plus, learn about an upcoming TreesMatthews event in Matthews, North Carolina, and get inspired to plant more trees!

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! As spring blooms with vibrant life, Debbie and Laurie delve into the world of advanced bird feeding, exploring Bird Feeding 2.0. From the allure of black oil sunflower seeds to the strategic placement of multiple feeders near trees and bushes, this episode unlocks the secrets to attracting a diverse array of avian visitors to your backyard. Discover the allure of shelled peanuts for blue jays, the importance of live mealworms for baby birds, and the benefits of incorporating native plants and clean water sources into your bird-friendly oasis.   Tune in, and let's elevate your bird feeding game to new heights! And don't forget to share your thoughts with us - we're eager to hear where you're from and what keeps you coming back to The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fun and fascinating leap into the world of frogs and toads—those small but mighty voices you hear rising from ponds, ditches, and backyards as spring turns into summer. You'll learn how to spot (and hear!) some of North Carolina's most common amphibians, including the American Bullfrog, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper, American Toad, and the charmingly named Eastern Spadefoot Toad. The hosts break down what makes frogs different from toads, share the importance of ephemeral ponds for breeding, and encourage listeners to pay close attention to the nighttime chorus happening right outside their windows. If you've ever wondered who's making all that noise after dark, or simply want to better understand your backyard's hidden wildlife, this episode is for you. 🌿 The Backyard Naturalists is the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature — heard in all 50 states, 125 countries, and right here in the Carolinas. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster, Laurie Horne, and Chris take a playful trip through the animal kingdom with a trivia-style episode all about the names for male and female animals. Some are familiar — like a buck and doe, bull and cow, or stallion and mare — while others are far less obvious, including cob and pen for swans, jack and jill for opossums, and even cock and hen for lobsters. Along the way, the conversation wanders in true Backyard Naturalists fashion, from international listeners in places like Vietnam, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Zambia to jellyfish at the Tampa aquarium, a "passel of possums," and whether anyone could ever win a Jeopardy category devoted entirely to Young Sheldon, Tombstone, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? It's a lighthearted, funny, and surprisingly educational episode that proves nature vocabulary can be just as wild as the animals themselves. In this episode, you'll hear about: Animal-name trivia for ants, bears, coyotes, deer, donkeys, elephants, foxes, goats, geese, horses, jellyfish, lobsters, mallards, opossums, pigs, seahorses, squirrels, swans, tigers, and zebras The difference between familiar terms like boar and sow, drake and hen, and billy and nanny Why some animals share naming patterns across species A few surprising terms, including vixen, cob, pen, sea mare, and sea stallion A fun detour into group names, including a passel of possums The podcast's growing international audience and a warm invitation to visit Backyard Birds in Matthews, North Carolina Whether you already know your ganders from your geese or you're just here for the laughs, this episode is a fun reminder that the natural world is full of curious details hiding in plain sight.

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne explore the fascinating world of wildlife bridges, wildlife crossings, green bridges, and ecoducts — structures designed to help animals safely move across fragmented habitats caused by highways, railroads, canals, and other human-made barriers. From deer, elk, badgers, mountain lions, alligators, amphibians, turtles, and even endangered red wolves, these crossings are becoming an increasingly important tool for protecting wildlife and people alike. Debbie and Laurie discuss how wildlife crossings have been used in Europe since the 1950s, why places like the Netherlands and Banff National Park in Canada have become models for large-scale wildlife passage, and how thoughtful design — including native plants, fencing, underpasses, overpasses, and species-specific construction — can dramatically reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The episode also highlights current and future projects in North Carolina, including work along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge and US 64 near Alligator River, where crossings may benefit black bears, bobcats, turtles, snakes, and the critically endangered red wolf. Whether you're a longtime nature lover or just learning about the hidden ways wildlife moves through our landscapes, this episode offers a hopeful look at how smart planning and conservation can make roads safer for everyone — humans and animals included.