• Elk - The Herbivore That Was Here Before
    Dec 1 2024

    It's time for another episode of Walkin' on the Wild Side! This time, Gabrielle and I are talking about the successful reintroduction of Elk in the Southeast. Hunted into extinction in the 1700's and 1800's, this second largest member of the deer family has been reintroduced to North Carolina in the 2000's, but not without headaches and issues. Join us as we chat about the successes, challenges, and essential collaborations that made the reintroduction of a majestic animal into a drastically changed ecosystem a success that now adds yet another facet to the gems of our national parks, refuges, and wild areas!

    Here's some more information about the reintroduction of elk and where you can see them:

    https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/march-2019/returning-elk-southeast-20-year-retrospective

    https://www.biltmorebeacon.com/outdoor/dna-study-yields-new-estimate-of-smoky-mountain-elk-population/article_38a073e4-2f45-11ef-8fe6-1b27dce98991.html

    https://ncwf.org/wildlife/elk/

    Where to see them:
    https://www.greatsmokies.com/elk-watching/

    https://visithaywood.com/blog/elk-watching-101/

    https://visitcherokeenc.com/blog/elk-viewing-101-your-guide-to-americas-historic-mammal/

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!

    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    36 mins
  • Adventures in Iceland Conclusion - Selfoss to Keflavik
    Nov 15 2024

    Our final two days in Iceland are packed adventures and experiences as we go from Selfloss to Keflavik. We went through a National Park, experienced a few more waterfalls, geysers, and interesting history. We also baked bread in volcanic soil, took in a few more spas, and got up close and personal at the historic fissure and lava eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. What a great trip and once in a lifetime experience Walkin' on the Wild Side!

    Here's some great information:
    The Yoda Cave - https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/yoda-cave
    Gullfoss Waterfall - https://gullfoss.is/
    Geysir - https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/strokkur
    The Yerts! https://valhallayurts.com/
    Minniborgir Restaurant - https://www.is-southerniceland.com/en/property/minniborgir-cottages-restaurant.html
    Laugervatn Spa and Bread Baking Experience - https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/iceland-hot-springs-bread
    Blue Lagoon - https://www.bluelagoon.com/topics/retreat-lagoon
    Lava Flows Over Road - https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/06/08/lava_has_reached_grindavikurvegur_road_and_the_blue/
    Froken Restaurants - https://www.frokenselfoss.is/
    Rain Restaurant - https://rain.is/

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!


    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    55 mins
  • Adventures in Iceland Pt. 2 - Husavik to Hofn
    Nov 1 2024

    Welcome back to Walkin' on the Wild Side! We continue our adventure on the Ring Road in Iceland, from the northern area of Husavik to the southeastern town of Hofn. We go from snowy fields to glaciers, icebergs, and volcanic beaches. Join us to learn more about this beautiful country that truly is the land of ice and fire! From hot geothermal fields, volcanic lava fields, and lava caves, to icy lagoons, glaciers, and icebergs. Awesome geothermal spas, delicious ice cream, the amazing Iceland hotdog (trust me), and incredible views of northern lights. Quite the diversity of land forms and experiences, but unbelievable trips around this great country from north to west, and more!

    Here's some websites for more information:
    https://www.northiceland.is/en/destinations/towns/
    husavik
    Awesome Geothermal Spa: https://www.geosea.is/
    Naustid Restaurant in Husavik: https://icelandicfood.is/naustid/
    Lava fields near Lake Myvatn: https://perlan.is/articles/dimmuborgir-lava-rock-formations-iceland
    Hotdogs, really?: https://guidetoiceland.is/best-of-iceland/what-to-eat-in-iceland-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-famous-icelandic-hot-dogs
    Best ice cream: https://handpickediceland.is/tour/skutais-ice-cream/
    https://icelandtravelguide.is/locations/the-diamond-beach/
    https://fjallsarlon.is/

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!


    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    41 mins
  • Adventures in Iceland - Holmavik to Husavik
    Oct 15 2024

    We took a vacation and are back to share our adventures with you. Gabrielle and I travelled to Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice! Join us along our trip as we travel the Ring Road and experience the vast, rugged, and beautiful land with mountains, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, and more. Part one takes to the western coast all the way up to the northern-most part of Iceland. This section was filled with sorcery, witchcraft, trolls, sheep and more!

    Here's a little info on the places we visited:

    Ring Road - https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-ring-road
    Holmavik - https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/holmavik
    Laugarholl Hotell - https://www.laugarholl.is/
    Sheep! - https://guidetoiceland.is/best-of-iceland/icelandic-sheep-the-ultimate-guide
    Sorcery and Witchcraft museum - https://www.westfjords.is/en/service/the-icelandic-sorcery-and-witchcraft-museum
    Restaurant at Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum/Galdur - https://galdrasyning.is/en/galdur-restaurant2/

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!


    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    24 mins
  • Stinging Nettles - A Choice Edible
    Sep 15 2024

    It's time for a little different episode of Walkin' on the Wild Side! Join Marvin and Gabrielle for a foraging adventure to harvest, cook, and have Gabrielle try stinging nettle, a choice wild edible. This nutritious wild plant needs to be harvested with care and positive identification, but once you do, you'll have a tasty green for the table! We talk about harvesting this plant, how to handle, and then, off to the "WWS Culinary Institute" (our kitchen, lol) and we show you how to clean it, cook it, and then on to the back porch for Gabrielle's first taste. Don't worry, she survives and will make it to the next episode!

    Health Benefits:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9253158/#:~:text=Aids%20in%20skin%20and%20bone,magnesium%2C%20potassium%2C%20and%20zinc.
    Cooking:
    https://www.thespruceeats.com/sauteed-stinging-nettles-2217561#:~:text=Nettles%20need%20to%20be%20thoroughly,down%20in%20one%20fell%20swoop.
    Positive Identification:
    https://www.wildedible.com/wild-food-guide/stinging-nettle

    If you're ever in Saluda, NC, please check out this amazing gallery called Earthly Minds Gallery. Such a great store and co-owned by Sabrina Romero, a wonderful artist! Check out this webpage, learn about this great gallery, and if you're up that way, stop in and support them!
    https://earthlymindsgallery.com/

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!


    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    28 mins
  • Leave It to Beavers
    Sep 1 2024

    We're back for another episode of Walkin' on the Wild Side! It's the time of year that we are starting to get hints of Fall and many animal behaviors are starting to change with the seasons. Birds are migrating, squirrels are getting busy, but I always thing of the industrious beaver this time of year! The careful observer who has beavers in the area will notice more activity from these semi-aquatic mammals as they start caching twigs, branches, and other food for the winter. But beavers get a bad rap because of their ability to change their habitat and are much maligned in many areas. But it's this ability that creates habitat, improves water quality, and can be beneficial to our environment if we can just find a way to get along with this neat critter. Join Marvin and Gabrielle as we seek to instill some appreciation for beavers and hopefully inspire more folks to get along with this amazing architect. Diverse habitats, water conservation, and stormwater management is all a possibility if we just "leave it to beavers"!

    Here's some more information on beavers:
    https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62316/11-fascinating-facts-about-beavers
    https://facts.net/beaver-facts/
    https://www.newmouth.com/resources/beaver-teeth-facts/
    https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/beavers-climate-change-conservation-news

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!


    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Northern Right Whales - The Right Whale for the Wrong Reasons
    Aug 15 2024

    Hi and welcome back to Walkin' on the Wild Side! This episode, we're going to the coast (figuratively) and talking about one of the rarest marine mammals, the northern right whale. Taken to the brink of extinction by the whaling industry, this slow moving, surface dwelling whale faces an uncertain future as population numbers compromised during whaling continue to decline due to modern day vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and demands for the ocean's resources. Join Marvin and Gabrielle to learn more about this incredible marine mammal, it's stuggles, and continued efforts to save a whale who's very survival is in the hands of the human race.

    For more information, here are a few websites for you to check out:
    https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/north-atlantic-right-whale
    https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/north-atlantic-right-whale/
    https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/north-atlantic-right-whale
    https://www.nrdc.org/bio/francine-kershaw/final-north-atlantic-right-whale-and-offshore-wind-strategy-released

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!

    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

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    36 mins
  • Blast from the Past - Bodacious Box Turtles
    Aug 1 2024

    It's time for another episode of Walkin' on the Wild Side! We have had a lot of rain lately and while sitting on the back porch during a heavy thunderstorm, Gabrielle and I thought back to 2021 for our episode on box turtles. With all the rain we've been having, box turtles are once again on the move, and that means they are crossing roads and in danger of getting hit. To remind all our listeners to be on the lookout for box turtles crossing the road, instead of doing another podcast about box turtles, why not bring back a blast from the past and once again, share "Bodacious Box Turtles"! Thank you for listening and please keep an eye out for box turtles as you drive around!

    For more information, here are a few websites for you to check out:

    Savannah River Ecology Lab -https://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles
    Chattanooga Nature Center - https://www.chattnaturecenter.org
    Citizen Science Initiatives - https://wildlife.org/citizen-scientists-track-declining-box-turtle-populations, https://theherpproject.uncg.edu

    Interested in having Marvin and Gabrielle speak at your event? Email us below for more information!

    Email us at www.walkingonthewildside21@gmail.com
    Follow us on our two webpages to see photos and blogs about our podcasts and nature in general:
    Nature Nook Photography
    Walkin' on the Wild Side

    You can listen directly from our website at: https://walkinonthewildside.buzzsprout.com, or from any of the major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Stitcher, and more!
    Subscribe to our podcasts on any of these platforms and leave us a review!
    We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and welcome your emails, comments, and feedback. Hopefully, we will inspire you to get out there and start "Walkin' on the Wild Side"!

    We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins