Naturalist Matt Schuth provides solid information about birds trees insects and other aspects of the natural world enlivened by personal experience homespun humor myth and folklore and deep respect for the rural past. Reading the book is like going on a walk with a good friend who happens to be an expert observer of the natural world.

Matt Schuth grew up on a farm near Wabasha Minnesota on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi. He has worked in various capacities at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum since 1982 managing maple syrup production working on wetland projects with graduate students helping to prepare and maintain research plots setting up bluebird trails wood duck houses and osprey nests and keeping track of bird mammal and butterfly sightings at the Arboretum. He continues to write about the natural world for the Arboretum Magazine and to conduct nature walks and talks throughout the year.