Sett of Injured Badger Gets New Lease on Life After Laying Dormant for Year and a Half

In the fall two winters ago, during one of my regular walks through the woods, I stumbled upon an animal den on a sloping area deep within the forest. I set up a trail camera there to identify the resident, and it turned out to be a European Badger (Meles Meles). I started monitoring the … Continue reading “Sett of Injured Badger Gets New Lease on Life After Laying Dormant for Year and a Half”

All About St. John’s Wort – How to Identify + Health Benefits

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is a medicinal herb with centuries of documented use. It is a perennial plant with simple leaves and golden yellow flowers which form rich inflorescences. St. John’s Wort is widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa. In contemporary medicine, St. John’s Wort is mainly used in the treatment of depression … Continue reading “All About St. John’s Wort – How to Identify + Health Benefits”

Badger Mother Still Looks and Acts Exhausted, Hyperactive Cubs Won’t Give Her Break

I’ve worried about the wellbeing of the Badger mother since she was first captured on the trail camera with the drooping head and the muzzle open. Seems she’s still not recovered, as she continues to show the signs of exhaustion, but I no longer think she may be sick. I think she’s just really exhausted … Continue reading “Badger Mother Still Looks and Acts Exhausted, Hyperactive Cubs Won’t Give Her Break”

One of Three European Badger Cubs Got Injured and Limps on Right Hind Leg

The three baby European Badgers (Meles Meles) are already being introduced to the world outside, but even though the sow lets them play on their own while she does work around the sett, they are still little and quite clumsy and unsteady on their feet. Perhaps that’s why one of them got injured and is … Continue reading “One of Three European Badger Cubs Got Injured and Limps on Right Hind Leg”

Scarce Swallowtails Pollinating Field Thistle with Widow-Maker Creaking in Background

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides Podalirius) is one of the largest butterflies in Central Europe. It was once quite bountiful, but is getting rarer and rarer. This year is a severe drought year, but despite the growing scarcity of the Scarce Swallowtail, I see them from time to time on the meadows. On my latest run … Continue reading “Scarce Swallowtails Pollinating Field Thistle with Widow-Maker Creaking in Background”

Harrowing Distress Call Pierces Night in Woods, Smiley Vixen and Other Fox Stay on Alert

Smiley Vixen is an absolute cutie, but she’s also a tough girl. She lives it up in her den, but is not afraid to stand up for herself when another fox intrudes upon her territory. But life of a fox in the woods is never easy. The other night, something was happening beside her den … Continue reading “Harrowing Distress Call Pierces Night in Woods, Smiley Vixen and Other Fox Stay on Alert”

White Helleborine (Cephalanthera Damasonium) – Documenting Growth of Wild Orchid

Wild Orchids are not something I routinely see in my woods. As a matter of fact, in over 2 years that I’ve been browsing the forest daily, this is the first time to have come across some. I don’t remember seeing any last year or the year before. Only this year. I have already made … Continue reading “White Helleborine (Cephalanthera Damasonium) – Documenting Growth of Wild Orchid”

Ajuga Reptans (Bugle, or Bugleweed) – Edible and Medicinal but Underappreciated

In this video I talk about Ajuga Reptans, a plant commonly known as Buggle or Buggleweed. This plant is edible and has a long history of medicinal use, but despite all its potential, it remains vastly unappreciated by herbalists and the general public alike. Ajuga Reptans Much as the Ground Ivy which I introduced to … Continue reading “Ajuga Reptans (Bugle, or Bugleweed) – Edible and Medicinal but Underappreciated”

Badger Sow Is Worrying Me, Shows Signs of Being Unwell, Possibly Sick

The badger sow, mother of three beautiful and healthy cubs, started exhibiting the concerning signs of being unwell. I don’t know at this time what exactly is wrong with her and why she acts so sickly, but seeing how unwell she is made me worry. It truly gripped my heart watching the latest trail camera … Continue reading “Badger Sow Is Worrying Me, Shows Signs of Being Unwell, Possibly Sick”

Smiley Vixen Likes to Spend Time on Her Porch, But Intruder Fox Still Visits and Barks

The beautiful Smiley Vixen is now well settled in her den. She goes about her daily duties around the woods, but always finds time to chill on her porch. Just because. When the weather is nice, she hangs out at the entrance to her den and spends time savoring the fresh forest air. Life seems … Continue reading “Smiley Vixen Likes to Spend Time on Her Porch, But Intruder Fox Still Visits and Barks”