About Me

I am a freelance writer and naturalist with too many interests and not enough time.

I have a B.Sc.H in Zoology from the University of Guelph and formal training in ornithology, but when I discovered a career in birds meant getting up before dawn every day, I decided my plans needed revisiting. Moths and writing were a natural fit – both catered to my lazy side and night owl tendencies. (Bonus: they’re both a lot of fun.)

I am now the co-author of two guides to moths covering northeastern and southeastern North America (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012 and 2018) and the sole author of one for western North America (Princeton University Press, 2026). I am also a mom to two young and energetic kids who are really my full-time job, around whom I fit the books and other projects.

I love reading (audiobooks, these days), hiking (when I have time), gardening (the growing part, not the weeding), iNaturalist (I’m always woefully behind), being creative (sewing, art, writing fiction), coffee and tea (self-medicated ADHD), and chocolate (dark). And moths, of course.

I live on a small rural property west of Ottawa, Ontario, with my husband and two children, three cats, a dog and some fish. Plus many ladybugs, several cellar spiders, a handful of paper wasps, a small number of brown bats, two red squirrel families, three tame chipmunks, and multiple garter snakes. And that’s just who lives in the house.

Find me online:

— feralia

— feralia

I have other social media accounts as well, but rarely use them anymore. Something had to go once kids arrived.

Or you can contact me directly here.