My Incredible World

12/21/2025

Red eyes. Wild hair. Serious fishing skills.

This is a Red-breasted Merganser, one of the most striking ducks you will see on open water. That spiky crest and bright red eye give it a permanently windswept look, but it is not just for show. Beneath the surface, mergansers are fast, agile hunters that chase fish underwater using their long, narrow bills lined with tiny serrations for gripping slippery prey.

Built for cold, choppy water, they spend much of their time diving rather than dabbling, popping back up with that unmistakable wild hairstyle intact. Proof that sometimes the messiest hair belongs to the most efficient hunters.

12/17/2025

"Neanderthals 400,000 years ago were striking flints to make fires, researchers have found."

Neanderthals 400,000 years ago were striking flints to make fires, researchers have found.

12/16/2025

Watching this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk circle the winter sky in Wisconsin was a reminder of how active the landscape can be even in December. Young Red-tailed Hawks don't develop their red tails until later, but their broad wings and calm, soaring flight are classic.

Cold air, quiet fields, and a hawk overhead is a pretty perfect winter scene.

12/10/2025

Have you ever wondered how bluebirds make it through winter?

Some migrate south, while others stay and search for open fields, berries, and any bit of warmth they can find. Their summer diet of insects shifts to fruits that cling to shrubs and trees long after the leaves are gone.

On the coldest nights, bluebirds gather in sheltered spots to share body heat and wait for sunrise. Even in the quiet of winter, their bright feathers remind us that color and life are always present.

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12/07/2025

One of nature’s most social and playful creatures, river otters have big personalities and even bigger appetites. Often seen in groups called romps, they can be observed hunting and frolicking year-round at Grand Teton National Park.

Photo by Peter Mangolds

12/07/2025

When you see a hawk soaring overhead, there’s a good chance it’s a Red-tailed Hawk. These are the most widespread and familiar large hawks in North America, occurring naturally from coast to coast. Living in so many habitats, they’re also adapted to eat a diverse diet, consisting of voles, rabbits, birds, bats, frogs, and snakes.

12/07/2025

A special visitor out our window today!

This beautiful white-tailed deer paused just long enough to enjoy a quiet moment in the snow and for us to quietly admire her.

Deer tend to be more visible in winter because they move from dense summer forests into more open areas while searching for food. With the leaves gone, they are easier to spot against the snow. It is a nice reminder that wildlife is always nearby, even when the world feels still.

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12/01/2025

Wait… two baby peacocks? One of these is not quite what it seems.

We all love seeing amazing wildlife photos online. Some of them are real and some are created by AI. The bright blue chick in the first photo is AI generated, and the second photo shows what a real baby peafowl looks like in nature.

There is never a reason to feel embarrassed if an image fools you. AI pictures are designed to look convincing. A few gentle clues can help, like checking for colors that are too vibrant, eyes that seem too large, feathers that look painted on, or backgrounds that feel a little off. When something looks a bit too perfect, it can be helpful to take a second look.

Nature is already beautiful on its own. It does not need extra sparkle to be worth appreciating.

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12/01/2025

Did you know that the bright red birds we see in winter are almost always males?

Northern Cardinals are one of the most recognizable birds in North America, with males showing off vibrant red feathers while females wear soft tan and orange tones.

They don't migrate, which is why you can spot them year-round in backyards, forests, and parks. Their clear whistling songs are easy to recognize, and both males and females use them to communicate and defend their territories.

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11/28/2025

DID SOMEBODY SAY ... BLACK BEAR FRIDAY? 🐻

Black bears don’t spend much time shopping, but they do spend fall stocking up on berries, acorns, and anything tasty they can find.

And while everyone else rushes for deals today, black bears are busy building the fat reserves that help them snooze through winter.

If only hibernation counted as a doorbuster!

(P.S. Follow us for more fun nature photos and facts.)