Earth Almanac: Nature's Calendar for Year-Round Discovery

Author: Ken Keffer

Local Author

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Paperback

SAMPLE DAY

March 18: White as a Ghost Crab

After spending the winter in burrows up to four feet underground, ghost crabs resurface as the temperatures rise. Somewhat nocturnal and sensitive to human disturbance, ghost crabs are a sometimes-overlooked beach critter that lives about three years on average. Armed with flashlights, people can catch a quick glimpse of them scurrying about after hours. You may also spot these pale sand-colored crustaceans beachcombing for a scavenged meal brought in by the ocean surf. These two-inch crabs have tiny pincers used for foraging and for posturing as males try to compete for mates. Ghost crab eggs are sent out to sea, where larvae hatch and develop.

Overview: 

Earth Almanac presents the greatest hits of North American nature! Structured around phenology, which is the study of seasonal patterns in nature, the day-by-day descriptions offer insight into activities and connections throughout the natural world.

Beginning with the Winter Solstice in December, Earth Almanac highlights a wide range of natural history, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, intertidal and marine life, trees, plants, fungi, weather phenomenon, geology, astronomy, notable environmental activists, and more, and reveals the ebb and flow of nature across the planet. Each season features more than 90 entries, and sidebars throughout provide calls to environmental action, citizen science opportunities, and details on special dates or holidays. The book can be enjoyed one day, month, or season at a time--dip in and out as you observe the world around you.