Jean Wirth

After 9/11, thousands of rescue and cleanup crews went to work at ground zero. They were exposed to toxic debris and experienced psychological trauma. Today, many say they live in fear of deportation. n.pr/4xPdcvp

Public libraries are fighting book bans, funding cuts, political interference, and harassment of librarians. Meanwhile, publishers are worried that libraries are lending too many ebooks. This week’s newsletter: Read the Room. roncharles.substack.com/p/libraries-...

Not too big, not too small, but just right. A house sparrow enjoys the cap of a rain gauge. #birds #maryland

*Why Gardens Matter* New post on the South Peninsula Nature Alliance site Sign up to my newsletter as I figure out better ways of saving species in a global biodiversity hotspot, which includes my own backyard #conservation #climate #capetown adamwelz.ghost.io/why-gardens-...

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

The beaver was walking along the edge of a small lake in our community this morning. It’s the first one I’ve seen here, and it’s the closest I’ve ever been to a beaver. #nature #beaver #maryland

We blamed a squirrel for digging in a pot on the porch & making a mess, so we covered the dirt with a plastic lid. But it was a Carolina wren, who tried to remove the lid & then came to the window, complaining. So we provided it with its own dirt bath. #birds #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

The native plant garden is very green and lush this year. Plants are relocating themselves and it’s looking more like a prairie than a garden. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Sizing up the competition. Male Eastern bluebird. #birds #maryland #bluebird

Our front yard garden path. 🥰 #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

For some reason I never cut flowers to bring into the house. But this morning, one flower with a long enough stem had broken off, so I cut a few more to join it. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

A fritillary butterfly enjoyed the coneflower nectar for hours yesterday. When it moved on an Eastern yellow swallowtail came for hours. They were the only butterflies I saw, but they’re beautiful and it made me feel good that we had provided for them. #nativeplants #gardening #butterflies #maryland

Only one Eastern Yellow Swallowtail butterfly shows up occasionally and the one fritillary must have died, or moved on. I’m afraid the beebalm won’t last long in this heat. Plant #nativeplants #gardening #nature #maryland #butterflies

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Five years ago, when we moved here, the front yard was a typical suburban pesticide-laced deadzone of grass. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Last year when I noticed little purple flowers in our lawn, we stopped mowing that area and now have a pretty cluster of Common Selfheal. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

Wood chips have been flying since the pileated woodpecker discovered insects in the rails of our fence. #birds #nature #maryland

Fleabane is one of those “weeds” that shows up on its own in my Maryland garden and looks glorious when left to grow as it desires. Later in the summer other perennials will add some color. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

It didn’t take long for our new rain barrel to fill up during yesterday’s gully washer. Yikes! #stormwatermanagement #rainbarrels #gardening #maryland

The front yard pollinator garden has filled in and is glorious. Only a few blossoms right now but many buds. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

A black crowned night heron focused on breakfast. It was a nice surprise on our morning walk. #birds #maryland #nature

Goldfinches like to drink from the tiny water holder on the top of the hummingbird feeder. #birds #maryland

The spring garden is filling in. Baptisia, Golden Alexander, and Prairie Ninebark. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

We have counted birds for Project Feeder Watch for 18 years. #birds #maryland

A portion of the front yard pollinator garden. I enjoy this time when there is so much promise. It’s filling in nicely, though mostly because of the misbehaving obedient plants. #nativeplants #gardens #maryland

Waiting for hummingbirds. Coral honeysuckle. #nativeplants #gardening #maryland

A White-Breasted Nuthatch looking for insects on a dead branch of a dying oak tree. #birds #maryland #nature

A Common Grackle soaking up some rays. #birds #maryland

I guess this Red Bellied Woodpecker was enjoying the early evening sun because it perched in the oak tree for nearly half an hour. #birds #nature

Yesterday’s snow brought a lot of birds to the feeders. All the species get along, with the birds patiently waiting their turn. #birds #maryland

We’ve been in this house for 5 years, and the chipmunks have finally found us. A chipmunk always makes me smile. 😊 #nature #maryland

Even hawks appreciate a saucer of water. A red-tailed hawk, I think. #birds #hawks #maryland #nature

Don’t forget to shovel snow away from fire hydrants. A fire doubles in size every minute. You don’t want firefighters spending precious minutes getting access to a fire hydrant when your house, or a neighbor’s house is on fire.

A sweet black capped chickadee is thankful for the water. #birds #nature #projectfeederwatch

We rarely see a red-breasted nuthatch but this one showed up for Christmas morning breakfast. #birds #maryland #projectfeederwatch

It was a cold morning yesterday when this photo was taken through the window. The sweet little blueborbs are happy for the ice-free water. #birds #bluebirds #maryland

The cold weather has brought lots of birds to the feeders and birdbaths. House sparrows were enjoying spa baths yesterday, but most birds are happy getting a drink. #birds #maryland #projectfeederwatch

A little overnight snow has provided white caps for the monarda. #nativeplants #maryland

A green lacewing spent the day hanging out on the glass storm door. #insects #nature

There have not been many butterflies around my Maryland garden for the past few weeks, so I was thrilled to have this swallowtail drop by. 🌱 #nativeplants #butterflies

I saw this pretty little moth on my morning walk. iNaturalist says it’s likely a pale beauty moth. #moths #nature

Perched on the crook that holds the hummingbird feeder, the female Ruby throated hummingbird is alert for incoming competition. #birds

Wingstem flowers are brightening up the garden, but the drought has all the leaves on the 6-8 foot stems drooping down. #nativeplants 🌱

The Ruby throated hummingbird, perched on the honeysuckle vine, appears to be enjoying the morning drizzle from the protection of the porch. #birds #nativeplants

The bees and I are thankful for the late season blue mist flowers. 🌱 #nativeplants

Big, strong bumblebees can force open the tight flowers of the turtlehead plant. 🌱 #nativeplants

A race against time. The first chrysalis I have ever seen in the garden! But why did the caterpillar select a dying leaf on a dying plant?! (Nearly all of the showy goldenrod plants are dying from rust, I think.) 🌱 #nativeplants #monarch