The Old Naturalist

Yes...that episode title is misleading. But we promise it will make sense when you listen to the Old Naturalist breakdown the differences between our local owls. Thanks to our friend Brian Zweibel for the episode art.

Eric continues to be inspired by the ongoing discussion regarding the changing of bird names. In this episode he quizzes Brandon with another set of old bird names. Play along and see if you can get all three! Thanks to our friend Rick Nirschl for his image that we used for the episode art.

He's fine. Only some minor injuries to his pride. In this episode Brandon and Eric kick it up a notch with a considerably harder butterfly quiz submitted by listener and friend John Michael Durback. Lets see how well you know your butterflies and skippers!

Friend and professional bird namer Greg Links stops by again to chat with the boys about possible edits to your next edition of the Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds. And if you didn't know what the word furtive meant before, you will know what it means by the end of this episode. (Episode art obtained from Wikicommons)

In a follow up to last week's episode, Brandon takes a shot and answering the impossible question. Listen in to see what is his favorite bird! Episode art provided by friend Jamie Cunningham.

Every birder has been asked this question a million times. The reality is it's an impossible one to answer for a serious birder. But why let that stop us! In Part I, Eric attempts this Herculean task.

The Old Naturalist may just turn Brandon into an orchid hunter yet. This month's edition to the boys' continuing series on Oak Openings native orchids is kind of an oddball. Listen in to learn all about putty-root.

Neither Eric or Brandon claim to be butterfly experts. But they think they're pretty! So the Old Naturalist put together a quiz that includes some of our more common butterflies. See if you can beat Brandon's score as he's challenged with 5 of the gaudier members of the lepidoptera family.

September's edition of the orchids of Oak Openings is Great Plains Ladies Tresses. In addition to being a rather showy orchid, this one has the added benefit of being located by scent. So get the details about this beautiful plant, then go sniffing for orchids.

In this week's episode Brandon and Eric discuss the recent publication The Birds Audubon Missed by Kenn Kaufman. Listen in to see how the boys liked the read, and whether you might want to delve into the world of early American ornithology.

Certain groups of birds can be very frustrating for even the best of birder. Shorebirds, gulls, sparrows all have their challenges. But the warbler family presents birders with many identification challenges in the fall. In this episode, Eric's wife Diane quizzes the boys on these drab fall migrants to see how good they really are. Thanks to our friend Brian Zwiebel for the episode art.

The times they are a changin'. They always are. And sharing bird sightings, like anything else, has been impacted by those changes. Listen in to see how birders in Northwest Ohio used to get their information about rare bird sightings. For this episode the boys invite friend Tom Kemp over to help tell the story.

Eric Durbin has been known to occasionally have some questionable ideas. Today's episode is perhaps one of those examples. Listen in to learn all about his suggestions to do a hearing only big day. If you get inspired, don't forget to draft someone as your driver/caretaker, and be sure you don't leave your blindfold at home.

In August's edition of Three for Thursday's, the Old Naturalist will attempt once again to pass the test. Ever the minimalist, Eric will be happy to pass with a score of 2 out of 3. See if you can top that! Additionally, the boys attempt the new frontier of video podcasting. Clearly it's not advisable, as both participants have faces for radio.

Friend and horticulturist Nancy Bucher stops by to educate and potentially humble the boys with a quiz on wildflowers. Play along to see if you know more then the Old Naturalist!

August offers naturalists in Northwest Ohio a variety of adventures. Shorebirds will be on the move south, along big flocks of purple martins and a variety of winged migrants. But today's episode focuses on an extremely rare plant of the Oak Openings. Listen in to learn about spotted coral root.

As Brandon gears up for his second trip to the tropics he thought he'd see if the Old Naturalist remembers his Costa Rican birds. See how well you fair in another addition of Three (or Four) for Thursday's. Thanks to our friend Brian Zwiebel for the episode art.

What does Brandon do when Eric plans to quiz him over local reptiles and amphibians? He calls his other buddy Greg to be his lifeline. In this episode Greg and Brandon talk through Eric's inquisition to see if they can get a 100% on another edition of Three for Thursdays. Play along to test your knowledge on Northwest Ohio herps.

The changing of bird names continues to be a source of interest (and consternation) for the boys, so Eric decided to write up a little quiz that centers around some bird names from the past. And although plants are more her wheelhouse, friend Nancy Bucher joined in on the fun. See if you can ace the quiz!

In another monthly orchid installment, the Old Naturalist schools Brandon on not one, but two orchids native to the Oak Openings. But hold on to your hats because with these beautiful plants you got to get out on the fringes.

In this episode Eric takes Brandon way back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries to discuss one of his naturalist heroes: Edwin Lincoln Moseley. Although Eric never met Moseley, his impact on Northwest Ohio nature lovers is immense. The boys talk about Moseley's teaching career, research in the Oak Openings, exploits to the Far East, and his thrifty way to make tomato soup.

It's quiz time again! But for this go round Brandon was too lazy to come up with any questions so he enlisted the help of someone far more qualified: Nancy Bucher. Listen in to see if Eric continues to be The Old Naturalist's star pupil.

A tom boy. A nautical nut. A very curious mind. All may be apt descriptions of geologist Jane Forsythe. In this episode Eric fondly remembers a serious scientist who made a serious impression on him when he was a young 18 year old freshman in her intro to geology class.

The parade of beautiful orchids continues as Eric tells us all about the Grass Pink orchid this month. This showy orchid is one you'll want to seek out, and the Old Naturalist has a couple of suggestions on where you should begin your search.

Brandon and Eric once again hop in the way back machine and stop off in 1950. The boys comb through the Toledo area bird report and discuss all the things that have changed in the last 70 plus years. Learn about car crushing blackbirds and get a recommendation for your next purchase of Irish whiskey.