Episodes

  • October's Orchid: Putty-root

    October's Orchid: Putty-root
    Oct 3 2024

    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.
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    19 mins
  • The Big Butterfly Quiz

    The Big Butterfly Quiz
    Sep 26 2024

    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.
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    26 mins
  • Great Plains Ladies Tresses

    Great Plains Ladies Tresses
    Sep 19 2024

    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.
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    22 mins
  • Book Review: The Birds Audubon Missed

    Book Review: The Birds Audubon Missed
    Sep 12 2024

    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.
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    26 mins
  • Confusing Fall Warblers

    Confusing Fall Warblers
    Sep 5 2024
    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.
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    17 mins
  • The Rare Bird Alert Hotline

    The Rare Bird Alert Hotline
    Aug 29 2024
    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.
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    15 mins
  • The Hearing Only Big Day

    The Hearing Only Big Day
    Aug 22 2024
    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.
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    8 mins
  • D's Get Degrees

    D's Get Degrees
    Aug 15 2024
    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.
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    11 mins