I’ve got a short piece about backyard bats in the “Sky” issue of Stonecrop Review: “a journal of urban nature writing, art & photography.” The essay is called “Same Bat Time.”
And dayeinu—this would have been enough—but Holly McKelvy, one of the editors, made artwork for my essay and matched the tone perfectly perfect.
The whole issue is online and free, and I’ve cued the link to my essay here:
https://www.stonecropreview.com/…/Stonecrop-Issue3-singlepa…
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What I want to know is:
Do you have bats in your dusk / dawn sky?
(photo from @Stonecrop.Review on Instagram)
So lovely, Joanna. I always enjoy reading your nature essays. Congrats on the publication.
Thank you for reading it, Cheryl. I feel like you and I are spinning related webs in adjacent states.
Joanna, that comment made me smile:) Thank you. You inspire me to do more, so I need to step up my game. Keep writing and sharing!
I used to have bats, but over the past 3 years, they have disappeared. I’m wondering if I install a bat box if they’ll return. I miss them!
Oh no, I’m sorry your bats have disappeared! I know you take care of your yard in wildlife-friendly ways, so you’d be a good bat host. Here’s a link to Bat Conservation International: http://www.batcon.org/resources/getting-involved/bat-houses. Their resource pages will show at a glance if a box will work for you and your space. Pretty sure we can get BCI certified bat houses locally at the Wood Thrush Shop.
Joanna – I LOVE this article! You’re right, we’ve spent more time outside in the evenings this summer than most, especially this week when it’s been cooler, but in our case also the past 2 weeks despite the heat, because Outside has been where we could have dinner with Henry until his 2 weeks of isolating were over! I have NOT seen the bats yet, and I’m afraid I’ve aged out of hearing them (although I used to have excruciatingly good hearing for things like security door whinings and traffic counters) –
So maybe I need to come over to your house one evening and sit far enough from you to not germ on you, but close enough to hear you tell me what to look for ?????
Mary
Mary, I’m getting such a happy picture of y’all breaking bread together outside…
Our neighborhood bats come out at dusk, and right now that means pretty late and pretty early, since we are so close to summer solstice. I’ll email you…