Mccoshsm
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Its been a few years. I mostly scroll and upvote. Thank you all for being amazing, caring, kind, and supportive to one another. Rarely do I post, but here is one: Modified cartoon that I made to reflect those who want to be outside
I will keep posting garden tips so keep an eye out. If you want to check out the book that is available, here it is! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y9G1RY2
It explains some key concepts in ecology and how to support wildlife with many missing resources including soils, shelters, native plants, water, and wood.
Thank for being an awesome community.
Full post on book here https://imgur.com/gallery/finally-wrote-book-IOB3hBl
Finished a large native bee study that we are in the process of publishing now. These are mostly bees from west Texas which has previously not had any studies conducted. However, the lands have been under intense development for oil extraction.
In my time on Imgur I also got to revisit some old work sites where we restored vegetation communities to support the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly. During my visit I was able to find one of the adults!
MrCoolWhip
So you tricked bugs to your yard to kill them... Nice
Idontneedrealfacts
#1 God that's beautiful. Having worked as a Long Term Care and Hospice RN, I helped a lot of people pass from this world. Lots of them had stories to tell and lessons they wanted to pass on. of everything I ever heard at end of life was "I wish I had spent more time at the office" not one. many "Wish I chased that girl" or "wish I took that trip", "wish I kept in touch", "Wish I was honest to my partner", "Wish I was honest to MYSELF".
ArcaneM37
For anyone who doesn't know, a 5 o'clock shadow is the shadow of a mustache that can form for some men by the end of a work day even if they shaved that morning.
amphid
bees on shticks
Rebar77
small edit:
hetnkik999
Hey! I've got the full California native plant habitat going and I've spotted dozens of native butterfly and bee species in my yard since. Actually, it's impossible to go out on a sunny day and see less than 5 butterflies at any given time.
Mccoshsm
That is great to hear.
TheRickestRickFromEarthDimensionC137
I want your book but cannot afford. Instead I planted a bunch of flowers and mow my lawn once a month, leaving over grown patches where certain plants pop up. Thank you for making such a magical contribution to the world!
Mccoshsm
The majority of the information is free on YouTube, but the presentations are long. In short add sandy soils and mulch pits like you would a 5 gallon potted plant to help animals overwinter. Add wood, stones, and other shelters with spaces for animals to hide under/within. https://youtu.be/Q76TEg91MYc?si=GK3qqrdX1DZb7ueh
elvem
Curious biologist here: what do you do for a living? University, research institute,…?
Mccoshsm
I pay my bills as a consulting biologist for energy development and do research/write on my personal time. A lot of data comes from being able to travel as a consulting biologist too.
elvem
Thanks for your answer :)
GnikNella
Bee murderer.
AngurProne
@Mccoshsm Hey fuck you buddy! JK. WE LOVE YOU, HAPPY PIE DAY! (pie kicks cakes ass. Always)
Yoda42024
Downvote coz pie doesn't ALWAYS kick cake's ass.
...
I'm somewhat of a Cake Man myself
Therogerwilco
You do a great job!
Totallyscrewedinaustin
#4 These butterflies are the little tiny blue ones, right? They used to be all over in the 90s, haven't seen any the last few years and they used to be all over our lavender bush....
StanBantheTanMan
So there are tons of species of blues (subfamily Polyommatinae) that look very similar- several are endangered, including the Miami blue, the Karner blue, and the Mt Charleston blue, which is only found in a small part of Nevada. Depending where you live, it could be but is likely a different species. Of course, that doesn’t make it any less sad that you have witnessed insect decline in real time. Blues are gorgeous little butterflies and I’m sorry your lavender bush is empty.
AVaguelyFamiliarUsername
Because people mow their lawns and yeet out every fucking weed they can find. A lot of inscets depend on very specific plants. If you want to help, look up what weeds and plant are native in your area and plant these. Toughest part will be to find the seeds of these.
Also a pile of dead wood or preferably a "dead hedge" would be highly beneficial. And don't keep honeybees they are also part of the problem too. There's simply not enough food for a growing number bees of bees AND other insects.
PackedCatMeowingPowerDensity
#2 Imagine having a garden.
Etlac
Imagine owning a home.
DataBeardFace
Then some self righteous prick comes up and tells you you're doing it wrong and destroying the environment when you finally are able to get a house with a yard.
AmazingNoodleSmuggler
Imagine all the people...