The Wild Life

Podcast

Stardust: Time, Tides, and Theia

IMages with semi-educational captions

Instagram post 2179165347944632862_24150518

Made it official that I am taking the family to #YellowstoneNPS this summer! We will be celebrating 10 years since @teacherwhohikes and I started dating and our 5 year wedding anniversary!!! This is where you come in: what do you recommend we do there? Obviously, we will see Old Faithful, hot springs, and the Snake River. But what else do you recommend for our family vacation? .
.
.
#Yellowstone #Hiking #NationalParks #TripPlanning #TrailChat #FamilyPhoto #FallColors

Instagram post 2178833596634427063_24150518

Yesterday, I did something 100% entirely out of character for me: I took a mental health day. I’ve never done that before. Self-care has never really been my forte. Admittedly, I still worked my butt off, but I took my time at a coffee shop before going out to lunch, and rounding off the day with an accidental nap and a short fall afternoon run through the woods. It was actually really nice! I also did a lot of thinking. I’ve struggled for the better part of the last decade+ with anxiety and depression. Lately, I’ve been struggling more so with both than what has become my norm. However, I’ve come to realize 2 things: 1) I need to allow myself to have fun in the present, and 2) Happiness isn’t the natural result of things like being caught up, successful, more organized, or any of those typical sorts of goals, but instead is the first step on the journey. If You always look at happiness as what comes later, after you’ve met some goal or target, you’ll never reach it, because our measure of success changes with each accomplishment. I’m trying to learn to allow myself to step back, take a breath, and enjoy my moment for what it is. To realize I’m safe. To be grateful. To be present and to refocus on trying to have fun and make people’s day in every way that I can. Right now, I’m lesson planning and writing a podcast episode. I’ve got too much on my plate, for sure. I’m tired and rambling, too, but you know what? It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m having fun and trying to enjoy the little things. Actually...I’m happy 😊. .
.
.
.
#mentalhealth #nature #depressionhelp #selfcare #happiness #happy #depression #anxiety #optoutside #thewildlife #happinessadvantage #running #motivated

Instagram post 2177375633025603485_24150518

Hey! Did you know that nuthatches (like this white-breasted nuthatch) are the only birds that can both walk straight up AND down a tree? That’s crazy! Do you think they know or, one day, they’re just walking while reading the newspaper, look up, and they’re like “dang! I’m walking straight down this thing!”? The world may never know...
.
.
. .
.
. .

#discoverearth #awakethesoul #winteriscoming #animal #hdr #naturephotography #livebravely #wildlife #minnesota #capturemn #captivatemn #north #bird #northwoods #earthcapture #ornithology #birdfacts #explore #discoverwildlife #optoutside #artofvisuals @exploreminnesota #minnesotaexposure #birds

Instagram post 2175963134984372066_24150518

If there is anything that the weather this week has made abundantly (and aggravatingly, bitingly clear), winter is coming. .
.
.
. .

#discoverearth #awakethesoul @captureduluth #winteriscoming #lakesuperior #hdr #naturephotography #landscape #livebravely #minnesota #capturemn #captivatemn #north #northshore #northwoods #earthcapture #wanderlust #adventure #explore #optoutside #artofvisuals @exploreminnesota @minnesotaexposure #lakesuperioritycomplex #gooseberryfalls

Instagram post 2174387385437340318_24150518

Our first time at @galaxyconminneapolis was a frakin blast! I dressed as “depressed Spider-Man” from @spiderversemovie ! So much geekery, all in one place! Plus, I got to meet Catherine Tate and the CREATOR OF THANOS HIMSELF stopped to take a picture of @teacherwhohikes who was cosplaying as him. Plus, live q&a with David Tennant, and @georgehtakei, and we saw tons of people like @realmikecolter, @thejudgegunn, @alexkingstonofficial, and @michael_rooker . Can’t wait to go back! .
.
.
#cosplay #comiccon #geekery #geekculture #popculture #spiderman #doctorwho #theoffice

Instagram post 2173079566234856070_24150518

A torrent of 3,200 gallons per second races over the edge, plummeting 120 feet into a deep gorge and sending a wave of mist back into the sky. You can literally feel the earth move. One tip for visiting that we discovered this last time: stare at on point on the falls for at least 30 seconds before quickly looking over at the rocky cliff side for a crazy optical illusion that makes the rock look like it’s expanding upward. It’s weirdly cool!
. .

#discoverearth #awakethesoul #lakesuperior #hdr #naturephotography #landscape #livebravely #minnesota #capturemn #captivatemn #north #northshore #northwoods #earthcapture #wanderlust #adventure #explore #optoutside #artofvisuals @exploreminnesota @minnesotaexposure #lakesuperioritycomplex #waterfall #highfalls

Instagram post 2171603376697463391_24150518

When in all of the motion I crave stillness, I think of where the two unite— standing with my face against the wind on the edge of Lake Superior.
.
.
.
.

#discoverearth #awakethesoul #lakesuperior #hdr #naturephotography #landscape #livebravely #minnesota #capturemn #captivatemn @captureduluth #north #northshore #northwoods #earthcapture #wanderlust #adventure #explore #optoutside #artofvisuals @exploreminnesota @minnesotaexposure #lakesuperioritycomplex

Instagram post 2171175233134059755_24150518

If you become a member during the November Membership Drive, we'll double your first two months conscious conservation contribution through the Wildlife Ambassadors programs to 20%! Become a member at Patreon.com/TheWildLife
.

If you are reading this, that means, that on some level, you interact with The Wild Life. Maybe you’ve followed since the beginning. Maybe you’re a long time listener. Maybe you follow Devon (that’s me!) on social media and just enjoy basking in the ‘coolness’ that he (I) exudes. Whatever your reason might be for coming across this, we’re talking to you. Yes, you! You, the wonderful human being who is maybe reading this after a hard day at work, or who’s struggling to get out of bed, or who just had the greatest workout of their life, or just saw a bird do that one really weird thing you’ve only seen once before and just want to know why. The person, like all of us, who is flawed, and beautiful, and curious, and smarter than they think. You.

The Wild Life depends on you. Devon (me, again) is a High School science teacher with two young children with a passion project and a dream that is slowly becoming reality. Richard is a space science student with a head full of dreams. We do what we do out of love and an endless drive to chase our curiosity, and in the process, hopefully, inspire you to look at the world around with a little sense of wonder.

Why Now?

Well, we’re growing! Episode downloads are up over 600%! With that comes new needs.

Avid, the company that produces the Pro Tools editing software has a license purchase special discount if 65% bringing the total cost to about $250. That’s the editing software hit podcasts, such as Radiolab, use! Trouble is, that offer only lasts until the end of November.

We NEED it. Just like Richard needs a new microphone and recording setup, and we need to make new merch sample purchases and actual purchases to provide as gifts and promo items. Having these tools is a game changer for us.
.
.
#podcast #blog #education #biology #science #nature #wildlife #thewildlife

Load More... Follow on Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: There is no connected account for the user thewildlife.blog. Feed will not update.

This Month’s Featured Wildlife Ambassador

Sea Turtles! Because they are majestic sea angels that need our help because humans are the worst and only care about themselves and convenience! #bansingleuseplastic #oilcompaniessuck

November Membership Drive!

If you become a member during the November Membership Drive, we’ll double your first two months conscious conservation contribution through the Wildlife Ambassadors programs to 20%!

By Devon Bowker Oct 22, 2019

So, here’s the thing: we, at this moment, are rolling out a new newy thing. It’s super cool—the Wildlife Ambassador program! Basically, when you become a member at Patreon.com/TheWildLife, you … Continue reading Become a Wildlife Ambassador

By Devon Bowker Sep 6, 2019September 6, 2019

Home Is Where The Log Is: A Velvet Worm Short Story

When most people think of Australia, their mind conjures up images of a Mad Maxian landscape—brick red sand blemished with gray-green freckles of saltbrush. Standing tall in a rigid defiance, … Continue reading Home Is Where The Log Is: A Velvet Worm Short Story

By Devon Bowker Aug 14, 2019

Is it a Worm? Is it a Wasp? No! It’s the Elm Sawfly!

This past weekend as I sat below an old oak tree while drinking my morning cup of coffee and looking out on a glassy Lake Darling in Alexandria, Minnesota, something … Continue reading Is it a Worm? Is it a Wasp? No! It’s the Elm Sawfly!

By Devon Bowker Aug 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Sunday Fish Sketch| The Cookiecutter Shark

Prepare to learn about a whole new kind of Cookie Monster on this #SharkWeek themed #SundayFishSketch…and this one glows!

Podcast

The Smell of Rain

A Tell Tale Beetle Romance