Everybody loves monarch butterflies, don't they? And for good reason. But if monarchs are all you know, you're missing out. Late summer is a great time to expand your butterfly horizons.

What good is spicebush? For starters, it's beautiful. But beyond that, planting it can bring you the spectacle of spicebush swallowtail caterpillars developing in your yard.

How do you know what mussels inhabit a stream? You get in the water and dig with your hands. And knowing what mussels are there provides scientists with important clues about the overall health of a waterway.