Writings

The Outside Story

These essays, written by Harris Center staffers Susie Spikol and Brett Amy Thelen and illustrated by Adelaide Tryol, first appeared in Northern Woodlands’ Outside Story series.

A black-and-white painting of a fox by Adelaide Tyrol Mammal Fur: More Than Meets the Eye Susie Spikol A black-and-white line drawing of a slug crawling up an iris, by Adelaide Tyrol The Slime on Slugs Susie Spikol A black-and-white drawing of a sleeping mouse with its tail curved around its body, by Adelaide Tyrol Woodland Jumping Mice: Truffle Specialists Susie Spikol A black-and-white illustration of a window-struck songbird by Adelaide Tyrol The Perils of Migration Brett Amy Thelen A black-and-white illustration of Daphnia (also known as Daphnia: Living Time Capsules Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a bobcat by Adelaide Tyrol Bobcats on the Go Susie Spikol A drawing of voles huddling together underground during the winter by Adelaide Tyrol. Voles in Winter Susie Spikol A drawing of a five-lined skink by Adelaide Tyrol. The Scoop on Skinks Brett Amy Thelen A drawing of a spotted salamander with glowing spots. (illustration © Adelaide Tyrol) Amphibians Aglow Brett Amy Thelen A drawing of a Broad-winged Hawk nest with nestlings by Adelaide Tyrol Broad-winged Hawks: Secret Nesters Susie Spikol A drawing of a star-nosed mole by Adelaide Tyrol Star-nosed Mole: a Nose That Knows Susie Spikol A drawing of a fox Fox Talk Susie Spikol A drawing of a hibernating frog by Adelaide Tyrol. Frozen Frogs Underfoot Brett Amy Thelen A drawing of a spider by Adelaide Tyrol. Snow Spiders: Rule Breakers Susie Spikol A drawing of a gray squirrel by Adelaide Tyrol. Nuts for Acorns Susie Spikol A drawing of a Mammoth by Adelaide Tyrol. Mammoth Susie Spikol A drawing of a Northern Shrike by Adelaide Tyrol. A Macabre Menagerie Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a Northern pitcher plant. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Turning the Food Chain Upside Down Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a salamander with a detached tail. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Talking ‘Bout Regeneration Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a brook floater mussel. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) The Brook Floater Mussel Susie Spikol A line drawing of a moose. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) What’s in a Number? Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of eyes shining in the woods at night. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Tapestry of Light Susie Spikol A line drawing of an American marten. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) The Disappearing, Reappearing, American Marten Susie Spikol A line drawing of a Cedar Waxwing eating berries. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Animals and Alcohol Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a Saw-Whet Owl in flight. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Tiny Owls Are On The Move Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a water snake, swimming. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Snakes on a Beach Susie Spikol A line drawing of a musk turtle. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Stinkin' Jim Susie Spikol A line drawing of a snapping turtle hatching out of its egg. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) A Slow Start for Snapping Turtles Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of spotted salamanders crossing the road beneath a March of the Salamanders Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of an otter. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Sliding Shenanigans Susie Spikol A line drawing of a coyote. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Coyotes Prepare for Winter Susie Spikol A line drawing of a moose grazing at the side of the road. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Reflections on Roadkill Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of Common Nighthawks in flight. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Summer's Last Exhale Brett Amy Thelen A line drawing of a Red-backed Salamander. (drawing © Adelaide Tyrol / Northern Woodlands) Salamander Party Tricks Brett Amy Thelen

Backyard Naturalist

These essays, written by Harris Center staffers Phil Brown, Susie Spikol, and Brett Amy Thelen, as well as a few guest contributors, first appeared in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript’s “Backyard Naturalist” series.

A beaver chews a small stick near a beaver dam in Peterborough, New Hampshire. (photo © Francie von Mertens) On Behalf of Beavers Audrey Dunn A man in a yellow dry suit stands on ice and holds a large net, approaching a loon in a spot of open water. (photo © Brian Reilly/Loon Preservation Committee) Heroism in the Age of Warming Winters Brett Amy Thelen A mouse on a branch near the ground, at nighttime. (photo © Anna Marie Saenger) Fur: The Buzz on Fuzz Susie Spikol A black bear in a tree. (photo © Polly Pattison) Autumn is Feeding Time for Bears Susie Spikol The view from Mount Monadnock's summit, on a day with white, puffy clouds hanging in a blue sky. (photo © Audrey Dunn) Savoring Summits & Stillness Audrey Dunn A wetland, filled with plants, against a forested hillside and blue and cloud-filled sky. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen In Praise of Wetlands Kathy Schillemat Barn Swallow nestlings sit in their nest under an eave. (photo: Phil Brown) Where Are All the Birds? Phil Brown A bumblebee pollinates a purple lupine (photo: Francie von Mertens) No Mow May Susie Spikol A puffy Hermit Thrush sits on a branch (photo: Meade Cadot) The Bright Side of Black Flies Susie Spikol A Northern goshawk sits in a tree, with fur hanging out of its bill (photo: Andrey Gulivanov) Be on the Lookout for Goshawks and Kestrels Phil Brown Two otters play on the ice (photo: Tom Momeyer) The Patron Saints of Play Brett Amy Thelen Evening Grosbeaks gather on a snowy feeder (photo: Phil Brown) Winter Birding is About More Than Just Birds Phil Brown Laurel and Alden Brown hold a bucket of cranberries in a wetland (photo: Phil Brown) The Sauce on Cranberries Susie Spikol Researchers affix a transmitter to a Broad-winged Hawk. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen) Harris Center’s Tagged Hawks Are on Their Way! Phil Brown Two nighthawks fly in the blue sky next to a half-moon (photo: Dave Hoitt). A Change in the Air Brett Amy Thelen Backlit by the sun, a Great Blue Heron pair stands over their young in the nest (photo: Meade Cadot) Home Tweet Home Susie Spikol A red trillium blossom (photo: Laurel Swope-Brush) Woodland Wildflowers: A Fleeting Spring Beauty Brett Amy Thelen A mourning cloak butterfly, wings spread, rests on the forest floor. (photo: Alan Schmierer) Mourning Cloak Butterflies Are a Sign of Spring Susie Spikol A human hand in the snow next to a bear's paw print. (photo: Phil Brown) Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Winter Bear Sign Phil Brown Two Eastern gray squirrels enjoy some seeds on a porch. (photo: Susie Spikol) What's Not To Love About Eastern Gray Squirrels? Susie Spikol Seven male Evening Grosbeaks sit at a feeder (photo: Meade Cadot) The Act of Enjoying Wild Birds Brett Amy Thelen A tom turkey with full plumage stands in a field. (photo: Tim Lumley) Talkin' About New Hampshire's Big Turkey Comeback Susie Spikol A loon carries two chicks on its back (photo: Brian Reilly) The Call of the Wild — Loons on Our Lakes Brett Amy Thelen A painted turtle nests in loose, well-drained soil (photo: Brett Amy Thelen) Living on Turtle Time Brett Amy Thelen A person wanders through an open field (photo: Brett Amy Thelen) Spring Is Not Canceled Brett Amy Thelen A bobcat print in the snow, next to a mitten for scale (photo: Susie Spikol) Open Your Eyes to the Animal World Around You Susie Spikol A red eft is held in a child's hands. (photo: Ben Conant) Touched by Touch Susie Spikol