Cozy Sundays
Add Your Heading Text Here
Cozy Sundays is our new weekly story series, bringing you a glimpse into the secret world of wildlife during the colder months.
January Series
Week 1 A Shrew’s Warm Tunnels of January
Beneath the quiet winter forest, life is still on the move. This week’s story takes us into the hidden world of the subnivean zone, where an energetic little shrew spends his days tunneling, snacking, and staying warm under the snow.
These tiny mammals work nonstop to survive winter… all while staying out of sight of predators above. It’s a whole world we rarely see, just inches under our feet.
December Series
Week 1 December Days of an Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Our December Cozy Sunday story begins with one of Ohio’s most familiar winter residents… the Eastern Cottontail.
Even in the coldest months, she follows a careful routine: eat, listen, rest… and repeat until spring returns.
These small moments of survival are happening all around us in winter, just beneath the quiet.
Week 2 A Raccoon’s Winter Den
Winter nights can be long and quiet, but for a raccoon tucked inside her oak tree den, December brings cozy naps and the occasional nighttime adventure.
With thick fur and an adaptable nose for snacks, she knows exactly how to make it through the coldest months.
Week 3 A Red Squirrel’s Christmas Week
Christmas week is a busy time for Ohio’s red squirrels!
With middens to check, cones to stash, and nests to cozy into, this tiny neighbor is already fully prepared for the holidays.
Week 4 The Otter and the Winter River
Winter on the river is full of fun when you’re an otter!
With thick fur, playful spirit, and plenty of chilly fish to catch, this swimmer knows how to enjoy December to the fullest.
November Series
Week 1 A Red Fox in November’s Frosty Forest
The forest is quiet now… but not asleep.
Our red fox moves softly through November’s chill, full of patience and peace beneath the golden light of fall.
Week 2 A Black Capped Chickadee’s November Night
The forest quiets, but one voice still sings.
Even as winter draws near, the chickadee reminds us of resilience, community, and warmth found in togetherness.
Week 3 A Beaver’s November Lodge
The water’s edge glimmers with ice, but the beaver’s work is never done.
Her November lodge is ready, strong, warm, and built with care. A quiet masterpiece of preparation and purpose.
Week 4 A Wild Turkey’s November Flock
Bronze feathers, golden light, and a season of gathering.
The wild turkey reminds us that November is about togetherness, small treasures, and the peace that comes from being part of something greater.
October Series
Week 1 A Spotted Salamander Under the Leaves
The forest floor is alive with hidden stories this October.
Beneath the damp leaf litter, a spotted salamander is preparing for his long winter rest. While the forest cools above, he curls deeper into the soil, waiting for spring showers to call him back.
Week 2 A Screech Owl in the Wood
On this October night, the moon lights the forest while a screech owl keeps watch.
From her hollow roost, she listens for the rustling of prey, glides silently through the woods, and calls out to claim her territory. By dawn, she’s back in her tree, ready to rest until the moon rises again.
Week 3 A Crow’s Crisp Morning
The first light of October stretches across the fields, and the crows are already busy.
Together, they call to one another, comb the ground for food, and stick close to keep each other safe and warm. Their voices carry across the crisp autumn air, greeting another morning as a family.
Week 4 A Little Brown Bat’s October Night
As twilight falls, a little brown bat slips from her hiding place beneath tree bark.
Tonight, every insect caught is precious, winter is coming soon, and soon she’ll gather with her family in a cave to hibernate until spring. But for now, her wings are silent, darting through the October night.
September Series
Week 1 A Deer in September’s Meadow
The air was changing… the golden light of September wrapped the meadow as a white-tailed deer stood quietly among the clover. Every nibble was a step toward winter strength for the lean months ahead. Soon, the forest would feast, but for now, she waited in the calm of September’s meadow.
Week 2 A Chipmunk’s September Pantry
September is a month of busy work for the chipmunk cheeks full, paws quick, tucking treasures deep into a cozy underground pantry. Inside are neat piles of nuts, gathered tirelessly to carry him through the winter ahead.
Week 3 A Woolly Bear’s September Journey
Wrapped in his finest autumn coat, a band of orange between black, the woolly bear caterpillar makes his September journey. Every step brings him closer to the perfect leaf pile where he’ll curl up and dream away the winter months.
Week 4 A Hummingbird’s September Feast
This week, we followed a Ruby-throated Hummingbird as she prepares for her September Feast. From raising her babies to fueling up for a journey thousands of miles long, every moment counts before her big migration south.
