A Year of Discovery and Expression

Hello Science and Nature Enthusiasts of 2025!

As I sit on my deck this mid-May morning, sipping a warm cup of coffee, the stillness of the air wraps around me, and I can’t help but lose myself in the vibrant beauty of my backyard. The trees stretch tall, their branches swaying gently as I scan the branches for birds. This year’s most exciting discovery has been the striking Magnolia Warbler, with its pale yellow and soft gray feathers streaked with black. For years, it’s been one of those elusive birds I could only hear, but never see. This spring, though, I finally spotted one—a little victory! What new marvels will the day bring?

It’s been a year brimming with adventure, both in science and in art. I’ve spent countless hours volunteering, met a fascinating array of people, and forged new friendships. Speaking of birds and spring, I had the joy of guiding groups of Master Naturalist students in birdwatching and wildflower identification this April and May. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and their diverse talents—from photography to art and writing—added so much to the experience. Best wishes to this year’s class! I also had the privilege of participating in Earth Day at Eagle Marsh, where I talked to visitors about the water cycle, helped make tree topper stars from sticks and twine at Metea County Park’s Nature’s Christmas event, and guided nature walks along Eagle Marsh’s trails.

Yellow Lady Slippers

Wild Geranium

One of my favorite experiences last summer was volunteering as a Butterfly Monitor with my son at Eagle Marsh. This program, through the Michigan Butterfly Network out of the Kalamazoo Nature Center, was led by the wonderful Russ. We learned how to identify and count butterfly species, track their behaviors, and observe their flight patterns. It was incredible to see and document thousands of butterflies throughout the summer. Unfortunately, butterfly populations are on the decline, so if you’re interested in helping protect these beautiful creatures, I encourage you to visit the Michigan Butterfly Network’s website and learn more about how you can get involved.

Butterflies have truly captured my heart this year, and I’ve delved deep into learning everything I can about them. One of the most fascinating discoveries I made was that butterflies have distinct colors and patterns on the undersides of their wings, quite different from the bright, vibrant tops. The upper wings are designed to attract mates, while the underside, visible when they rest on flowers, features camouflage—sometimes with eye-catching spots meant to deter predators. It’s like they’re sending two contradictory messages at once: one of allure, the other of defense. I spent the summer painting butterflies we found, and even wrote a piece titled "Both Sides" about this intriguing phenomenon. I created art prints and postcards featuring my favorite butterfly sightings, and my son used our experiences to craft his college essay!

Collecting Butterfly Data

Viceroy Butterfly

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly

Another remarkable opportunity came when I participated in a live webinar from the National Science Foundation titled “Live from the Arctic: Unlocking Earth’s Environmental History.” It was a thrilling virtual trip to Greenland, where scientists were studying ice cores from the Arctic tundra. We toured their field tents, saw the drilling equipment up close, and learned how they analyze the age and chemical makeup of the ice. We even had a chance to ask questions, and I couldn’t resist asking how they unwind in such a remote and harsh environment. With laughter, they shared that they bond over games and movies in their downtime. I’ve always wondered about life at a field station, especially one so far from civilization, so it was a thrilling experience to connect with their work—and to share their story through my art and writing.

This past year also saw the completion of my sound project at Metea County Park. After months of recording, I finally captured my last sound for the park’s sound walk in late fall. It’s a beautiful, immersive experience that anyone can enjoy, but I’m still discovering new sounds and adding them to the library. I hope to get involved in more sound projects as the year progresses.

All of these incredible experiences have inspired me in how I share the world of science. I’ve created new letters, filled with illustrations, postcards, maps, field notes, and stickers. I’ve written about butterflies, about weeds and the often-overlooked flowers we deem "unworthy," and about the science taking place near Mount Everest’s base camp at the EV-K2 station. I’ve even explored squirrel studies on Orcas Island in Washington. And, I’ve been working on a new, top-secret story that will be revealed in due time. If you’re feeling curious, check out “OST” at my base camp—see if you can crack the code!

Squirrel Letter "Take Only What You Need"

In addition to my writing, I’ve been busy creating new artwork and am deeply grateful for the chance to share it with the community. I’ve been illustrating beetles and other insects, and crafting original pieces for my shop. I’ve had successful shows at Eco Fest Fort Wayne at Headwaters Park and the Monarch Festival at Eagle Marsh, and I hope to take part in even more events this year to showcase my work. Around Thanksgiving, I had the honor of being featured in PBS’s Arts in Focus, filmed painting at Lindenwood Nature Preserve during the peak of autumn’s colors and was interviewed by the amazing Emilie Henry. It was such a special moment to talk about how nature fuels my creative process.

As we look ahead to another year, I hope it brings you opportunities to explore the world of science and art in whatever form sparks your curiosity. Whether it’s learning about the creatures in your backyard, diving into a book about space, or discovering the wonders of the deep sea—find what inspires you. Here’s to a fantastic summer and a year filled with discovery!

XOXO,

Rachel