Dispatches from the Forest

The pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit in the world - and it lives right here in North America.  In addition to being the smallest, it has some unique qualities that set it apart from other rabbits.  Learn more on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate...

"According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway. Because bees don't care what humans think is impossible." -- The Bee Movie Now isn't actually true - at least not the first part - Bees not caring what humans think is impossible probably is.  Anyways - on t...

In today's episode I'll tell you about a couple birds that are widespread in the United States, but  that you may not be familiar with.  They're species of heron, but unlike their great blue cousin, these herons stay pretty well hidden.  Let's learn more about the American bittern and the Least bittern. Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Ca...

I learned about a couple of things this week:  Turkey drives and rabbit drives.  Now I want to share that knowledge with you!  Learn more about these interesting bits of American history on this episode! Support the podcast!  Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmai...

In this episode, I want to circle back and take a closer look at two critters I mentioned in passing on Episode 99.   One is an arthropod – an arachnid with a venomous sting, the other is a mammal – a rodent – ounce for ounce - maybe the toughest rodent on the planet.  Learn more about the Arizona bark scorpion and the grasshopper mouse on this episode! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.pa...

Everyone has a story to tell - and one of things I love about in-person programs with elder adults is hearing theirs.  In this episode I share some of the story of a recently donated leopard pelt as well as some of the stories I've heard during my in-person programs.  I'll also tell you why Japanese researchers painted a cow with zebra stripes!  Check it out! Support the podcast! Become a patron:...

You may have heard of a Blue jay, but what about a Green jay?  Green jays are related to blue jays but live in southern Texas and Central America.  While they share some common characteristics with their blue cousins, they are incredible unique and interesting birds.  Learn more about these cool corvids on this episode! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest...

Johnny Appleseed is an American folk hero.  And like any good folk tale, the story of the barefoot, coffee-sack wearing vagrant with a tin pot for a hat who planted apple seeds across the midwestern United States is rooted in a fair degree of truth.  In this Dirt Dispatch I'll tell you about the man behind the myth of Johnny Appleseed.   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispat...

They may look like big, bloated guinea pigs, but hyraxes are related to elephants and sea cows.  Learn all about these little primitive mammals whose screams echo across Africa, and whose fossilized excrement is used in perfumes on this episode of The Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $F...

Wolves and wolf management in Wyoming can be a touchy subject.  Most wolves in Wyoming are in the northwestern part of the state, in and around Yellowstone National Park.  But there are rumors of wolves in the southeastern part of the state, in Medicine Bow National Forest.  On this Dirt Dispatch I'll explore if it's possible and if it's plausible.  Tune in!   Support the podcast! Become a patron:...

I recently saw a lone Snow goose hanging out with several dozen (or more) Canada geese.  So let's learn more about the second most abundant and noisiest waterfowl in the world!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch...

Tragedy in Antarctica, footprints in the snow, some other wildlife observations from around Dispatches HQ and the lessons we can learn from Canada Geese.  Tune in to hear all about it!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out th...

I have a confession; I kind of forgot Muskox existed as a North American mammal.  But these arctic-dwelling bovines are incredibly interesting.  Learn all about them on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatch...

One of my favorite quotes comes from Barry Lopez, author of the book "Of Wolves and Men".  He wrote, "We know little about wolves, but a great deal about what we believe wolves to be."  I've been thinking about this quote a lot lately because it seems to me that many people spend a lot of time outside while still managing to isolate themselves to a certain degree from the natural world.  Tune in t...

Arctic foxes live in one of the harshest environments on the planet - and yet, it doesn't seem to bother them.  How do they manage to survive in the arctic?  Find out on this first episode of 2026!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com...

The last Dirt Dispatch of 2025!  2026 promises to be a year of transition and change but also new opportunities and adventures - at least here at Dispatches from the Forest.  We wish you all the best in the New Year.  Tune in to hear my thoughts - I'll also revisit the Greenland Wildlife Overpass - largest wildlife overpass located just a couple hours south of me!   Support the podcast! Become a p...

Ptarmigan are birds that live in the arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.  And they are well adapted to life in the cold!  Learn more about the hare-footed arctic bird with the silent "P" in its name: the ptarmigan!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an ema...

Elk tusks and Peapod the pocket squirrel.  I mean really, what more do I have to say to get you to listen to this Dirt Dispatch?   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest Fo...

Snow leopards are built to live in cold, high altitude environments.  They're also one of the most elusive predators on the planet.  Do they really carry their tail around in their mouths though?  Find out on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Pa...

Why are the Great horned owls so vocal this time of year and are raccoons really becoming domesticated?  Find out on this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest F...

It's been 4 years since I first talked about wild turkeys - but in honor of American Thanksgiving we're revisiting this delicious upland game bird.  Learn more about the wild cousins of the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving dinners on this episode!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!...

Find out what cool observations I've made recently, the world's largest spider web is discovered (not by me though!) and a couple social media rants!  Tune in and then go outside and get dirty!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merc...

Thanks to Dawn for this listener-requested topic: Siamese Fighting Fish, A.K.A. Bettas.  This ubiquitous pet store fish is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, and not only is their history with humans interesting, but they are interesting from a wildlife perspective too!  Learn more on this episode!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Don...

There are seasons that are defined by the rising and setting of the sun, and seasons that are defined by which invertebrates are invading my house.  Learn more about Miller Moths, Boxelder bugs and Western conifer seed bugs in this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me! ...

We're capping off Spooky Season by learning about some of the biggest spiders in the world!  No tricks, just treats!   You know what would be a treat?  If you supported the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dis...