Discover Nature Notes

Hummingbird Hustle: These pint-sized birds pack a lot of power and speed in their game. They can fly backwards, sideways and even upside down with wings beating more than 50 times per second. Hummingbirds also feature a rainbow of colors as they flit about seeking nectar from orange and red tubular flowers. Watch one in slow motion and learn how to attract them to your yard in this week's Discover Nature Note.

With stout frame and a mohawk crest, this potent predator strikes with stealth. Its prey may not see it coming, but you might if you listen for its swooping call. Find out more about this wild fisher on Missouri waters in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Discover the musical stylings and skills of Acris crepitans and Hyla versicolor, more commonly known as cricket frogs and gray tree frogs. They provide an outdoor soundtrack suite while munching on pesky insects that are not so sweet. Learn more in this week's Discover Nature Note.

These mammal moms are made for mobility. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. Females have fur-lined front pouches to raise their large broods which are born blind and hairless, weighing less than a dime.  Despite their scruffy looks, these scavengers are natural cleaners, gobbling up thousands of ticks and eating cockroaches, rats, mice, and more.  Check them out in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Flowers are a great way to show appreciation for Mother's Day. Discover how flowers came to be and how native plants help people and wildlife in this week's Discover Nature Note.

They may be among the smallest songbirds, but they make their presence known with loud and persistent singing.  Hear from Carolina, house and Bewick's wrens in this week's Discover Nature Note.

In 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and the St. Louis Blues were in the Stanley Cup. To ease social tensions at that time, St. Louis became a national, pilot city for an urban fishing program. Catch the unique story of urban fishing and why it's so popular today in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Forests are energy factories! Discover what's blooming and who's moving in Missouri forests this spring in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Eastern and Western meadowlarks sing a different tune, but both birds can be found in grasslands. They sing from perches and nest on the ground. Learn their different songs and find help identifying bird features in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Freshwater mussels are a powerhouse for cleaning our waters. They have a fantasia-like way of reproducing with the help of host fish. Discover their power and risks, and how you can help protect them in this week's Discover Nature Note.