Garden in a City

Julia Rabkin

5.0 (3)
NATURE

Have you ever wondered about what is going on in your Bay Area backyard or local park? This podcast explores the ecosystems going on in your very own garden or green space, and teaches you how to look closer and discover the nature around you. Each episode also includes an original poem. Cover art: The plant on the podcast cover is Common Yarrow, a California native wildflower common in chaparral habitat.

11/30/2023

Differentiating Butterflies and Moths

In this episode, we explore methods used to tell apart butterflies and moths, as well as a common fall butterfly in the Bay Area: the umber skipper. We also look at the role lepidopterans play in ecosystems and even some nocturnal butterflies! This episode also includes a poem about checkerspot butterflies. To learn more about how to tell apart butterflies and moths, read this article by the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/how-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-butterfly-and-a-moth/. This article from the Xerces Society was also very helpful: https://www.xerces.org/blog/moths-are-cool-too.

6 min
09/28/2023

Seabirds in Fall

In this episode, we explore two common seabirds in the Bay Area: the Brown Pelican and Heermann's Gull. We then talk about how these birds are connected to each other, and discuss avian evolution. The episode concludes with a poem about Double-Crested Cormorants, another seabird common in this area. To learn more about the birds talked about in this episode, visit Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/), which includes more information about Brown Pelicans and Heermann's gulls.

10 min
05/25/2023

Spring Marshes

In this episode, we explore the Bay Area's many species of marsh birds, including the Snowy Egret, Bufflehead, and Double-crested Cormorant, and discuss their relationship with the marsh's ecosystems. This episode also includes an original poem about Buffleheads. Bird information for this episode was found on All About Birds, a birding website created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/. Information about Buffleheads came from Buffleheads by Anthony J Erskine, and information about Double-crested Cormorants came from The Devil's Cormorant by Richard J King. General information about ducks came from Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America by Guy A. Baldassarre. I also mention Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue. You can learn about their work here: https://sacheronsave.org/.

8 min
05/18/2023 · BONUS

Kindergarten and First Grade Nature Questions

In this episode, I answer nature questions asked by San Francisco Schoolhouse's K-1 class. Explore a wide variety of nature-related topics as we dive deeper into many subjects about the Bay Area's ecosystems.

7 min
03/29/2023

Spring Mushrooms

In this episode, we explore four of our most common Bay Area mushrooms: Western Jack-ó-lantern, Turkey Tail, Artist's Conk, and Witch's Butter. As always, this episode concludes with a poem about nature. Sources and more information on specific subjects: Davis, Haley. The Most Eye-Catching Mushrooms to See in Winter, Bay Nature https://baynature.org/2021/02/10/top-5-winter-fungi-in-the-bay-area/ Siegel, Noah. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, 2016 Turkey Tail, Encyclopedia of Life https://eol.org/pages/190215

7 min
01/26/2023

Highlights of Winter

In this episode, we discuss three highlights of winter: the adaptations of our native plants to the rainy season, how insects survive the cold, and grandfather's beard lichen. As always, this episode concludes with a poem about nature. Sources and more information on specific subjects: Grandfather's beard lichen: Marianchild, Kate, and Ann Meyer Maglinte. Secrets of the Oak Woodlands: Plants and Animals among California’s Oaks. Heyday, 2014. Native Plants in Winter: Charles, Jacoba. “Bay Area Native Plants Play It Safe, Biologically Speaking -.” Bay Nature, https://baynature.org/article/bay-area-native-plants-play-it-safe-biologically-speaking/. Insects in Winter: Institution, Smithsonian. “Where Do Insects Go in the Winter?” Smithsonian Institution, https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/winter. Accessed 25 Jan. 2023.

7 min
12/03/2022

Late Fall Birds

In this episode, we explore the birds that are flying through the Bay Area right now, how birds change their behavior for winter and late fall, and how you can help support birds in your backyard or observe them in your local park. As always, this episode concludes with a poem about nature. Sources and more information on specific subjects: American Robin Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022. Dark-Eyed Junco Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-eyed_Junco/overview. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022. Farming for Bird Habitat in California’s Delta. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-N3zbyQvgU. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022. Quady, David E., et al. Birds of Northern California. First edition, R.W. Morse Company, 2015. Sibley, David. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. 1st ed, Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. Steller’s Jay Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/overview. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022. Tallamy, Douglas W. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Updated and Expanded pbk. ed, Timber Press, 2009. White-Crowned Sparrow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/overview. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022. Bird Calls: American Robin Song. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZl2X4zjejA. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022. Dark-Eyed Junco Sings an Even Musical Trill. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8-dRrjkipA. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022. The Sounds of Steller’s Jay - 4K. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vWtN5JG8RA. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022. White-Crowned Sparrow Song. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bcnB8S6KGk. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.

9 min
10/14/2022

Early Fall Dragonflies

In this episode, we discuss a wide range of topics related to dragonflies, including feeding, behavior, and flight, as well as how to attract dragonflies to your backyard. As always, this episode concludes with a poem about nature. Sources and more information on specific subjects: Dragonfly Migration in the Bay Area: Claire Peaslee, Meet the Bay Area's Migrating Dragonflies, Bay Nature Magazine (Sept. 2017) https://baynature.org/article/meet-bay-areas-migrating-dragonflies/ Dragonflies Hunting: ScienceTake, How a Dragonfly Hunts, Youtube Video by New York Times (Sept. 2013) https://www.youtube.com/watchv=fE8IYukB7KE General Dragonfly Information: Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Arc: Dragonflies, National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/dragonflies-insects Attracting Dragonflies: Jenny Krane, How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Yard To Combat Mosquitoes, Better Homes and Gardens (Jun. 2022) https://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/nature-lovers/attract-dragonflies/

7 min

8 Episodes

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Have you ever wondered about what is going on in your Bay Area backyard or local park? This podcast explores the ecosystems going on in your very own garden or green space, and teaches you how to look closer and discover the nature around you. Each episode also includes an original poem. Cover art: The plant on the podcast cover is Common Yarrow, a California native wildflower common in chaparral habitat.

Creator

Julia Rabkin
Years Active

2K
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Julia Rabkin
Show Website

Garden in a City