The Old Naturalist

Brandon is a teacher. Eric is a retired real estate title examiner. What do they have in common? A shared love for the natural history of Northwest Ohio. In The Old Naturalist you'll learn about some of the luminaries of Toledo area conservation, some current trends in environmental news, whether Eric can remember the birds, bees, or butterflies, and occasionally what beer or whiskey they would recommend you try. The Old Naturalist is a light hearted, easy listen for any nature lover.

Natural Sciences Science

Update frequency: every 7 days
Average duration: 19 minutes
Episodes: 63
Years Active: 2023 - 2025

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What's Your Favorite Bird Part II

In a follow up to last week's episode, Brandon takes a shot and answering the impossible question. Listen in to see what is his favorite bird! Episode art provided by friend Jamie Cunningham.

00:10:30 | Thu 17 Oct 2024

What's Your Favorite Bird Part I

Every birder has been asked this question a million times. The reality is it's an impossible one to answer for a serious birder. But why let that stop us! In Part I, Eric attempts this Herculean tas…

00:11:28 | Thu 10 Oct 2024

October's Orchid: Putty-root

The Old Naturalist may just turn Brandon into an orchid hunter yet. This month's edition to the boys' continuing series on Oak Openings native orchids is kind of an oddball. Listen in to learn all ab…

00:18:34 | Thu 03 Oct 2024

The Big Butterfly Quiz

Neither Eric or Brandon claim to be butterfly experts. But they think they're pretty! So the Old Naturalist put together a quiz that includes some of our more common butterflies. See if you can beat …

00:26:06 | Thu 26 Sep 2024

Great Plains Ladies Tresses

September's edition of the orchids of Oak Openings is Great Plains Ladies Tresses. In addition to being a rather showy orchid, this one has the added benefit of being located by scent. So get the det…

00:21:30 | Thu 19 Sep 2024

Book Review: The Birds Audubon Missed

In this week's episode Brandon and Eric discuss the recent publication The Birds Audubon Missed by Kenn Kaufman. Listen in to see how the boys liked the read, and whether you might want to delve into…

00:25:31 | Thu 12 Sep 2024

Confusing Fall Warblers

Certain groups of birds can be very frustrating for even the best of birder. Shorebirds, gulls, sparrows all have their challenges. But the warbler family presents birders with many identification ch…

00:16:55 | Thu 05 Sep 2024

The Rare Bird Alert Hotline

The times they are a changin'. They always are. And sharing bird sightings, like anything else, has been impacted by those changes. Listen in to see how birders in Northwest Ohio used to get their in…

00:15:04 | Thu 29 Aug 2024

The Hearing Only Big Day

Eric Durbin has been known to occasionally have some questionable ideas. Today's episode is perhaps one of those examples. Listen in to learn all about his suggestions to do a hearing only big day. I…

00:08:13 | Thu 22 Aug 2024

D's Get Degrees

In August's edition of Three for Thursday's, the Old Naturalist will attempt once again to pass the test. Ever the minimalist, Eric will be happy to pass with a score of 2 out of 3. See if you can to…

00:11:25 | Thu 15 Aug 2024

Nancy's Wildflower Quiz

Friend and horticulturist Nancy Bucher stops by to educate and potentially humble the boys with a quiz on wildflowers. Play along to see if you know more then the Old Naturalist!

00:17:27 | Thu 08 Aug 2024

August's Orchid: Spotted Coral Root

August offers naturalists in Northwest Ohio a variety of adventures. Shorebirds will be on the move south, along big flocks of purple martins and a variety of winged migrants. But today's episode foc…

00:23:01 | Thu 01 Aug 2024

The Birds of Costa Rica

As Brandon gears up for his second trip to the tropics he thought he'd see if the Old Naturalist remembers his Costa Rican birds. See how well you fair in another addition of Three (or Four) for Thur…

00:20:32 | Thu 25 Jul 2024

Greg Links to the Rescue!

What does Brandon do when Eric plans to quiz him over local reptiles and amphibians? He calls his other buddy Greg to be his lifeline. In this episode Greg and Brandon talk through Eric's inquisition…

00:17:16 | Thu 18 Jul 2024

The Bird Name Game

The changing of bird names continues to be a source of interest (and consternation) for the boys, so Eric decided to write up a little quiz that centers around some bird names from the past. And alth…

00:14:47 | Thu 11 Jul 2024

On the Fringes

In another monthly orchid installment, the Old Naturalist schools Brandon on not one, but two orchids native to the Oak Openings. But hold on to your hats because with these beautiful plants you got …

00:13:46 | Thu 04 Jul 2024

E.L. Moseley's Tomato Soup Recipe

In this episode Eric takes Brandon way back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries to discuss one of his naturalist heroes: Edwin Lincoln Moseley. Although Eric never met Moseley, his impact on No…

00:22:36 | Thu 27 Jun 2024

Three Wildflowers and a Tree

It's quiz time again! But for this go round Brandon was too lazy to come up with any questions so he enlisted the help of someone far more qualified: Nancy Bucher. Listen in to see if Eric continues …

00:17:29 | Thu 20 Jun 2024

The Queen of the Pleistocene

A tom boy. A nautical nut. A very curious mind. All may be apt descriptions of geologist Jane Forsythe. In this episode Eric fondly remembers a serious scientist who made a serious impression on him …

00:21:11 | Thu 13 Jun 2024

June's Orchid: Grass Pink

The parade of beautiful orchids continues as Eric tells us all about the Grass Pink orchid this month. This showy orchid is one you'll want to seek out, and the Old Naturalist has a couple of suggest…

00:13:39 | Thu 06 Jun 2024

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