The hottest Natural History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The 350 Million Year Old Shriek

Everything Is Amazing • 1398 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. The Tully Monster is a 310‑million‑year‑old marine fossil that looks utterly bizarre and still baffles scientists, with debates over whether it was a fish, a worm, or something else entirely.
  2. Everyday pebbles can hide ancient fossils like crinoids that trick our brains into seeing faces or teeth — pareidolia makes us read familiar shapes into random patterns.
  3. Ailsa Craig supplies a unique granite used for Olympic curling stones, and with only one other quarry in the world, the sport relies on a tiny, protected island whose quarrying is now limited.

Manjula Martin Tells Us

Cheryl Strayed • 6368 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Natural History
  1. Manjula Martin shares about the importance of taking advice, whether it turns out to be good or bad.
  2. Her book, 'The Last Fire Season,' explores the wildfire crisis in the American West and personal experiences.
  3. Manjula talks about personal transformation and the joy of roller skating, pointing out the value of trying slow and rounding up when it comes to pain.

Mount St. Helens - An Awful Place

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 499 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Mount St. Helens had a huge eruption in 1980, which produced a lot of dramatic scientific observations and remarkable descriptions. Scientists used strong words to convey the massive impact of the event.
  2. The landscape at Mount St. Helens has undergone significant changes since the eruption, showing how nature can recover and adapt after destruction. Visitors can see new growth, diverse plants, and wildlife returning to the area.
  3. The experience of visiting Mount St. Helens is filled with awe and inspiration. It's a reminder of nature's power and resilience, making it a special place for reflection and appreciation.

Death Comes to the Beach

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. A small bird was saved from a drainage pipe, showcasing the joy of saving wildlife. It’s a reminder that nature can surprise us and that we can make a difference.
  2. Opalescent squid lay their eggs in clusters that wash ashore, but most will die out of water. This highlights the fragility of marine life and how conditions affect their survival.
  3. Pelagic gooseneck barnacles live on floats in the ocean but end up on shore after they die. Their life cycle shows the interesting connections between different marine creatures and their environments.

Things I Like About Geology

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 439 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Geology shows us that a lot of Earth's history is missing in the rocks we see. For example, not all ancient events are recorded, which creates a unique beauty in how landscapes look today.
  2. The constant fight between uplift and erosion shapes our mountains. Mountains grow tall, but erosion, through water and wind, continuously wears them down, making them more interesting.
  3. Geology helps us understand deep time but also captures small moments in history. Trace fossils show us detailed actions of past life, connecting us to individual stories from millions of years ago.
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Neanderthals in the House

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. A person found part of a jawbone while visiting their parents' house, and it could be related to ancient humans like Neanderthals. This discovery shows that fossils can be hidden in unexpected places, even in our homes.
  2. Many buildings, like the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, are made from a stone called travertine that has preserved fossils of leaves and other plants. This means you can see ancient life without going to a museum.
  3. Cities like Seattle are full of building stones with hidden fossils, encouraging people to look closer at their surroundings. Exploring urban areas can reveal fascinating pieces of our natural history.

Wolverine: The Creature Most Voracious

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 06 Jun 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Wolverines are known for their huge appetites and can eat a lot of food at once. They are so gluttonous that they can overeat and need to find narrow spaces to relieve themselves.
  2. These animals have a varied diet and are both hunters and scavengers, eating everything from birds to rodents. They do face tough winter conditions without hibernating, relying on their hunting skills.
  3. People often view wolverines negatively, calling them destructive and cunning. However, they are simply doing what they need to survive in harsh environments and shouldn't be unfairly blamed.

Dungeness Spit

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History
  1. Dungeness Spit is a five-mile-long sandy spit named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, originally known as Tsi-tsa-kwick by the S’Klallam people. It's interesting how names can connect us to history and culture.
  2. This spit is about 5,000 years old and was formed as glaciers melted, causing the land to rise and create new sediment. Nature shows us how changes over time can create beautiful landscapes.
  3. Dungeness Spit is always changing, with natural forces moving materials like rocks and logs. It's a reminder of how dynamic and alive our natural world is, constantly evolving and adapting.

Rattler Killing Roadrunners

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Natural History
  1. Roadrunners are not just cartoon characters; they're real birds that are beautiful and have unique colors. They can be seen running around in their natural habitat, which is pretty thrilling.
  2. These birds are skilled hunters and eat various creatures, including rattlesnakes. They even have clever methods to catch their prey, like using cholla pads.
  3. Roadrunners have a fascinating relationship with humans and many legends surrounding them. They are known to bring good luck and can even help lost travelers find their way.

Nelson in the Arctic. Polar bears, geese, and filled breeches.

The Common Reader • 744 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💾 History Natural History
  1. Young Nelson went to the Arctic at just 15 years old, which was unusual for boys his age. His strong desire and connections helped him join the expedition.
  2. The journey was filled with challenges, like navigating thick fog and ice that could crush their ships. Weather changed constantly, making it tough to travel.
  3. Despite the harsh conditions and dangers, the crew encountered wildlife and gathered supplies. They had to work hard and cooperate to survive in the icy environment.

Dead Trees Tell No Lies

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 419 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Certain dead trees in the Pacific Northwest help scientists learn about a major earthquake that happened about 1,100 years ago. The trees died due to seismic events, not fire or disease.
  2. Researchers used growth rings from these trees to narrow down the date of the earthquake to around 923 or 924 CE. This discovery helps understand what could happen in future earthquakes.
  3. The study shows how dedicated scientists work hard to solve mysteries in nature. Their findings can help with planning and improving safety in areas prone to earthquakes.

Tails of the City: Part 2

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 259 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Horsetails have existed since the time of dinosaurs and are among the oldest plants on Earth. They haven’t changed much over millions of years, making them fascinating survivors.
  2. While horsetails are often seen as garden pests, they have historical importance and have been used by various cultures for food and tools. However, some parts can be toxic, especially to horses.
  3. There is a common myth that horsetails can accumulate gold, but research shows they actually indicate arsenic. They are good at collecting silica, which gives them their nickname as 'scouring rush'.

Erratic Behavior

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Erratic rocks are large stones left behind by glaciers when the ice melts. They can be quite big, even the size of a school bus.
  2. Some famous erratics, like the Wedgwood Rock in Seattle, have interesting histories and have been popular spots for locals for many years.
  3. The study of these erratics helped scientists like Goethe understand the Ice Age and how rocks traveled long distances due to ice.

Science giveth and science taketh away

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 366 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Science has advanced a lot since Darwin's time, but we often miss the wonder and excitement that comes with these discoveries. It seems like people today are less amazed by scientific progress than they used to be.
  2. Darwin proposed that evolution happens through natural selection, but he didn’t fully explain how traits are passed down. Later scientists combined genetics with evolution to better understand how traits vary across generations.
  3. Today, understanding evolution requires recognizing four main forces: mutation, migration, selection, and drift. These forces shape the genetic diversity that fuels evolution.

The Bird with the Silent P

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. White-tailed ptarmigan are unique birds that live in cold, high-altitude areas. They change color from brown in summer to white in winter, helping them blend into their snowy environment.
  2. These birds have feathered feet that act like snowshoes, making it easier for them to walk on snow rather than fly. This adaptation helps them conserve energy in their harsh habitat.
  3. Indigenous knowledge about wildlife, like the ptarmigan's snowshoe ability, is being recognized as valuable by scientists. There's so much to learn from traditional understanding of nature.

The Giddiness of Time

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Time is deep and vast, stretching back billions of years. This history has shaped our planet and the life on it, making it so fascinating to explore.
  2. Certain rocks, like the Morton Gneiss, are incredibly old and hold stories about the Earth's early days. Touching these rocks can help us connect to that ancient time.
  3. Geological processes, like plate tectonics, have changed over the ages. Understanding when these processes began gives us insight into the Earth's past and how it has evolved.

Finding Glaciers in the West

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History
  1. In the 1800s, scientists believed there were no glaciers in the U.S. outside of Alaska until Clarence King discovered them in the Cascades. This was a surprising revelation since people had been aware of glaciers in places like Switzerland long before.
  2. Many explorers and writers, including Native guides, had actually seen and written about the glaciers in the Cascades before King announced their existence. Their contributions were often overlooked by later scientists.
  3. Today, glaciers are rapidly disappearing due to climate change. In the future, people may react with similar excitement if glaciers are found in the U.S. again, as there will be very few left.

Street Smart Naturalist: 2022 in Review

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History
  1. The newsletter author focuses on diverse topics related to nature, urban life, and history to engage readers and spark curiosity. They enjoy sharing new discoveries and fun facts.
  2. The most popular newsletters of the year include stories about coyotes in Seattle, urban geography, and local wildlife, showing a blend of personal experiences and broader observations.
  3. The author appreciates feedback from readers and plans to continue creating engaging content in 2023. They invite suggestions for future topics and express gratitude for the support received.

Ghosts and Orphans

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. In the Ghost Forest of Copalis Beach, dead trees tell an interesting geological story. They died after the land sank and got flooded by seawater, a mystery that took almost 300 years to solve.
  2. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, where two tectonic plates meet, causes major earthquakes. These earthquakes can create tsunamis, like the one in 1700 that affected Japan and was linked to the dead trees in Washington.
  3. Studying old records and nature helps us understand our history better. It shows how geology impacts human life and reminds us to respect the natural world we live in.

Geology Did That

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Geology significantly shapes Seattle's landscape and environment, influencing everything from its hills to earthquake risks. People in Seattle often experience the effects of geology in their daily lives.
  2. The Seattle Fault Zone has raised old rocks to the surface, creating unique topographic features like hills and anomalies. These geological formations, such as Alki Point, showcase interesting sediment history.
  3. Seattle is home to several notable hills that have historical significance and provide great views. They are not only beautiful but also tell the story of the region's geological past.

Good Golly Miss Holly

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Natural History
  1. The English holly, originally from Europe, has become a common but invasive plant in Seattle parks. It was promoted by a socialite and children planting seeds in the early 20th century.
  2. Though hollies are pretty and provide winter berries, they choke out native plants and animals, spreading easily and causing ecological harm.
  3. Many efforts have been made to control this invasive plant, but it continues to thrive and pose challenges in green spaces around Seattle.

Perchers, Pokers, and Pests

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 07 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History
  1. Utility poles have a long history, starting as telegraph poles in the mid-1800s, and now there are about 150 million in the U.S. today. They're an essential part of our modern infrastructure, holding up power and communication lines.
  2. Many animals, like birds and squirrels, use utility poles for perching and nesting. However, this can be dangerous, as birds often get electrocuted or collide with wires.
  3. Utility poles can impact the environment negatively due to toxic treatments for protection against decay. Clean-up of these toxins is ongoing and often goes unnoticed, just like the poles themselves.

Return to the Ice Age

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 03 Feb 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History
  1. The Last Glacial Maximum was a time when massive glaciers covered large areas, shaping the landscape we see today. It would have been incredible to witness the immense Missoula floods that occurred then.
  2. During the last ice age, the area now known as the Puget lowland was completely different, with thick ice sheets and unique ecosystems. When the ice melted, it brought about a variety of fascinating animals and plants.
  3. Today, we live in a much warmer climate, which contrasts sharply with the icy world of the past. Understanding this history helps us appreciate the changes in our environment.

Urban Scavenger Hunt

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Natural History
  1. Urban scavenger hunts can help you discover unique items in your neighborhood. Look out for fossils in old buildings and carved animals on facades.
  2. Take note of remnants of the past like hitching posts and ghost signs. These tell stories about the history of the area and how it has changed over time.
  3. Pay attention to local plants and geology as you explore. You might find native trees, interesting lichen, or clues about old water features that still exist beneath the city.

Through the Eyes of Specialists

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
🔬 Science Natural History
  1. Getting out in nature with specialists allows for a deeper understanding of ecosystems. Their knowledge helps reveal the small but important changes in the environment that we might not otherwise notice.
  2. Stocking fish in high lakes is a rewarding and careful process. It's fulfilling to see fish thrive in their new homes, especially when they bring joy to future anglers.
  3. Geology is complex, and even simple rocks can hide fascinating histories. Experts can help us understand the geological stories behind the landscapes we see.