Nature can be deceiving. To understand it, you’ve got to stop the mad rush of life, smell the proverbial roses, sit calmly and watch.
But nature itself, on a summer’s day, is anything but calm and relaxed. So says biologist Bernd Heinrich in his new book, “Summer World.”
Birds, bees, plants and sharp-toothed mammals stick by a tight schedule. They have hidden agendas and trade secrets. They perform tasks and duties as diligently as any hard-working farmer.
This hour, On Point: The world of summer, with naturalist Bernd Heinrich.
You can join the conversation. Are you paying attention? What’s going on outside your window? Tell us what you think — here on this page, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
-Jane Clayson, guest host
Guest:
Joining us in our studio is Bernd Heinrich, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Vermont and a contributor to Scientific American, American Scientist, Audubon and Outside. He’s the author of many books, including “Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival.” His new book is “Summer World: A Season of Bounty.”
Read Heinrich’s introduction to “Summer World” (pdf).
Tags: books, climate change, ecology, global warming, nature
I have a pair of bluejays building a nest in a rhododendron bush only 3 feet outside my living room window — quite a show. Any advice on whether I need to take care not to scare them away?
Posted by John Allen, on April 17th, 2009 at 10:37 am EDTToday’s program with Dr.Heinrich was great. I am one of those nature watchers. I am so anxious to get out NH rustic camp and explore the woods and garden to see what birds have returned to nest. thanks so much for stimulating broadcasting.
Posted by Judith Kee, on April 17th, 2009 at 11:01 am EDTI am a Connecticut Shoreliner, who recently relocated to Southern Quebec. We have two wasp nests on our property. One up high near the roof line of the house and another in the old chicken coop. Since I am hoping to use the coop for laying hens this year, I would like to remove the wasp nest. I am terrified of getting swarmed and I have heard that they return to the same location if there is any residue of their former nest. Should I call in a professional?
Posted by Jenny, on April 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am EDTHello, love your show’s podcast. Lately the show is being repeated multiple times. For example, the ‘Summer World’ show was repeatedly downloaed 6-7 times. I’m using itunes.
This has been happening for quite some time. Perhaps the podcast technicians can fix this problem? It just takes up more bandwidth than it should.
Thanks and keep up the good work on the show!
Mike
Posted by Mike, on April 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am EDTAh, Summertime! I am happy to say that I still have my prostate for the summer. OnPoint and WBUR posted on the internet that I had it removed because of cancer. They are so, so wrong!!
Posted by Phil Bovenzi, on April 20th, 2009 at 12:39 am EDT