To ensure they are attracted to your yard, set out the welcome mat. Create a habitat or environment that combines sources of food, water, shelter and space. With the proper landscaping, nature's creatures will want to stop and stay a spell.

"I'm a gardener, so all this comes naturally to me. Creating the habitat is part of my life's mission, really. My husband and I are involved with the local humane society and we try to help where we can. With our population growing so quickly, the land is falling to development all the time. We still need space for wildlife. I believe that one individual can make a difference, that one back yard can make all the difference," said Nancy Alexander of Redlands, CA (shown here).

Alexander isn't alone in her beliefs. She and her husband, Cliff, bought their present home eight years ago.

The former owner of the house told them that the yard was certified as a backyard habitat... Read On

Wrong!

As more and more natural wildlife habitats are transformed into housing developments and shopping malls, wildlife often has to resort to alternative methods of finding food. Some have invaded towns and gardens, and some have starved to death. Landowners are realizing the need for wildlife management and, to that end, are beginning to plant more wildlife food plots. (Bobwhite Quail)

Some plots are planted to encourage animals to remain on a piece of land designated for hunting, some for looks and some for food. Larry Weil of Lexington, SC is one of a few full-time food plot planters/managers in The T&D Region.

“I got into this business because I really like doing this type of work. It’s great to do what you love, knowing that some don’t have the time or equipment to manage their property,” Weil said.

For the past three years, Weil has been... Read On

Due to federal protection, American Oystercatcher sightings are no longer a rarity along their coastal range. The family of oystercatchers consists of seven different species. Most species prefer the warmer tropical climates; however, two species breed along the coast of North America. The black oystercatcher prefers the habitat of the Pacific Coast, while the American Oystercatcher inhabits the Atlantic coastline. (An American Oystercatcher probes for food in photo by Brian Small)

After decades of hunting, the American Oystercatcher was near extinction along the Atlantic Coast. Fortunately, the over-hunting was recognized and the bird received complete federal protection before it was too late, although it was still a number of years before reports of oystercatcher sightings occurred with any regularity. For many years, a sighting of an American Oystercatcher was a rare event.

The American Oystercatcher is a medium-sized shorebird. Overall, the bird measures about 18 inches in length with a stocky body structure. By far the most distinguishing characteristics of the American Oystercatcher are its large yellow eyes, circled by an orange ring, and the long reddish-orange bill. The bird's head and neck plumage is deep black, while the wings and back are predominately brown with a white bar on the wings. The feathered chest and lower body is bright white, with reddish pink legs and feet completing the striking appearance of this boldly colored bird.

As with many shorebirds, sightings of the American Oystercatcher happen along... Read On

For more nature photographs, see
the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog.

Usually he's the "Bluebird of Happiness" but here he appears ruffled and disgusted with the onset of colder weather in this reproduction of the photograph by Michael L. Smith. This is one of the most famous nature photographs ever created and originally was seen in a National Geographic Society birding book.

Here it has been reproduced on 12-oz. porcelain mugs that are microwave and dishwasher safe. Makes a terrific gift! See more gift ideas in the Nature Shop

"In our experience, if a cat had been... Read On