I'm a long time birder and have written three books on birds -- but my interest lies far beyond that. I'm also a volulnteer odonate surveyor and need to know what plants, trees, shrubs, etc. birds and insects are perching on. I've taken classes in botany and enviornmental biology and write various stories on science and nature for the Chicago Tribune, Natural Awakenings, Birds and Blooms and other publications. You can find out more about me at: https://sheryldevore.wordpress.com/ or see my Tribune stories here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/chi-sheryl-devore-staff.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwi9-HBhACEiwAPzUhHL8RkrSp6VWzBowlD9DgFPoyJ8JcpI3-H2CuclqRiop509biOkq17RoCsgsQAvD_BwE