Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 2) - A "Hike" with Sandy Geffner
Part 2 of our time in the woods with naturalist Sandy Geffner. This time, Sandy leads Steve and Bill on a “hike”—though with Sandy, the word takes on a different meaning. You might not cover much distance, but you’ll travel miles in understanding: exploring ecology and hearing stories of the forest and the wildlife within it. Enjoy!This episode was recorded on July 21, 2025 at JP Nicely Memorial Park in West Falls, NY.Episode Notes and LinksSandy’s favorite books: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard. But we feel that we have to call ourselves out here because we’ve been critical of Simard’s work before and maybe we should’ve brought this up with Sandy during the episode (but we obviously didn’t have the stones). For a deep dive into some of the criticisms of Simard’s word, check out the In Defense of Plants podcast’s series of episodes that starts here. Or this article by three professors who’ve spent their careers studying forest fungi. Sponsors and Ways to Support UsThank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Photo CreditThe Natural Side of UB by Robby Johnson
--------
42:20
--------
42:20
Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 1) - A Conversation with Sandy Geffner
What exactly is a “naturalist”? Spend a little time with Sandy Geffner, and you’ll find out. Steve and Bill rarely go more than an episode or two without mentioning him—a naturalist who profoundly shaped both their lives. This month, they head into the woods to talk with Sandy about how a baseball-loving kid from Long Island became someone who’s inspired countless people to deepen their connection with the natural world.This episode was recorded on July 21, 2025 at JP Nicely Memorial Park in West Falls, NY.Episode Notes and LinksEarth Spirit Educational Services Rogers Environmental CenterThe State University of NY at Buffalo’s Dept. of Environment and SustainabilitySandy’s UB Faculty PageSantee Sioux ReservationStony Kill Farm Environmental Education CenterTifft Nature PreserveCayuga Nature Center / TreetopsSponsors and Ways to Support UsThank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Photo CreditSUNY at Buffalo
--------
1:05:50
--------
1:05:50
Ep. 74 - Like A Sturgeon
It’s hard to believe, but we’re doing another episode on fish! This time around, Steve introduces us to the Sturgeon (family Acipenseridae), from their dinosaur-era origins to their caviar-fueled scandals (did you know Beluga caviar comes from Sturgeon? Bill didn’t either). So strap in as the guys touch on Sturgeon, for the very first time. This episode was recorded on June 29, 2025 at Eighteenmile Creek County Park in Hamburg, NY.Episode Notes and LinksComing soon!Sponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Works CitedComing soon…Photo CreditBeluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) photo by Максим Яковлєв. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%91%D1%96%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0_(Huso_huso).jpg
--------
48:23
--------
48:23
Bonus - The Spark Bird Podcast x The Field Guides Podcast
In this special bonus episode we're crossing over with The Spark Bird Podcast! (@sparkbirdproject)Bill joins one of the hosts of the Spark Bird Project podcast, Jenn Lodi-Smith, to go birding in Buffalo’s historic Forest Lawn Cemetery, sharing spark bird stories, conservation efforts for migration, and the joy of birding in community.You’ll also hear reflections from folks at the Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo (@fbc.buf) May the Spark Be with You outing, all recorded on-site at Forest Lawn Cemetery. This episode is a celebration of connection, accessibility, conservation, and the shared love of birds that brings us all together.This episode was recorded on May 4, 2025 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.Episode Notes and LinksThe Spark Bird ProjectThe Spark Bird PodcastThe Femenist Bird Club BuffaloSponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Visit thefieldguidespodcast.com for full episode notes, links, and works cited.
--------
56:03
--------
56:03
Ep. 73 - The Dawn Chorus (Part 2)
Bill and Steve return for the second part of their look into the Dawn Chrous, that early morning explosion of bird song that refuses to let you sleep in.This episode was recorded on April 20, 2025 at Majors Park in East Aurora, NY.Sponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Works CitedGil, D. and Llusia, D., 2020. The bird dawn chorus revisited. Coding strategies in vertebrate acoustic communication, pp.45-90.American Redstart vocalizations used in the episode were from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s YouTube page.Photo CreditThe doubly deeply disturbing image that graces this episode was generated by AI in Canva.
Nature nerds rejoice! The Field Guides is a monthly podcast that will bring you out on the trail, focusing on the science of our North American wildlife.
Netherlands