Nature Bummin'
Stories by MCHT Land Steward Kirk Gentalen • Sign up for notifications of new Nature Bummin’ stories.
Drowsy Dragonflies on Hot Summer Days
These hot midsummer days aren’t good for much except swimming, lemonade sipping, and dragonfly spotting.
Population Dynamics
Every spring, bird and mammal populations swell. But as the summer goes on, populations dwindle. What’s this about?
“The Column I’d Never Thought I’d Write”
MCHT Land Steward Kirk Gentalen falls for Maine’s native flowers—and tells you all about some of his favorites.
Watching for Migratory Birds
When songbirds migrate through Maine in the spring, you better believe MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen is outside listening and looking for warblers.
Woodpeckers and the Displays of Early Spring
Learn more about the Downy, the Hairy, and the Pileated
Ye Olde Fishin’ Holes: the Animal Variety
Looking to spot semi-aquatic animals this winter? Find a hole in the ice near you!
Winter Tracking Tips
Wildlife tracks, trails, and what to make of them—your guide to winter wandering through Maine marshes
No Barreds Held
A deep dive into owls seen (or more likely heard) in Maine
Pardon the Irruption
Forced south of their typical range due to food shortage, the Maine coast is seeing some special birds this season
Fall Migration in Action
Animal migration is a wonderful phenomenon to observe.
One Honey of a Mushroom
Learn about one of the most insatiable mushrooms around—the Honey Mushroom
Mushrooms with Eggs
Excerpt: Been eyeing the mushrooms in your yard lately? Want to know what, exactly, you’re looking at?
A Taste of the Open Sea
Head to the open sea with MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen
Skies Full of Hawks
A deep dive into the life and times of the Broad-winged hawk
Myxomycetes of Our Dreams
Slime molds and why they’re way cool
Ditch Full of Distractions
Who knew a ditch could be so cool? MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen, that’s who.