My Incredible World

07/15/2025

For years, scientists have experimented with engineering techniques that can safely modify rainfall. But experts say the technology isn't capable of causing extreme, sudden flooding.

07/15/2025

Ever seen a fly like this hanging out on a thistle?

Tachinid flies are one of nature’s unsung pest controllers. While the adults feed on nectar, their larvae develop inside other insects like caterpillars, helping keep populations in check.

They may not be as famous as bees or butterflies, but tachinid flies play a powerful role in balancing ecosystems. Just one more reason to stop and appreciate the tiny creatures working behind the scenes.

Follow us for more incredible close-ups and fun facts from the natural world!

07/14/2025

Who’s that tiny bird with the big attitude?

Black-capped chickadees may look delicate, but they’re bold, curious, and famously unbothered by chilly winter temps. These feathered fluffballs are known for stashing seeds in hundreds of hiding spots—then remembering exactly where they put them.

And their name? It comes straight from their call: “chick-a-dee-dee-dee!” The more “dees” you hear, the more agitated they are. Pretty clever communication for such a small songbird!

Want more cool facts and close-up photos from the wild? Follow us for your daily dose of nature!

07/14/2025

Look close—do you see it? This frog still has a tail! 🐸
Bullfrogs don’t become full-grown frogs overnight. They begin life as tiny, gilled tadpoles, then slowly grow legs, lose their gills, and reabsorb their tails over time. This little froglet is right in the middle of that amazing transformation!

07/13/2025

🍯 Busy bee at work!
To make just one ounce of honey, a single honeybee would have to visit over 2,000 flowers a day for weeks—and fly the equivalent of one trip around the world! Each tiny visit helps pollinate plants while gathering nectar to bring back to the hive.

07/13/2025

🕷️ Not a spider—just a lookalike!
This harvestman, also known as a daddy longlegs, isn’t venomous, doesn’t spin webs, and isn’t even a true spider. With their super-long legs and tiny oval bodies, they’re harmless helpers in the garden—cleaning up organic matter and tiny pests!

07/12/2025

A watchful wild turkey hen leads her curious poults through a patch of sun-dappled forest.
Staying close to mom is key—young turkeys rely on her for protection, warmth, and early lessons in survival.

07/11/2025

👇👇👇

SO, if dragonflies aren't a miracle cure for my mosquito problem, then why attract them at all?
Sure, they’re beautiful....but are they actually useful?

YES. Here's why:

1) Dragonflies Are Generalist Predators:
While mosquitoes are just a small part of their diet, dragonflies still eat tons of other flying insects...like gnats, midges, flies, and even small moths. Many of these are annoying or potentially harmful (hello, biting midges!), and dragonflies help keep them in check.

2) They’re a Sign of a Healthy Habitat:
Dragonflies (and especially their aquatic nymphs) are bioindicators. They only thrive in clean, well-balanced wetlands and water features.
If dragonflies are showing up in your yard, it means your ecosystem is working.

3) They Support the Food Web:
Dragonfly nymphs and adults are food for birds, frogs, turtles, fish, and bats. They’re an important part of the energy cycle in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

4) They've Been Around for a REALLY long time:
Dragonflies are evolutionary marvels. With four independent wings, 360° vision, and unmatched aerial agility, they’re both ancient and extraordinary. Having them in your yard connects you to something much bigger than mosquito control.

5) Yes, They’re Just Plain Magical:
Sometimes, it is okay to plant and build with awe in mind. Watching dragonflies skim over a pond, hover mid-air, or emerge from their nymph cases is part of the joy of reconnecting with nature. You’re making space for wonder.

So no, they won’t clear out your mosquitoes singlehandedly, but they’re still worth inviting in.
Because when you build a landscape that welcomes dragonflies, you’re building an ecosystem...not just a yard.

07/11/2025

They fly like helicopters—and hunt like hawks.

Dragonflies don’t just flutter—they dominate the sky with four wings that move independently. This gives them unmatched agility, letting them hover, dart, and even fly backward. These aerial acrobats catch prey mid-flight with up to 95% accuracy. Precision. Power. Pure nature.

07/11/2025

Bright-eyed and ready for action!
This red squirrel is perched high in the trees, scanning for snacks, danger—or maybe just a good spot to stash its next treasure. Red squirrels are small, energetic tree-dwellers known for their feisty personalities and loud vocalizations. They’re fiercely territorial and often chatter to warn off intruders.

Unlike their gray cousins, red squirrels prefer coniferous forests and rely heavily on seeds from pinecones—but they’ll happily raid bird feeders too!