Where to start? I’ve done so much in nature over the years (including childhood). We live in southern Illinois and near the Shawnee National forest with all the outdoor activities it offers. I also own 33 acres just 7 miles from our house. It borders national Forest land on the south and, that with permission from 2 neighbors, gives me roughtly 1/2-mile area for hiking. My 4 kids (2 girls and 2 boys) and I hiked and camped often, until their high school social live began. We did Chrishmas bird counts for several years. I was also compiler for our county’s spring bird count. During my 10 years as Girl Scout leader, we did numerous nature related activities. Then I stumbled into writing and wrote and illustrated weekly articles for several newspapers for nearly 10 years. Somewhere in all this, I started gardening with a butterfly garden. It offers nectar sources for the butterflies and host plants for them to lay eggs on. The next year I added a moon garden which has all white and pastel flowers that “glow” in the moonlight. I now hike with Buffy, a 7-year-old female chocolate lab. The only times I don’t consider hiking are during severe storms and the hottest days of summer. My gardens also keep me busy and entertained. We live just outside town and have a 2-acre yard. Through the years I wanted to see all the different plant communities at different times of the day, in the different weathers and each of the seasons. Each has its own unique beauty. Nature has been my teacher. I question what I find, and then use reference books and the internet to find answers. When writing the articles I journaled and sketched often. Now I journal and use a camera … and rarely camp. The ground is much harder that it used to be. Hope you learn from and enjoy my blogs.
Posted by Leslie Ewell Magruder on February 18, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Great job mom!! Love the blog!
Posted by Anna on March 10, 2012 at 8:20 am
Mommy! Why are you using a picture of me?!
Posted by petspeopleandlife on November 18, 2012 at 8:27 am
You have wonderful background for your blog. You can write and write and probably not run out of great subject matter. Your about is very nice.
Posted by naturesnippets on November 18, 2012 at 9:06 am
Thanks so much. We have so many places to hike in southern Illinois with all the state sites and Forest Service ones. I’m not fit to live with if I don’t get out. Now my blogs give me more excuses. I’m starting a blog for kids and should post the first one later this week.
Posted by petspeopleandlife on November 18, 2012 at 12:24 pm
My goodness you are filled with inspiration, Good for you for starting a kids blog
Posted by Vicki on November 29, 2012 at 11:37 am
what an interesting “about”.. you are blessed to have all that land to explore. your gardens sound very beautiful. thanks for visiting my blog, I am happy that it led me to yours and I look forward to your new posts.
Posted by naturesnippets on November 29, 2012 at 1:41 pm
I’m glad we each others blogs. It’s so interesting to see pictures from such different climates.
Posted by orbphotog on December 8, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Congratulations! I have nominated you for Blog of the Year 2012 award. Well deserved! Here is a link to the rules of the award: http://orbsdelight.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/orbs-delighted-by-blog-of-the-year-2012-award-from-the-motioners/ Enjoy!
Posted by my secret love for you on December 12, 2012 at 10:53 am
Hi there this is for you
Congratulations! I have nominated you for Blog of the Year 2012 award. Well deserved! Here is a link to the rules of the award; http://mysecretloveforyou.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
enjoy !!
Posted by naturesnippets on December 12, 2012 at 10:58 am
Thank you so much. Orbdelight nominated me a few days ago. Now I need do what’s needed. Thanks, again.
Posted by Ice | The Balsamean on February 27, 2013 at 7:38 pm
[…] southern Illinois nature lover (I’ll call her Deecee, taken from a hint in her profile) whose About page humbly describes someone who lives her love and shares it as a living testament to nature’s […]
Posted by naturesnippets on February 27, 2013 at 10:08 pm
You describe me perfectly and in a different way than I’d thought of.
Posted by naturesnippets on February 27, 2013 at 10:12 pm
…. I just got on your website and saw your ice pictures and scanned the really nice things you said about me and my writing. I’ll spend more time tomorrow reading your blog from today. I’m not a night person and it’s past my bedtime. I’m soooo glad you found my blog and me yours!
Posted by The Balsamean on February 28, 2013 at 8:21 am
My pleasure as well. Please try to take the good with the bad. My blog offers something to please and something to displease just about anybody. Now back out to tending our wet, sticky snow from yesterday and last night.
Posted by Sue on May 9, 2013 at 10:16 am
Thanks for visiting Backyard Biology. I am enjoying your stories of nature in the Midwest.
Posted by naturesnippets on May 9, 2013 at 10:57 am
The differences from the different regions is fascinating! Plus, we get to to expand our experiences.
Posted by meticulousmick on June 22, 2013 at 11:11 am
Thanks for your visit and for considering my blog worthy of a follow. I look forward to seeing how the wonderful world of nature continues to keep both of us amused. Great blog. MM 👍
Posted by linneatrapp on June 26, 2013 at 8:19 am
Lovely photos i enjoy them a lot ! You are really lucky you get to experience all these wild animals and nature!! Looking forward to seeing more and more of your photos!
Posted by naturesnippets on June 26, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Obviously, I prefer nature to house work.
Posted by linneatrapp on June 26, 2013 at 3:39 pm
who wouldnt hahaha =)
Posted by naturesnippets on June 26, 2013 at 4:32 pm
I’ll take a hike any day over housework! There comes a time ….. not often.
Posted by Nature Conservancy in Indiana on July 25, 2013 at 10:06 am
Hi there, Great Blog!
The Nature Conservancy in Indiana was wondering if we could use your TwayBlade Orchid photo for a postcard mailing. The mailing will go to about 1,000 people in Southwestern Indiana. We will, of course, give you photo credit. Please let us know if this would be ok, and how you would like your photo credit written. I can also send you a copy of the full postcard if you have an email address I can send to. Thank you!!
Posted by naturesnippets on July 25, 2013 at 1:58 pm
You definitely have my permission to use the TwayBlade Orchid picture for your postcard mailing. My name is Kathy Phelps and my email address is: deecee@galaxycable.net. I look forward to seeing the postcard.
Posted by naturesnippets on July 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm
I live in Harrisburg, IL 62946
Posted by abby on August 5, 2016 at 12:44 pm
are these poisonous because i touched one and it stung my hand
Posted by naturesnippets on August 5, 2016 at 3:00 pm
I”m confused over which blog you mean, whether was an insect or spider.
Posted by Stommy Blauth on October 12, 2016 at 7:48 am
Hello… I am doing an Overwintering presentation at Delval Univ. PA I would love to use the photos of the red spotted purple creating its hibernaculum. I will be receiving an
Honorarium for the presentation but that money will be donated to Operation Monarch ,
a non-profit to bring awareness to monarch population decline and focus on creating more habitat. My presentation is Oct. 18th. Can I ask for permission to use?
Sincerely,
Stommy Blauth
Director Philadelphia Butterfly Pavilion
President Operation Monarch
Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist
8046 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136
(215) 338-3000
Posted by naturesnippets on October 12, 2016 at 2:43 pm
You have permission.
Posted by naturesnippets on October 17, 2016 at 11:10 am
You have my permission.
Posted by Sandra L Schuman on September 1, 2017 at 5:36 am
I found TWO in a apple Tree in my yard yesterday
Posted by naturesnippets on September 2, 2017 at 12:59 pm
I hope yours and mine stay in the area for a while.