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Bracken Cave Preserve outside San Antonio is home to 15–20 million Mexican free-tailed bats, the largest bat colony on Earth and the densest concentration of mammals in the world. Fran Hutchins of Bat Conservation International joins Scott Harris to share the astonishing story of Bracken Cave — from batnados spiraling into the sky, to flesh-eating beetles deep inside the guano-filled cavern, to how these bats save farmers millions of dollars each year in natural pest control.

We dive into the magic of watching millions of bats emerge at sunset, the cave’s 10,000-year history, and why bats are critical pollinators and seed dispersers across the globe. This episode is a rare look at one of nature’s greatest spectacles and why protecting these animals means protecting ecosystems everywhere.

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In this episode of Naturally Scott, host Scott Harris welcomes Christian Cooper—birder, writer, Emmy Award–winning TV host, and New York Times bestselling author.

Chris shares the thrill of finally spotting his long-sought great gray owl in Wyoming, the joy of spring migration in Central Park, and the myth he wrote to explain the fiery beauty of the Blackburnian warbler. He recalls the red-winged blackbird that first sparked his love of birding, childhood road trips across America, and the role comics and mythmaking have played in his storytelling.

The conversation also explores the Central Park incident of May 2020, how it unexpectedly thrust him into the global spotlight, and how he used that platform to champion equality, conservation, and “birds for all people.” From Extraordinary Birder on Nat Geo to his bestselling memoir and the launch of Black Birders Week, Chris reflects on turning challenge into opportunity and joy.

This is a story of resilience, passion, and the power of nature to inspire wonder.

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In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott Harris talks with birder, cyclist, and author Dorian Anderson about his extraordinary journey from addiction to recovery, and from molecular biology to a life centered on birding.

Dorian shares how he rediscovered his passion for birds after getting sober, culminating in a self-powered “Big Year” where he biked across America without using gas or diesel. His story—chronicled in his book Birding Under the Influence—highlights how birding became a healthier “addiction” and a source of renewal.

The conversation explores his evolving perspective on birding, from chasing ABA list rarities to embracing global birding experiences. Dorian also opens up about guiding birding tours, the importance of client compatibility, and the blend of patience and artistry behind bird photography. Finally, he reflects on his deep connection to albatrosses and shorebirds, offering a glimpse into the soul of a birder who found freedom in nature.

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In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott Harris sits down with legendary birder Bruce Barrett. Since 1973, Bruce has logged nearly 900 bird species in the ABA area—more than anyone else in history. But his story is about more than birds: he’s a mathematician, a world traveler, and a husband who’s shared 57 years of marriage with his non-birder wife. Together they’ve explored the globe, sung in chorus, and developed their own rules for a happy partnership.

Join us as we talk about birding milestones, the joy of lifelong curiosity, and the wisdom that comes from a life well lived.

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This week on NaturallyScott, Scott Harris is joined by Lynn Scarlett—former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, lifelong conservationist, and a woman with stories as wild as the places she’s worked.

In this episode, Lynn shares:

• What it’s like to lie in the sand at night collecting eggs from a leatherback turtle
• The awe of standing on Midway Island, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of albatross
• A surreal moment sitting on an alligator’s head
• Reflections on being eighth in line to the U.S. presidency
• Her leadership role in shaping America’s nearly 600 National Wildlife Refuges

From sea turtles to national parks, Lynn’s journey blends field science, public service, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

👉 Stay tuned at the end for Field Notes, featuring America’s National Wildlife Refuges.
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This week on NaturallyScott, Scott Harris sits down with Ted Cheeseman—naturalist, explorer, and co-founder of HappyWhale. From his childhood growing up in the Santa Cruz Mountains to decades of guiding Antarctic expeditions, Ted has lived a life surrounded by wildlife. In 2015, he and Ken Sutherland launched HappyWhale, a citizen science project that uses photographs to identify and track individual whales around the globe.

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In this conversation, Ted shares:

• The family safari company that shaped his passion for nature
• His formative years exploring East Africa and Antarctica
• First-hand accounts of witnessing whale populations rebound after whaling
• How HappyWhale connects everyday whale watchers to groundbreaking research
• The future of oceans, tourism, and the role of citizen science in conservation

Whether you’re a birder, diver, or just ocean-curious, this episode reveals how one snapshot of a whale’s tail can contribute to global science and inspire deeper stewardship of our seas.

👉 Learn more or submit your own whale photo: HappyWhale.com

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Wayne Klockner has been birding for more than 60 years — from his spark bird, a humble Dark-eyed Junco in New Jersey, to chasing the holy grail of raptors, the Harpy Eagle, deep in Panama’s Darién jungle. In this episode, Wayne joins Scott to share stories from a lifetime in conservation:

• Growing up birding alone in the farm fields of New Jersey
• A 38-year career with The Nature Conservancy, from Maryland to Indonesia
• Up-close encounters with Komodo dragons, leopards in Kenya, and seabirds in New Zealand
• His ongoing quest for nemesis birds like the Yellow Rail and Boreal Owl
• Why the American Birding Association still matters — and where it’s heading next

From backyard feeders to global adventures, Wayne’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, conservation, and community.

Whether you’re chasing lifers or just love a good bird story, this one will keep you soaring.

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In this episode of NaturallyScott, Scott Harris sits down with Dr. J. Drew Lanham — poet, author, wildlife biologist, and Distinguished Professor at Clemson University. Drew shares his unique perspective on birding, conservation, and culture, weaving together history, identity, and the natural world. From conversations with Audubon and Thoreau, to teaching “conservation and cultural ornithology,” to reflections on Black Birders Week and his “Nine Rules for the Black Bird Watcher,” Drew challenges us to connect the conservation dots in new ways. Along the way, he talks about poetry, history, and what it means to truly “identify with birds.”

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Jeff Gordon has lived a life in three acts: leading bird tours around the globe, serving over a decade as President of the American Birding Association, and now shaping what comes next. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jeff and Scott talk about the roots of his passion for nature, from the Delaware Nature Society and an Appalachian Trail revelation to miraculous moments like spotting a White-tailed Tropicbird in the Dry Tortugas and a last-minute polar bear encounter in Nunavut.

They dig into the joys and challenges of building community around birding, the evolution of the ABA, and the deeper meaning of being in nature—whether you’re scanning the horizon for seabirds, planting native gardens at home, or simply sitting quietly and letting the wild world come back to life around you.

It’s a conversation about memory, connection, and why there’s always more to birding than birds.

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This week on NaturallyScott, I’m joined by Scott V. Edwards, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.

Professor Edwards shares the incredible story of biking across the United States, reflecting on how the journey connected him more deeply to the landscapes and wildlife he has studied throughout his career. Along the way, we dive into the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt—his outsized impact on natural history, conservation, and the way we think about America’s wild spaces today.

It’s a conversation about science, endurance, history, and the open road—told by one of the most distinguished evolutionary biologists in the country.