-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 4 days, 13 hours ago
Damselflies – Ancient Dainty Flyers
Summers are not complete without watching the aerial acrobatics of dragonflies as they chase down their prey on the wing. And it is always satisfying […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 1 week, 4 days ago
Possum on the Half Shell – Armadillos
The Nine-Banded Armadillo is an amazing creature. From their armor plates, ability to walk long distances, swim when they must, and varied diet, they […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 2 weeks, 3 days ago
The Eyes on This Spider, Oh My!
Most folks who know me, know that I love spiders…and some snakes (cue that song of old), but mostly spiders. And what’s not to love? Like the eyes of […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 2 months ago
Hawks Have to Eat Too – Including Your Backyard Birds
I have lost track of the times I have been asked about ways to discourage hawks from feeding on backyard birds. My standard answer was and remains the […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 2 months, 1 week ago
Ant Lions and Their Pits
The ways that carnivorous animals hunt, capture, and devour their prey can be brutal. This is especially true for insects that have inspired many a […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Rising Above the Piles – Moss Point’s Recovery Begins
Juneteenth 2023 was a day of celebration until an E2 tornado made its way through the River City of Moss Point. As bad as that sounds, the good news […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 3 months ago
Sunbathing Birds
Lots of animals, besides humans, sunbathe. In reality, humans are not that good at it, often causing more harm than good. But most birders and […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 3 months, 1 week ago
Sharpshooters – What’s With the Name of These Leafhoppers?
The etymology, or history behind the names of plants and animals has always been of interest to me, especially when the name reflects something […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Sawgrass – Pretty from Afar, Scratchy Up Close
Common names for many plants and animals reflect something about their physical appearances or key attributes. Sawgrass is certainly one of these, […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Imani's Tree: 2022 vs. 2023
Imani Harper helped plant a tree in Moss Point when she was 12 years old. Now 13, this young lady is growing along with her tree, reaching for the sky […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 4 months ago
What Is a Watershed Anyway?
The concept of a watershed can be overwhelming to comprehend. We may recognize pieces and parts, but the whole is often abstract in our minds. As with […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 4 months, 1 week ago
Burrowing Wolf Spiders – Life Underground
Something about the name burrowing wolf spider just doesn’t sound right, right? We know wolf spiders as creatures that actively pursue their prey – […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Photosynthesis – The Superpower of Plants
We all learned about the power of plants in elementary school when we studied photosynthesis. The word itself points out the basic concept – the p […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 5 months ago
An Earth Day Challenge – About Old Socks
I get maximum use out of my socks – just ask my wife Mary. Holes in the toes do not bother me. In fact, finding a sock without a hole is a challenge i […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 5 months, 1 week ago
Wax Myrtle – So Many Uses
Wax Myrtle is one of my favorite plants. It is one of the most common shrubs across our landscape, able to grow in dry and wet soils, referred to as […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 5 months, 1 week ago
A Cool Fish on Red Creek
Fishing is always interesting because you never really know what may be lurking in the waters into which you cast your bait. Surprises are always fun, […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Black Needlerush – a Well-Named Plant
Tidal marshes of the northern Gulf of Mexico are dominated by one species of plant – Black Needlerush. If you pay any attention as you drive by or o […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Green Arrow Arum – More Than Just a Pretty Plant
So many native plants in our world have uses to humans besides their appearance. In our modern world we are largely focused on how they look in the […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 6 months ago
Blueberry Riches of South Mississippi
Blueberries are a favorite fruit for so many of us, especially when in season and available from local orchards and markets. As with many common […]
-
Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. wrote a new post 6 months, 1 week ago
A Community Helps Build Their Park
Making a connection between people and a place is not complicated if you invite them to make it their own. That is the plan as the newest park in Moss […]
- Load More