The 100-Year Flood

People in riverside communities often hear the term 100-year flood, especially as snows melt and forecasters predict rainy days. This confusing term simultaneously evokes a sense of imminent large-scale disaster and feelings of safety—like we are safe from this kind...

Tadpoles: The Frogs of Tomorrow

When I was a toddler, I would eat, sleep, and breathe dinosaurs; I wanted to see them in person.  They were extremely friendly and they all seemed to live in harmony with each other.   Soon after, I was exposed to a crashing reality: Jurassic Park.  After that,...

Return of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Here in the Mississippi River region, Ruby-throated hummingbirds bring great joy to birdwatchers and nature lovers after a long winter’s absence.     Upon returning to their North American breeding grounds from the south, many hummingbirds often make the...