Double Take -- by Mark Sproxton

Four years, and dozens of songs and stories about insects later, John Acorn believes he has the best career in bugdom. You may even be familiar with his work.

Stepping in front of the TV cameras as The Nature Nut, Acorn utilizes his ample abilities as a musician, story teller, and scientist to explore all things in the insect world, and beyond.

The Nature Nut uses music to explain the worlds of bugs and nature.

"For me, I have the perfect job," he said from his Edmonton home. "I can do entomology, science, and be creative. I like skipping all over, writing songs one day, and talking to scientists the next. I work hard, but the pay's pretty good. It may not be the best job for the guy sitting next to me in university. It depends who you are."

After years as an entomology technician researching water striders, fishing spiders and tent caterpillars, and after working on a travelling dinosaur project, Acorn turned his talents to the small screen. He met some TV producers by chance, they talked about producing a show dealing with insects, animals, and general science, and things grew from there.

Started four years ago as a show for Edmonton broadcaster CFRN, The Nature Nut was soon picked up by the Discovery Channel, and the U.S. network Animal Planet. "I've always enjoyed presenting nature to others, but luckily for me I had a background in making home movies and music," he explained after completing his 79th episode. "It's been much more successful than I thought it would be."

Acorn caught the insect bug when he was about five after his parents found a library book that sent him immediately outdoors exploring the natural world. From there he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in zoology, and a Master's Degree in entomology.

Over the years he has also written or contributed to books on butterflies, dinosaurs, and hosted a TV series on birds. He's now in the finishing stages of a book on his favorite insect, the Tiger Beetle, of which there's 19 species in Alberta.

While there aren't many jobs similar to his, Acorn offered meaningful words of advice for those nearing the world of work: "You really have to figure out where your talents lie, and where you fit in." Seems like this Nature Nut took that advice to heart.