After a few years of enjoying Japanese Onsens, I never thought I would find anything comparable, no less an experience that might surpass it. As
Author: Waunder
A writer, traveler, and heart-felt hobbyist. I treasure good food, nature, and beautiful things.
Yes! “Unsung heroes? How hoverflies play key pollination role”
Just posted: a new article about the role that Hoverflies play in pollination and how they will (and do) help to balance the work of
Up close: Two Snails & a Slug
1. Roman Snail Spotted during the rainy days of April, this gastropoda snail is called Helix pomotia (Family: Helicidae) and is apparently edible as a
Japanese Onsen – In Love with the Low-Key Day Spa Experience
A day at the spa is probably considered among the pinnacle of relaxing activities, with the primping of massages and manicures producing a polished sheen
Bug-Hunting on a Cold Mid-Spring Afternoon – They need shelter too!
We just got past the three days of the “Ice Saints” and the polar vortex still lingers for several days. It feels as though Spring
Best Coffee Alternative: Roasted Yerba Mate
It was 20010 when I was first handed a small gourd lined with a metal rim and offered to share a sip of tea using
Rhubarb & Broccoli: Tasty Savory Sour Soup!
It was on a whim that I bought stalk of Rhubarb for the first time. With no idea how I was going to cook with
Macro shots: 5 Ladybirds of SW Germany
7-Spotted Ladybird The biggest feature of this lovely ladbybird is the heart shape pointed towards the heart, held up by two white half-circles as though
Macro shots: Butterflies & Moths of SW Germany
Pieridae Butterflies Orange Tip – Anthocharis cardamines LHPs include: Cuckoo FLower (Cardamines pratensis); Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata); Tower Cress (Arabis turrita); Honesty Plant (Lunaria annua);
Book Review: “Nature Anatomy” by Julia Rothman
Why do you need a book about Nature Anatomy on your bookshelf? I bought it to inspire my kid to learn about nature, but it’s
European Nettles & Look-alike Friends
Stinging Nettle & Protein Soup The most familiar Nettle known among children is the dreaded Stinging Nettle. Whether walking along a path with ankles exposed,
Eccentric Spice Mixes for Hearty Cauliflower Dishes
1. Cauliflower “Salatkraut” Soup Starting with 2-3 leeks, cuts them into quarters, then slice into 1 inch pieces. Chop up Green Onions into smaller pieces,
Macro shots: 30 Bugs from SW Germany
Ladybugs 7-Spotted 14 Spotted Hyaline Grass Bug This bug somewhat looks like a stinkhorn; however, it is distinguished by its thickly tipped antennae and the
A Visual tour of Bees, Wasps, & Hoverflies in SW Germany
In the last two months, I’ve regretted every moment that I went outside without a camera. It’s since become a permanent feature on my head-swiveling
A walk through the village in Spring.
Pictures taken in Sudwestpfalz, Germany in Mid-April.
Two German Spice Mixes for a Hearty Meal
1. Pesto Flavored Noodles Mix with 1 part spice to 1 part Parmesan with a bit of water to swell, then stir into a creamy
Kid’s Book Review: “How the Goldfinch got his Colors”
Reading about real world Goldfinches has only made me appreciate our latest children’s book about how the rainbow colored Goldfinch got it’s colors. As I
Guide to Nature Identification Apps: Part I
“PictureThis: Identify Plant, Flower, Weed, and More.” As an amaeuter naturalist, I am constantly scanning the surrounding area for birds, plants, insects, mushrooms, and more.
Waunder 