tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87167214639032275432024-02-07T01:01:56.314-08:00Restore Your (Family) NatureConnect with nature, restore yours...The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-39732888258474582242012-05-05T14:39:00.001-07:002012-05-05T14:39:26.385-07:00It's Big, It's Bright, It's Close...It's Super Moon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight's Cinco de Mayo moon is at its closest to earth this year. The image above compares the size of last year's "super moon" to an average full moon. And as the caption above mentions, even though we might not be able to see with a naked eye that the moon will indeed be bigger and brighter (even compared to last year's "super moon"), we're sure to step outside and enjoy it's magic. </div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>6 Fun things to do during a full moon:</b></span><br />
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<li><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Take a hike.</span></b> Head to a natural area, away from city lights. You'll be able to walk around easily with only the bright luminescence of the moon, offering a whole new perspective on a nature walk. Imagine a moonlit walk along a lake, out in the desert, on a beach, through a meadow, or around your neighborhood.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kayak or canoe.</span></b> Many outdoor companies are now offering moonlight bike rides, canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. during the full moon. Check your local area for these special monthly outings, or head out with a friend! Even in our desert we can go kayaking in nearby Salton Sea http://seaanddesert.org/ </li>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>Sleep.</b> </span>Why take some blankets outside and fall asleep under the light of the moon. Moon nap in a hammock, or on a warm sandy beach or desert dune and connect with something greater.</li>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>Sketch or journal.</b></span> Once a month a group of us head out to a place in the desert, surrounded by mountains and we sketch by the light of the full moon. Sometimes we write poetry, sculpt with clay, or journal. But it is always something designed to engage our creative self, and always with the inspiration of the full moon to guide us. </li>
<li><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>Howl. </b></span>Howl, bark, or hoot at the moon. This may feel strange, but you might be surprised at what answers you back! This is a fun one to do as a family or with a group of kids and other willing participants. Best if done in a natural area, with plenty or wild habitat around. Add it to your full moon hike. While out in the desert at night, we decided to start howling and were pretty excited to hear coyotes howling back in the distance!</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Moon gazing and sky watching.</span></b> Despite the bright light of a full moon, there are still some good sights to look for in the night sky. Practicing your start mapping, constellation finding & planet naming. Look for satellites. Best of all, use binoculars or a telescope to explore the surface of the moon, identifying geographical features from a moon guide book </li>
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<i><span style="color: #ffe599;">Enjoy the moon!</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-69591343921947719972012-04-17T22:13:00.000-07:002012-04-17T22:13:34.374-07:00Earth Day: Over 1 Billion Making A Difference!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Earth Day is April 22. This will be the 42nd anniversary marking the beginning of an historical push in promoting awareness and education regarding the health of our planet. Today it is estimated more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities around the world. (<a href="http://www.earthday.org/"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">www.earthday.org</span></a>) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The exciting thing about the first Earth Day in 1970 is in its grassroots beginnings. With seemingly no political value at the time, no money, no resources, no education, our environments were being degraded without regard to future environmental health and natural resources. It took the dedication and resourcefulness of some steadfast individuals to find a way to put environmentalism on the political map by tapping into a dedicated student energy who believed our planet to be a worthy cause. The time finally came when people became fed up with the environmental destruction and death around them and communities of concern sprouted up to became active in the name of our planet. And a movement years in the making emerged, initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson and his staff, who gave voice to those who cared enough about our planet to fight for it in a new arena. Nelson’s fight for the environment and related health hazards encouraged the public to bring the concerns of our planet’s health into mainstream politics. Later that same year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read more of this article about how the first Earth Day came about by by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day. </span></em><a href="http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html</span></em></a><em> </em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNlcLN7VHjU0RONGHyJvbUn61BwYyN3NBTZWoT7GL5Q-Cd3rVdzXC3gPhs1Gy5YFBVCdQJdmEESs9lmNwl6JywtPSXrofBTfWxVDz00t6GeSIsZODCN8oyq7qOTLsTtWQ17xKCbHUhL2G/s1600/WEBj0437384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNlcLN7VHjU0RONGHyJvbUn61BwYyN3NBTZWoT7GL5Q-Cd3rVdzXC3gPhs1Gy5YFBVCdQJdmEESs9lmNwl6JywtPSXrofBTfWxVDz00t6GeSIsZODCN8oyq7qOTLsTtWQ17xKCbHUhL2G/s200/WEBj0437384.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although we have a very long road ahead of us, imagine where we would be without our current standards and sanctions put in place to better protect our environment and our health. What would we be facing without environmental conscience, or the science and education which have since guided our decisions and permeated our lifestyles today? Our air quality is regulated and many pollutants have been removed, we have lead-free gas, and our waste has been more properly managed. We are moving more toward alternative energy sources. Our oceans are being protected, once endangered species are protected, some are even making a recovery--just to name a few.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But, there is still much to be done, as our population grows our planet tries to keep up. Our climate is still in peril, new species are threatened, world waste is suffocating our oceans, big business and some countries refuse to adhere to environmental laws and agreements put in place for the greater good of the planet and the health of their people. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In its beginnings, a day devoted to bringing awareness to the environment had no political value, now it is mainstream the environment has its rightful place on the political agenda. Yet there is still a vital need, an urgency for the world community to more strongly unite, to step up and take stewardship of our planet as a whole. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Much has been established and is working since the first Earth Day, and now we have to maintain that momentum and work to keep the environment front and center, for our future generations. We can do that by:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>VOTING</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Vote for candidates you trust and have a track record for putting the environment first. Check their environmental scorecard here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/</span></a> and interest group ratings via Project VoteSmart <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/issues/NA/30"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://www.votesmart.org/issues/NA/30</span></a> </span></span><br />
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</div></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">STAYING EDUCATED & AWARE</span></strong> about the science (including how information is spun and by whom), the money players and political agendas. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are TWO sides to every study. Know who is reporting the study, be aware of sound bites/quotes out of context, who is paying for the research, ultimate agendas.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">KNOWING WHERE WE SPEND OUR MONEY</span></strong> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For example, if excess packaging is your beef, let the company know you will not be buying their product until they change the packaging...and then stick to that promise of action. Or know what super-company owns your favorite stores or restaurants, are they environmentally responsible?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">PRACTICING THE THREE R's</span></strong> (reduce, reuse, recycle)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Probably one of the easiest ways to do your part in living green! Most waste services offer curbside recycling. Or choose to recycle on your own, reuse items to keep them out of landfills, reduce you waste by buying package free on the shelf or little to no packaging for shipping.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE CRUELTY-FREE DECISIONS</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Buy from companies who do not test on animals, there are many sites that list cruelty free companies like In Defense of Animals <a href="http://www.idausa.org/facts/crueltyfree.html"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://www.idausa.org/facts/crueltyfree.html</span></a>, Peta and Peta2 <a href="http://shopcrueltyfree.peta2.com/"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://shopcrueltyfree.peta2.com/</span></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>AVOIDING "GREEN WASHING"</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the age of environmental friendly shopping, some companies are falsely claiming to be safe and/or green, taking advantage of green business and “earth friendly” loopholes in their labeling.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>REDUCING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Many ways to do this including your commute to work using electric vs. gas vs. cycling, solar energy, home gardening, turning off lights, saving water, etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>EDUCATING OURSELVES ON ORGANIC FOODS & LABELING</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Organic food labels in the US are either 100% organic, 95% organic, or “made with organic ingredients,” a minimum of 70% organic ingredients </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification</span></a>). </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Know what fruits and vegetables are the most and least contaminated with pesticides, get the list here: <a href="http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214</span></a>. The best fight against this is simply buying local, go the your farmers market and see your growers face to face, ask questions about pest control. Supporting local farms reduces our overall impact on the environment and is good for your local economy!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>ACTING AS STEWARDS</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You love our planet? Protect it. You want your children’s children to run free in nature’s playground like you did when you were a child? Protect it. Do you find refuge next to a stream or gazing up at the stars? Keep the waters and the sky clear and clean by protecting them. You want to be able to find new places where nature takes your breath away, or experience the excitement of witnessing a magnificent species in wildlands that your generation helped to protect? <em>Keep protecting it</em>, be a LOUD voice for the land and the animals!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These aren’t the only things we can do, but in a nutshell, we can at least live our daily lives in a way that shows we care for the earth and its species (including humans!) who depend on the balanced dynamic of a living planet. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Has Earth Day made a difference for our environment? <em>YES!</em> Even today? <em>YES!</em> But we need to be vigilant in our individual responsibilities to continue our progress. Be an environmental role model for your children. Go out in nature, let it inspire you, experience its awe, spend the night with it and let it motivate you to keep it pristine and wild. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Start with steps that are practical and easy for you and your family to ensure you will continue to do your part. Once it’s second nature, move on to bigger steps! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Make <em>every day</em> Earth Day now more than ever.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div></div></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-3866260337076525682012-03-18T16:24:00.000-07:002012-03-18T16:24:09.800-07:00Bike Safari<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXeBwIVMHCxWOHBlRnoCcTEoW81sss7QvSGiFUCaqY7kLKV7pMbWoK3v1BPh-rXeaaorzHD2YKWkKdahI3XpJ9NaT1Gx7cRC3w5OuNajdEHYmtanvHVTRYpAtDbkSzW8SbEFKI-MOA5LZ/s1600/vertical+ROGBIV+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXeBwIVMHCxWOHBlRnoCcTEoW81sss7QvSGiFUCaqY7kLKV7pMbWoK3v1BPh-rXeaaorzHD2YKWkKdahI3XpJ9NaT1Gx7cRC3w5OuNajdEHYmtanvHVTRYpAtDbkSzW8SbEFKI-MOA5LZ/s1600/vertical+ROGBIV+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXeBwIVMHCxWOHBlRnoCcTEoW81sss7QvSGiFUCaqY7kLKV7pMbWoK3v1BPh-rXeaaorzHD2YKWkKdahI3XpJ9NaT1Gx7cRC3w5OuNajdEHYmtanvHVTRYpAtDbkSzW8SbEFKI-MOA5LZ/s400/vertical+ROGBIV+flowers.JPG" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Spring is around the corner and the weather has been warming up (at least here in the southern <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state> desert). Family bike rides are a great way to spend time outdoors together. Now is the time to plan a bike safari with your child(ren) as an afternoon activity. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Here’s how: </span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Before you go, you must plan your route. Make sure all members of your family can finish the route comfortably. <o:p></o:p></span></div></li>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Do a practice run, writing down clues for things to find along the route. <o:p></o:p></span></div></li>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Print out the clue list for each family member to take with them during the ride. <o:p></o:p></span></div></li>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">During the ride, help the little ones by telling them one clue at a time so they can concentrate on riding safely while searching for their clue (not carrying a list).</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Clues can be ambiguous to encourage individual interpretations and might include things like, “something that can spray water” (interpretations might include a hose, fire hydrant, sprinklers, etc.), or something specific, “a blue gate.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Include things that guide thinking beyond just the human presence in the neighborhood like, “material for a bird’s nest,” “food for a bee,” “purple blossoms,” or “something just beginning to grow.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Take pictures of your finds or simply point them out to each other as you go. Below is a list of ideas for clues. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Clue ideas:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A plant you can eat<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A found face<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A pollinator<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Dripping water<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Something sparkly<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Something you can hear but can’t see<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A bird’s nest<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Food for a hummingbird<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A (color) door<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A flag<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">The silliest mailbox<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Something you can see through<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A rainbow bouquet (a red flower, orange flower, yellow flower, green, blue, (indigo), purple flowers—found throughout the ride)<o:p></o:p></span></div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt;">The smallest tree<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Enjoy your adventure!</span><br />
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</div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-13091628357842515872012-02-13T17:28:00.000-08:002012-02-13T17:28:56.810-08:00My Buggy Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5XMFRmyG9VLsDgfePBxkzPaOqCnkqNq3JNP09KddtiXt1_YlVQgRPr552ZcIjI3ngd3igZcmfXqW93fwEebrTLosM5KjunF4ZCOYfBGwmFStA3x3aEn7yYdNU0g6LXStTh8sGakvzO2U/s1600/buggy+valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5XMFRmyG9VLsDgfePBxkzPaOqCnkqNq3JNP09KddtiXt1_YlVQgRPr552ZcIjI3ngd3igZcmfXqW93fwEebrTLosM5KjunF4ZCOYfBGwmFStA3x3aEn7yYdNU0g6LXStTh8sGakvzO2U/s200/buggy+valentines.jpg" width="128" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We fell in L-O-V-E with this easy and very cute Valentine’s idea found over at the <a href="http://natureforkids.net/2012/02/12/love-bug-valentines/">Nature For Kids</a> blog. Procrastinators unite and check out Shawna’s wonderful <a href="http://natureforkids.net/2012/02/12/love-bug-valentines/">post</a> along with her FREE jar graphic for you to use for your own catch of buggy Valentine’s! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pictured in this post are my son’s Valentine’s we made this afternoon for his kindergarten classmates, using Shawna’s printable template <a href="http://natureforkids.net/2012/02/12/love-bug-valentines/">provided in her post</a>. We found a great <em>Insect Tube</em> at Joann's Fabrics. I printed the bug jar templates out—two per page—on cardstock paper. My son signed his name on each card and he helped glue a few of the bugs. I embellished each "Love Bug" with a black or silver heart, using a Sharpie. We think they turned out pretty neat :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: #7f6000; color: #ea9999; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>*Bee mine*</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Happy Buggy Valentine's!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-68890843988075700022012-01-17T18:39:00.000-08:002012-01-17T18:47:05.031-08:00Natural Playscapes: Rock Hopper Garden<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFztRAtYnXdOmrkFqktlShxOhjLCFBANVC0v7OJNVr_hdNbIlO_iBH_Sp7lCniAC3PZzXF7XycmyElhxxx6ZfRABbj5w97Jn_c461kvloLAxLvIKE9rC_U7fAi2xtOVYKeZSBbI-N5Pthm/s1600/rock+hopper+garden+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFztRAtYnXdOmrkFqktlShxOhjLCFBANVC0v7OJNVr_hdNbIlO_iBH_Sp7lCniAC3PZzXF7XycmyElhxxx6ZfRABbj5w97Jn_c461kvloLAxLvIKE9rC_U7fAi2xtOVYKeZSBbI-N5Pthm/s320/rock+hopper+garden+008.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last summer we visited the amazing <a href="http://www.sdbgarden.org/hcg_home.htm">Hamilton Children’s Garden</a>. The garden is filled with playful and enticing elements throughout, with plenty of creatively designed natural playscapes and gardens perfect for spontaneous, unstrunctured play and discovery—the best kind! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One feature my son particularly loved was the “Rock Hopper Garden,” large boulders spaced just far enough for children to jump from one to another, landscaped with native, “fall” friendly plants. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our backyard was a fairly blank canvas in need of some play-friendly and exciting space for my son to enjoy. We LOVE natural playscape designs and the rock-hopper garden was a great opportunity to create a natural area where he could have a little adventurous fun. So with some leftover large rocks in our yard (not quite the boulders at the Hamilton Children’s Garden, but worked just the same), we set out to create this nature-inspired playscape for our 5-year old. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawtJt7P4bdMY4Q_rJaY7_j3BOEi3g4Zx-6JbCHjoXkwzO3JnyaSXFtcD0BJxLvZ7P5k1vMQumujWE1GwwUXJcV3i1n1NnfACyDC7gYmTfUD2FGlnEs2sh1XU1q5w7kUpHLf2XlFfF-9vr/s1600/rock+hopper+garden+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawtJt7P4bdMY4Q_rJaY7_j3BOEi3g4Zx-6JbCHjoXkwzO3JnyaSXFtcD0BJxLvZ7P5k1vMQumujWE1GwwUXJcV3i1n1NnfACyDC7gYmTfUD2FGlnEs2sh1XU1q5w7kUpHLf2XlFfF-9vr/s320/rock+hopper+garden+010.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We found this to be an easy concept to put in place, the hard part of course was rolling/moving/carrying the very heavy rocks into place. Aside from positioning the rocks and getting the rocks to place, little ones can be a great help—my son helped with ideas on placement, digging, filling and of course stamping the rocks and soil down. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As more plants get added, they will soon fill the spaces between the rocks, adding a little more to the challenge. Meanwhile, my son is happily hopping his way around an outdoor play area he helped build! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We’d love to hear what natural playscape designs you’ve added to your yard (or plan/wish to add!). Once you get the rocks, this is an easy one to put in place. If you’d like to add this element to your backyard, here are a few tips that might help :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Sp8In5taBEYEVR8wrEjKHn-mBP2Dz9Zzev8iIKp6mT01s-Vr3RXOdpnBzavY-9G5u-C2I5TQiSwntSZTQrpESnrKbUWEyq_IfAMwQ-dAGpQ-391VUXSDnHzuOGU1o-Nk17Y7s0Kn-gu/s1600/rock+hopper+garden+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Sp8In5taBEYEVR8wrEjKHn-mBP2Dz9Zzev8iIKp6mT01s-Vr3RXOdpnBzavY-9G5u-C2I5TQiSwntSZTQrpESnrKbUWEyq_IfAMwQ-dAGpQ-391VUXSDnHzuOGU1o-Nk17Y7s0Kn-gu/s320/rock+hopper+garden+005.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tips: </span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Make sure you have help moving the rocks (no sense in throwing your back out). I was able to roll a few, but my hubby helped with the rest! (Depends on what rock you have access to.)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I recommend digging out a shallow hole to accommodate the pointier side of the rock, backfill with the soil and stamp down. This will allow it to sit nice and stable. </span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let your youngest test the first two rocks (for spacing) <em>before </em>you place all of your rocks. You don’t want them to be too far apart, but not too close either—create a little challenge that will grow with them for one or two years at least!</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you decide to combine with a garden (and why not?!), make sure the plants you choose are child-friendly, no poisonous plants or spines/thorns!</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let us know about your natural playscape, share your ideas and pictures!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A6FULWoXCuZvUSHEJrLvK6uk0KAj-_vBzo-fKqYY4mdFAyuwt2BKpa-STuy45qYX-MyDEy-h08pi-RKur55yTrDuo-iuefdZIHer8BYdXqZ32oDgtDHKZdyjWq-DO0CoKjwk1qSvmnWP/s1600/rock+hopper+garden+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A6FULWoXCuZvUSHEJrLvK6uk0KAj-_vBzo-fKqYY4mdFAyuwt2BKpa-STuy45qYX-MyDEy-h08pi-RKur55yTrDuo-iuefdZIHer8BYdXqZ32oDgtDHKZdyjWq-DO0CoKjwk1qSvmnWP/s320/rock+hopper+garden+053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div></div><div><br />
</div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-26298895283999918402011-12-19T15:04:00.000-08:002011-12-19T15:04:33.323-08:00Dynamic Duos: Partner Mandalas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviYlrjUwdUOjc6Y9GVgZza35-hjWBpwaiooKV5l0SWALGnH-qQOe-BwI1X35qOzubvFrextt_nrn5rjXOrv8iSTUL_N4V8NuVnkEL7pijlxlTY9ZT5eeGuBqhoohGKoew-T_zcrmCaswI/s1600/son-mommy+partner+mandala+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviYlrjUwdUOjc6Y9GVgZza35-hjWBpwaiooKV5l0SWALGnH-qQOe-BwI1X35qOzubvFrextt_nrn5rjXOrv8iSTUL_N4V8NuVnkEL7pijlxlTY9ZT5eeGuBqhoohGKoew-T_zcrmCaswI/s200/son-mommy+partner+mandala+%25282%2529.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Inspired by a<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> cooperative time-filler found in <i><span style="font-style: italic;">Family Fun</span></i> magazine, I have found partner mandalas to be a great exercise for building creative confidence no matter what your artistic ability. Something you can do with the little ones, this was a fun artistic activity to do with my kindergartner.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Each artist gets one color marker and a square sheet of paper. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Partners begin by drawing a circle in the center of their paper, then they swap sheets and add an element to the design (a ring of dots, dashes, zigzag lines, or a more detailed element). Continue swapping and adding elements until your mandala is finished. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>The photos (bottom of the post) are the two mandalas created with my 5 year old son. We both liked seeing what each of us would add and how quickly the madalas grew.</o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Try these alternatives!</em> </span></span></span></div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Find a area with plenty of natural materials (rocks, leaves, twigs, petals, sand, etc.) and have each partner alternate turns adding a ring using these materials only.</span> </div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Use brown, grey, and/or black markers to create mandala designs you can transform yet again by coloring.</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Create a family mandala during the holidays or a vacation. Leave a jar of colored pens or pencils along with the ongoing design out where family members can add their own ring related to their experience(s). You can assign each family member a color or let them choose as they go. *Try to keep colors alternating</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Make a journal madala. During your next vacation, retreat, or as a personal journaling exercise, add a daily ring to your madala design to represent the emotion or experience(s) from each day. </span></span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3WC0JvUCefIWabvQ0u8gebQxuOpzkcld3taiJ1a9I2iq9tiWxiv69j9eNNJBcc7lNTlNKRrROtAcnwc1OPNhZy_znF-Hq8i0J6FYl5IQ4MHUw_WyzqTtQhbO5YOH8gJLm6w1xLs0Cs-8/s1600/son-mommy+partner+mandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3WC0JvUCefIWabvQ0u8gebQxuOpzkcld3taiJ1a9I2iq9tiWxiv69j9eNNJBcc7lNTlNKRrROtAcnwc1OPNhZy_znF-Hq8i0J6FYl5IQ4MHUw_WyzqTtQhbO5YOH8gJLm6w1xLs0Cs-8/s320/son-mommy+partner+mandala.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAhSwEQPXT7oSr-VUM_7xiImlP-S6IGJ0M3PH7szlvv46qjmkk8nZUheOXnwwZnwdmQUhy7SGTm8OxBZOhIq5DohCMPzXZe-DK2gKBAbd8IR8WFqGYXRTpf7eTf059eIMxmhH8w9s7LbM/s1600/son-mommy+partner+mandala+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAhSwEQPXT7oSr-VUM_7xiImlP-S6IGJ0M3PH7szlvv46qjmkk8nZUheOXnwwZnwdmQUhy7SGTm8OxBZOhIq5DohCMPzXZe-DK2gKBAbd8IR8WFqGYXRTpf7eTf059eIMxmhH8w9s7LbM/s320/son-mommy+partner+mandala+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-2024221335340962962011-12-04T17:48:00.000-08:002011-12-04T17:53:52.115-08:00Amazing Cephalopods!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Take a nature break with David Gallo, an enthusiastic ambassador for the sea and pioneer in ocean exploration, as he leads you through a deep sea and shallow water dive highlighting our favorite cephalopods like the octopus, squid, and cuttlefish! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Length 5:25 (minutes/seconds) Thank you to Caliso friend Laura H. for forwarding this clip! If video does not appear, <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/david_gallo_shows_underwater_astonishments.html">click here</a> to watch.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: </span></em><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.ted.com/talks</span></em></a>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-5762198657108374282011-11-29T08:30:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:30:00.058-08:00My Kindergartner, Scorpions, & Stinkbugs—Oh My!<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHjk-YFYHdRgzJ2zyAjSllpUHZzGXry_woSI4efzCK59VGH1ZB18EpljovkgzHS_oXbaLc6ZudWi8erVEXCHJ3EASMb8WUpabJ_BKdMPRdxZqAE88PS1s4RnHFPidFmUmzl1k2u3jymBI/s1600/sand+scorpion2-UV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHjk-YFYHdRgzJ2zyAjSllpUHZzGXry_woSI4efzCK59VGH1ZB18EpljovkgzHS_oXbaLc6ZudWi8erVEXCHJ3EASMb8WUpabJ_BKdMPRdxZqAE88PS1s4RnHFPidFmUmzl1k2u3jymBI/s200/sand+scorpion2-UV.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time of year the weather cools down and the desert night invites exploration. We took advantage of a thin crescent moon combined with a hazy night sky to take my 5-year old son on his first scorpion hunt. I should mention our scorpion hunts are more of an unofficial survey, we’re just counting and sizing up how many individuals we find without collecting specimens. Living in the desert offers the perfect opportunity to scout scorpions which are easily seen using portable UV lights. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7MoaZoHyXLuEET2ZfIzMjtKQPUY0hxOA45w43uNsB6UF2uQBCKJGR-XUQgs4rx7A-grM34-f9d3wFpYFtR5_TQ-R0S0IfU7VISYtPW6iityBYpq8jNAZj1140dbBq2Gq-1yVz8I0xUfb/s1600/scorpion+scouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7MoaZoHyXLuEET2ZfIzMjtKQPUY0hxOA45w43uNsB6UF2uQBCKJGR-XUQgs4rx7A-grM34-f9d3wFpYFtR5_TQ-R0S0IfU7VISYtPW6iityBYpq8jNAZj1140dbBq2Gq-1yVz8I0xUfb/s1600/scorpion+scouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7MoaZoHyXLuEET2ZfIzMjtKQPUY0hxOA45w43uNsB6UF2uQBCKJGR-XUQgs4rx7A-grM34-f9d3wFpYFtR5_TQ-R0S0IfU7VISYtPW6iityBYpq8jNAZj1140dbBq2Gq-1yVz8I0xUfb/s1600/scorpion+scouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7MoaZoHyXLuEET2ZfIzMjtKQPUY0hxOA45w43uNsB6UF2uQBCKJGR-XUQgs4rx7A-grM34-f9d3wFpYFtR5_TQ-R0S0IfU7VISYtPW6iityBYpq8jNAZj1140dbBq2Gq-1yVz8I0xUfb/s320/scorpion+scouts.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Searching for sand scorpions on the desert floor is an exiciting adventure for most, no matter what your initial feelings are at first, you end up having an interesting time. It is a favorite fall activity of mine and I couldn’t wait to get my son out there to experience the challenge and fun of a successful hunt. I couldn’t believe I had finally talked him into venturing out into the desert night with me and my cousin, and the scorpions did not disappoint!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At our first stop, just after dark we spotted an eloedes beetle (stink bug) and 13 sand scorpions in about 40 mintues, not bad. We decided to indentify the tiny scorpions as <em>babies</em>, <em>kindergartners</em> like my son, <em>teenagers</em>, <em>a preschooler</em>. They were all juveniles, so we decided to try our luck at another, nearby location.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0GdbnVSvj4gkPWEnkJjxSbwSgdzXfhJx9Gd_dO-eEik4Yiz5SmVN90D2Xd54uKE3ArOzPJY-EjjcthZmc703OJIN8GIQ6I1WjGr6vcfKsUjKbLaALXJRx4E1mLTeTMPuq1u8aeNdckf-/s1600/eloedes+during+scorp+scouting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0GdbnVSvj4gkPWEnkJjxSbwSgdzXfhJx9Gd_dO-eEik4Yiz5SmVN90D2Xd54uKE3ArOzPJY-EjjcthZmc703OJIN8GIQ6I1WjGr6vcfKsUjKbLaALXJRx4E1mLTeTMPuq1u8aeNdckf-/s200/eloedes+during+scorp+scouting.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We hit the jackpot at our second stop. Two more eloedes beetles! Yes, but oh the scorpions! We began to lose count at 25 scorpions in only about 30 minutes. We found babies, sub-adults and, just as we decided to head back to the car…the biggies—well big for sand scorpions (photos below). My son was getting tired, and my cousin theorized that more were coming out the later it got, including the big guys. We agreed that next time we should begin our hunt an hour or so after dark to test that theory :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs49M1_ytU8-dWNTSb3Vcwojl-iOCK8iJVrb0tQBWTW1_Y_FcIaC34srdoKbFLygukoMFVQHrHuUGcpERherBNvHQAUhJ_3h5zLne_0YW_UOCyeIHMrL59E09OcI5Cs2_UZugH0biOLrT/s1600/baby+scorpion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs49M1_ytU8-dWNTSb3Vcwojl-iOCK8iJVrb0tQBWTW1_Y_FcIaC34srdoKbFLygukoMFVQHrHuUGcpERherBNvHQAUhJ_3h5zLne_0YW_UOCyeIHMrL59E09OcI5Cs2_UZugH0biOLrT/s400/baby+scorpion.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>No matter their age or size, scorpion</em></span><em><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></em><em><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">morphology stays the same. </span></em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Compare this tiny, half inch baby scorpion...</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM02Z5nBZRn0d4ZSVMEEsRNflo43C5RCi2hqM6MmmMQlgTF3_2G6B6zHsZe7lYc1XL4TpVBWsHv3xiZpxK4UnMK_aCcn1QMzVYoW54-dYfmLFdEV7o8rCmoyOwu15fxG2QOYC0GlIpTQB/s1600/%2527teenage%2527+scorpion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM02Z5nBZRn0d4ZSVMEEsRNflo43C5RCi2hqM6MmmMQlgTF3_2G6B6zHsZe7lYc1XL4TpVBWsHv3xiZpxK4UnMK_aCcn1QMzVYoW54-dYfmLFdEV7o8rCmoyOwu15fxG2QOYC0GlIpTQB/s400/%2527teenage%2527+scorpion.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>A "teenager" about one inch in length...</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRSuu9HcEBWkqi3tkNrr6YyGwysJqZlMyNjxO2WHuAu6Dk4p71IfLF1aysIYFwwBHihdDkyyaZYcBScPNX17HoT3oYapYGPGtG0-gZN9TA4X7kaDb4CMWGuNfpbGebDkMw6ehXddk3e3W/s1600/sand+scorpion4-UV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRSuu9HcEBWkqi3tkNrr6YyGwysJqZlMyNjxO2WHuAu6Dk4p71IfLF1aysIYFwwBHihdDkyyaZYcBScPNX17HoT3oYapYGPGtG0-gZN9TA4X7kaDb4CMWGuNfpbGebDkMw6ehXddk3e3W/s400/sand+scorpion4-UV.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">An adult sand scorpion about 2 inches in length. 2 1/2" to 3" with its "tail" flat.</span></em></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNv6LjhyphenhyphenfNdvdm4b7b4tjOro9Rry_IqHRMOT-cEeCfKCXDBa-n6GOiQnwmqHpWtCiWZ8m49HjDOqqmm6rTBe_5j6XhyWz2SXSLXJkKuxxLTlEeBUedSw9pTtQ3Ydd-RSQjCj_-fz4HO4t/s1600/scorpion+scouts3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNv6LjhyphenhyphenfNdvdm4b7b4tjOro9Rry_IqHRMOT-cEeCfKCXDBa-n6GOiQnwmqHpWtCiWZ8m49HjDOqqmm6rTBe_5j6XhyWz2SXSLXJkKuxxLTlEeBUedSw9pTtQ3Ydd-RSQjCj_-fz4HO4t/s200/scorpion+scouts3.JPG" width="148" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My son was into it during our first stop, it was like a treasure hunt to him, but the tiny scorpions (or little lobsters as he first called them), weren’t impressing him. Especially since they stayed perfectly still. Maybe he was expecting a different kind of treasure. He even questioned if they were real. The adventure began to wear off for him along with his patience. However, he did get excited when he spotted the scorpions first and also when we found two large scorpions during our second stop :) I’m glad I left the whole natural history of the scorpion schpiel for another time. *wink*</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Later, before bedtime I asked him if he had fun and he said, yep he really did (sans the stink bugs of which he didn’t like). YAY! I cheered inside, maybe just maybe he will be my scorpion-hunting buddy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thinking about giving scorpion hunting a try? READ THESE FIVE TIPS! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First, read up on scorpions in your area: what species, if any, do you have in your area and what terrain you’re most likely to find them; how venomous are they? Avoid getting stung—do not harass, handle, touch, collect, or bother the scorpions you find.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Second, know your search area, scout it out in daylight first! Be very familiar with local hazards like cactus, snakes (we do not do this activity in the summer months), and man made hazards like junk piles, abandon wells/mines, temporary shelters, roads, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Third, always wear closed in shoes and check your shoes and pants with the UV lights to make sure you don’t have any “hitchhikers.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fourth, skip the full and near full moon nights. Great for seeing your way through the desert night, but not for scorpions who seem to take cover, away from such a bright light (easier for predators to spy them). Choose the new moon or similar dark moon nights.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWuCuJ-L0hkyaqGoON51LjZy7BbjHKqL-vP-8Rr8yMmltvgfR_V9TTo1umagJwzB1X88mADGIB8ua33WmVJJSkMcKFuRWMoqTmd2FtLQo7tD2wOkPgJGkLgKNbxdcDiLXh2fE0fqKZKQb/s1600/scorpion+UV-white+light+comparison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWuCuJ-L0hkyaqGoON51LjZy7BbjHKqL-vP-8Rr8yMmltvgfR_V9TTo1umagJwzB1X88mADGIB8ua33WmVJJSkMcKFuRWMoqTmd2FtLQo7tD2wOkPgJGkLgKNbxdcDiLXh2fE0fqKZKQb/s400/scorpion+UV-white+light+comparison.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And finally, you need a UV light (black light). Flashlights are recommended but don’t use both simultaneously and do not rely on spotting scorpions with a white light, they are nearly impossible to see for most. Manuever your path slowly, using the black light only. Portable black lights can be found at some hobby stores, gem and mineral stores, auto accessory stores, and on line. Don’t forget the batteries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have fun and be safe!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div></span>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-57698323435963216362011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:002011-10-28T00:01:55.090-07:00From the archives: Creature “Spirits”It's a busy little Halloween weekend here at Caliso, so we pulled a spooktacular post from the archives of witch--ooops, <em>which</em> we think you ghouls will enjoy!<br /><br />It covers the paranormal--actually it covers the very normal activities and sounds of familiar creatures that just may explain the ghostly scream you heard beyond the trees, or why certain objects keep moving mysteriously around your home.<br /><br /><em>Please note that the links at the end of the post are not linking directly anymore. All we had to do was <strong>copy/paste</strong> the links to listen to the eerie wild animal calls; but oh so worth it as they are sure to send a chill down your spine (they sound amazingly like a human screams, and even a baby crying). </em><br /><br />So, click on "Creature Spirits" below...if you dare. Mwahahahaaa!<br /><br /><a href="http://restoreyournature.blogspot.com/2010/10/creature-spirits.html?spref=bl">Restore Your (Family) Nature: Creature “Spirits”</a>: Confession time. I’m a huge fan of all shows that chase after evidence of ghosts, cryptozoological creatures (like Bigfoot), and UFOs. I can...The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-85295340481725085162011-10-25T18:30:00.000-07:002011-10-25T18:30:44.410-07:00Leaf Me Never: Fall Leaf Garland Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrxQ-fNuohxF076mDPrQTPSI1oU1TlhjF272zbFlrgDoI06vLlRxmrk7ttbdZ_FU94dIEsDAPFQEBwTRI_l23fmYDASPSHBT52WcydQSiubE6ZKIVb8VcHg7poDb8TEXlySVAhP8sW31T/s1600/fall+garland+activity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrxQ-fNuohxF076mDPrQTPSI1oU1TlhjF272zbFlrgDoI06vLlRxmrk7ttbdZ_FU94dIEsDAPFQEBwTRI_l23fmYDASPSHBT52WcydQSiubE6ZKIVb8VcHg7poDb8TEXlySVAhP8sW31T/s200/fall+garland+activity.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ah fall, quite possibly my FAVORITE time of year. For this desert native, I love autumn and the cooler temperatures it brings—perfect for hiking, camping, and just hanging outside, taking in nature. This family activity is a great craft to complete outdoors this time of year! It is easy and fun to create using nature’s beautiful fall leaves or at least being inspired by them. With this idea you can make a fall garland, a leaf booklet (use the hole and ribbon to create your book bind), a family portrait garland, place tags for a family dinner, or what ever else your creative mind takes you. Let’s grab some leaves and have fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfWCGHAQ3lVJ_TVGdq3mC7dmc_kMVytG4RUzmMEdaJfneFihIFLeVynf-ugqAqOImN2hVL71GRbBagPwsdC_SYNJs4dKF_U9ShNwa7oaVzr-M9Enx4FbaWJP10hZhFs9gYBEc2CThkHFS/s1600/fall+garland+activity+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfWCGHAQ3lVJ_TVGdq3mC7dmc_kMVytG4RUzmMEdaJfneFihIFLeVynf-ugqAqOImN2hVL71GRbBagPwsdC_SYNJs4dKF_U9ShNwa7oaVzr-M9Enx4FbaWJP10hZhFs9gYBEc2CThkHFS/s200/fall+garland+activity+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd;">You’ll need:</span></strong></u> <em>Leaves (fake or real…if real, make sure they are still soft and bendy), glitter (think fall gold, orange, red, brown, yellow), hole puncher, glue, ribbon, scissors.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we also recommend plastic or wax paper surface as glue will seep through leaves, family photos, mini clamps for holding pictures in place while drying, wire or wire ribbon for tendril affect.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><u>Directions:</u></strong></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Collect your leaves</span></strong> (even more adventurous to collect REAL fall leaves if those are available to you—just make sure they’re still soft and bendy). We used fake leaves because, well, we don’t have “fall” in the desert! You could make mini-garlands (faerie garlands) with smaller native leaves, something we’ll try some other day. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KdR7GmE677Ki4JQXpc5TcUs3behDK0EGy9dn9GGIKBl2e0sAjWUGcE5nINsvYout0kaOa4RGRTzHWtcVnQbmXEwxaXTiKlnjtfSHqje88vJ_N16P_dgb91-huVa7ceuFbyfjP1-Sexct/s1600/fall+garland+activity+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KdR7GmE677Ki4JQXpc5TcUs3behDK0EGy9dn9GGIKBl2e0sAjWUGcE5nINsvYout0kaOa4RGRTzHWtcVnQbmXEwxaXTiKlnjtfSHqje88vJ_N16P_dgb91-huVa7ceuFbyfjP1-Sexct/s200/fall+garland+activity+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Make a hole with the hole punch near the top center of the leaf.</span></strong> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Depending on how you want to hang them, that could be at the leaf stem, leaf tip, from the side or even near the center of the leaf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznfMsmQt0BHIo4cMF-t-wfsVZ05FcCh610ftfbFIAmO8DfrWZbrP1QHGpQRKaG9Bn5lQwuiun0na-3xyTRo_J6FgBl-PFMu8sUq1SRQoGCHKdeRHHCV49DOOG9cqXft1YooYHMOmhhFws/s1600/fall+garland+activity+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznfMsmQt0BHIo4cMF-t-wfsVZ05FcCh610ftfbFIAmO8DfrWZbrP1QHGpQRKaG9Bn5lQwuiun0na-3xyTRo_J6FgBl-PFMu8sUq1SRQoGCHKdeRHHCV49DOOG9cqXft1YooYHMOmhhFws/s200/fall+garland+activity+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3ndC_6mLLyEmBnwhFCWzXk-5Rlm1VbchGIJu7fDXc-jI8cZXfDIYdZMSWohVf4SFOGEfINyZMV5-G38XVqluz9Hp4S8Hr-4AgxCfk4JbjAWS-aLiy_QroUINoA97tdfw3NjCOiKTZ2tL/s1600/fall+garland+activity+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3ndC_6mLLyEmBnwhFCWzXk-5Rlm1VbchGIJu7fDXc-jI8cZXfDIYdZMSWohVf4SFOGEfINyZMV5-G38XVqluz9Hp4S8Hr-4AgxCfk4JbjAWS-aLiy_QroUINoA97tdfw3NjCOiKTZ2tL/s200/fall+garland+activity+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Decorate your leaves.</span></strong> Here are some ideas: use a pen to draw, write messages, poems, jokes, or your favorite quote, glue glitter in designs or on the leaf edges, glue photos on the leaves and decorate with each one with glittery frames. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little ones can just dab glue about randomly and shake on some glitter…it will look fabulous! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes it’s nice to leave some leaves blank to string in between your glittery delights, but how it’s made is entirely up to you!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Let your leaves <u>completely</u> dry before stringing!</span></strong> This is a good time for a snack break, take your nap, do your homework, or run around the yard for play exercise. You also could pick up the dog droppings or wash the dishes for mom or dad, but I was just thinking outloud.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">String leaves for hanging.</span></strong> Leave about 6”—8” of ribbon (or wire) on each end for tying loops for hanging. String through the holes your punched earlier. We recommend looping the ribbon (or wire) around stems to keep leaves in place on your garland, or you can double loop the ribbon through the hole, this will also hold your leaf in place and keep in from sliding along the garland. If you are stringing through the center of the leave, try tying a loose knot on either side (both sides of your leaf) to help keep it from sliding.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> If using wire (our preference), be sure to leave lots of extra for making tendrils and still having enough left over for the end of your garland! You can always add wire at stems for a seamless line :) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">For tendrils…wrap wire around a pencil or your finger.</span></strong> Remove finger or pencil ;)</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Ready to hang!</span></strong> Decorate a fall basket, a centerpiece, archway, outdoor niche, the gate or front door…hang your fall treasure anywhere you wish to enjoy.</span></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Let us know how it goes, share photos of your garlands and any tips with us!</em></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-77585319180754735162011-08-18T10:18:00.000-07:002011-08-18T10:18:33.708-07:00Breakfast Geology<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Good Morning Bunnies! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How about a little bacon and eggs for breakfast? We're pretty sure this is how geologists get their proteins and minerals ;)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y7hAJiFZRNgwoh6pfVCsRCLluWi8907AB2PH4MtS-qOqhu_oxtjcbtO4t_jK_uWH1iWYzxa9JWn4UYHMvDdmnmQBpv8wa6Y64cKVwMIxbIMi1BpVpCnL6YRp6JRMe5Tv3pxFOMocKlgQ/s1600/Bacon+and+eggs+geology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y7hAJiFZRNgwoh6pfVCsRCLluWi8907AB2PH4MtS-qOqhu_oxtjcbtO4t_jK_uWH1iWYzxa9JWn4UYHMvDdmnmQBpv8wa6Y64cKVwMIxbIMi1BpVpCnL6YRp6JRMe5Tv3pxFOMocKlgQ/s400/Bacon+and+eggs+geology.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We love this quirky find in the </span><a href="http://hidesertnaturemuseum.org/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi-Desert Nature Museum's</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> (Yucca Valley, CA) geology display. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Howlite</strong></em> is commonly found as carvings, or in jewelry. It is a porous mineral, easily dyed to look like turquoise because of the similar look of the veining patterns. Dyed howlite (or magnesite) is marketed as <em>turquenite.</em> Howlite is also sold in its natural state, sometimes under the names "white turquoise" or "white buffalo turquoise," or "white buffalo stone" (none of which are true turquoise). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Honey Onyx </em></strong>is a delicate, soft stone often used as a decorative and architectural stone for kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, and as stone sheets and tiles. It is particularly beautiful when back lit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Travertine </em></strong>is a sedimentary limestone deposited by hot mineral springs or in limestone caves ("flowstone"). It is sometimes marketed as travertine limestone or travertine marble (it is <em>not</em> a marble). Travertine is often formed in creeks or rivers, or in caves as stalagmites and stalactites. Sometimes flowstone cave structures are deposited into thin sheets called "draperies" or "curtains" with brown and beige layers that look like bacon--often called "cave bacon."</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><em>"Cave bacon," a type of flowstone. Image by DanielCD</em></span></div></td></tr>
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<em><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Source Wikipedia</span></em>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-30577976983439814482011-07-24T18:10:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:10:41.882-07:00Predator or Prey<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My husband took our 4-year old to our favorite <a href="http://www.livingdesert.org/">desert zoo and botanical park</a>. One of their most recent additions is the North American Jaguar exhibit. As you enter the exhibit, you walk along a path surrounded by familiar Sonoran desert vegetation (familiar to us anyway!), where you can easily imagine this beautiful large cat lurking somewhere nearby. Careful observation yields jaguar tracks and even its scat—convincing enough to invite a little fear into the back of your mind, <em>there’s no way this thing got out, right?</em> Then you are at once upon the exhibit, with glass and fencing that blend away so easily that you can easily enter into the veil of a wild and free close encounter with this predatory cat. It was here that my husband and son had an amazing, albeit a little creepy experience.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My husband had to follow up on scheduled call and while he was doing that, my son sat in the little zoo wagon watching the jaguar. And the jaguar was watching him. Rather, the jaguar was <em>stalking</em> him. Each moment my husband would turn away from the jaguar (only seconds at a time), it moved closer to my son, always watching him. My son noticed the jaguar moving closer and told my husband. <em>What a great learning opportunity</em> my hubby thought, and so they decided to “test” it. Sure enough when my husband simply looked away, the jaguar would move in closer. When my husband was looking at the jaguar, the jaguar would glance at my husband. It moved quickly from the cover of one bush to another.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-alXLWwYryS5FsvW1Q_fy75-cfQdG7zUFhRuYCSplY7je2gyrbtEKn5Sw-CM_MhwZOzu_tJ_yuEy16CM-DvkN0qh6Zkf2p2NJnsVpvLdYbpHSx_-E1Tm4cb7CyMjdr3fHmZtWtmwBiUU/s1600/TLD+jaguar+stalking+Jeffery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-alXLWwYryS5FsvW1Q_fy75-cfQdG7zUFhRuYCSplY7je2gyrbtEKn5Sw-CM_MhwZOzu_tJ_yuEy16CM-DvkN0qh6Zkf2p2NJnsVpvLdYbpHSx_-E1Tm4cb7CyMjdr3fHmZtWtmwBiUU/s400/TLD+jaguar+stalking+Jeffery.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The photos are of the jaguar after it moved in, now crouched beside some bushes, less than 5 feet away from my son. Notice how his paw is forward in the second shot which to me, looks like he’s entering a “pounce” position. It was enough to give both my husband and son an uncomfortable feeling. In my sons words, <em>“that was creepy daddy.”</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've often heard of similar experiences with young children and large cats at zoos, in fact years ago one of the mountain lions here used to watch small children very intently and show similar behaviour within its enclosure. I think it's a fascinating opportunity to see these elusive animals react in such an instinctive way. I imagine it’s an intense experience, especially when you realize YOU are the prey that is triggering this instinctive behavior. As for my son, he bravely returned to the exhibit (very reluctantly at first) in order to show me the jaguar that he, <em>“thinks wanted to jump on me mommy.”</em> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Only the week before my son enthusiastically learned about carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores in zoo camp, including his preschooler perspective, <em>“I’m meat mommy, so there are animals that would want to eat me!”</em> which led to this interesting opportunity to apply those same concepts when talking about his encounter with this particular meat-eater. (Not to mention an additional opportunity to reinforce some favorite bedtime stories on courage and compassion through a gentle and supportive pep talk on courage that helped my brave little guy return to see the same cat less than an hour later!)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It could end up being a memorable experience that will stay with him for a bite..er bit :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-22583722625932136282011-07-21T10:37:00.000-07:002011-07-21T10:39:25.840-07:00Spontaneous Critter Encounters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaKdEm6ZfvXCBTZEqUDKMiX6bN99m_x__JbvWnuVW7bA3Y_qz2Mbt9ByAvK0O00-6js_sZMsbQP_A8zfj3Ij10pDJq-k8rCJn35UCKIUx0LMrnNDDlZPCKqBPhRAZrChPIDT6GEHIPMdC/s1600/jeffery%2527s+june+beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaKdEm6ZfvXCBTZEqUDKMiX6bN99m_x__JbvWnuVW7bA3Y_qz2Mbt9ByAvK0O00-6js_sZMsbQP_A8zfj3Ij10pDJq-k8rCJn35UCKIUx0LMrnNDDlZPCKqBPhRAZrChPIDT6GEHIPMdC/s320/jeffery%2527s+june+beetle.jpg" t$="true" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This beautiful <em>June Beetle</em> flew into our car this morning just as we were leaving for zoo camp. Spontaneous critter encounters are the best! It was a great reminder to have handy a safe and secure critter catcher for up close viewing. These encounters are exciting and you want to be able to take advantage of such a wonderful moment with your children. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A mason jar with a screen lid, a jar with its lid punched with nail holes, or a small pet store critter carrier are all great standby's for safely catching, securing and viewing unexpected visitors before releasing. Having more than one on hand is sometimes useful as we have all three but this plastic one was perfect for taking with us for sharing. Why not keep one in your car for the park, the trail, or when camping, or at a friend’s house—you never know when a critter may stop by to say hello for a short visit!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DMo-rITpffwlJ0cXewusXi46bIdbW9BrQMQ_0zfoUIvk1AiLJH7l7kCZRtpkQdpevgbV-TBv9O-CdlF-_eYyExins3DSbc0xIzKBPza1jwYdMgLLE2kf2dKfSSpkiEE1LQp35pXzHzcC/s1600/critter+catchers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DMo-rITpffwlJ0cXewusXi46bIdbW9BrQMQ_0zfoUIvk1AiLJH7l7kCZRtpkQdpevgbV-TBv9O-CdlF-_eYyExins3DSbc0xIzKBPza1jwYdMgLLE2kf2dKfSSpkiEE1LQp35pXzHzcC/s320/critter+catchers.jpg" t$="true" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We recommend releasing critters after a few hours of viewing—so get those field guides out, take some photos, and identify it while you can. Use a hand lens to get up close viewing that you wouldn’t normally be able to do. It’s fascinating! Even though you are being VERY careful with them by not moving the container around or tapping on it, you can imagine it is likely a stressful situation for your critter. This can affect their health very, very quickly as it is not an ideal environment for them (being enclosed, experiencing unnatural temperature variations and being away from their natural resources and cycles they rely on throughout the day or night). Just keep that in mind but be sure to enjoy this spontaneous gift from nature, then release your critter near where you found it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Three cheers for cool, green, metallic beetles! Bugs--bugs--bugs!</span></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-16668673932690164172011-07-10T18:02:00.000-07:002011-07-10T18:02:17.158-07:00SDBG's Insect Fair & Hamilton Children’s Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3ouYGPnJxaPQwdMNGfP-02wjlI4L2ZcFT_AibOcYKwM26smc7RXYPbXGQPhQG8mRKrRMEiFHnqbKDLV2857yTBHE-RPhN5bBVbJk_ljhwZYccALwvjaTfqzGOkD-SteK_Wgnv-VeVYj8/s1600/Quail+Botanical+Gardens+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3ouYGPnJxaPQwdMNGfP-02wjlI4L2ZcFT_AibOcYKwM26smc7RXYPbXGQPhQG8mRKrRMEiFHnqbKDLV2857yTBHE-RPhN5bBVbJk_ljhwZYccALwvjaTfqzGOkD-SteK_Wgnv-VeVYj8/s200/Quail+Botanical+Gardens+009.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of us who live in the southern California desert, summer temperatures tend to limit our options for outdoor play time and exploration. One way to get around this is to escape to cooler areas like the mountains or the beach. We enjoyed a great day trip to the <em>Hamilton Children’s Garden</em> at the San Diego Botanic Gardens (formerly Quail Bontanic Gardens) in Encinitas, CA. This weekend’s event was their annual <em>Insect Fair</em> and we went especially for that event.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicutYeMqakPdZmpilQggck3n4zXVTTxMQeNh8IsCIK54OgpMJw9XD3j53gmep5dumAqfu4CI0ZpsVzNM1qdGCKOxLiZIlshvteiwndYURYLrhhUnbcqOcfWHqIAe0oM6aOLj8TZcdq_2sP/s1600/insect+fair+film+stripA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicutYeMqakPdZmpilQggck3n4zXVTTxMQeNh8IsCIK54OgpMJw9XD3j53gmep5dumAqfu4CI0ZpsVzNM1qdGCKOxLiZIlshvteiwndYURYLrhhUnbcqOcfWHqIAe0oM6aOLj8TZcdq_2sP/s400/insect+fair+film+stripA.JPG" width="117px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We learned about a variety of native and exotic insects, reptiles, and birds. Many live critters were on hand to get visitors up close to the many creatures we share our planet with everyday. All of these first encounters started near the wonderful <em>Undersea Succulent Garden</em> which is filled with beautiful tiled sculptures, lava stone, huge shells, and marine glass planted planted among succulents that looked very much like ocean coral, sea stars and other marine critters. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nearby, young visitors and their parents played in nature with some water play, bubbles, plant creatures, garden play houses, dino dig, a miniature railroad, and crafts within the <em>Seeds of Wonder</em> garden, especially created for toddlers and preschoolers. While on the other side of the park, the laughter and energy of children climbing up and under a huge tree house, splashing in a stream, creating music in a musical garden, spelling and smelling in an alphabet garden, herb and salad gardens, exploring a grass maze, and boulder jumping in the "rock hopping" garden (you must hop from boulder to boulder, no touching the ground!), led the day for families in the equally fantastic <em>Hamilton Children’s Garden</em>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8r1GqDStIhfmNllMVqOO5FPStmnZFf71iFmpxKIOXZdICnROO9ZmsbpBQNR-kdX8lJQnLk-Qm87YHbeFILRZGGqeMLBsjfrDPLdvPCpIm8fFj_qCAgvC1wgKxicV5WYra_t0Rx7Ln7BC/s1600/insect+fair+film+stripB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8r1GqDStIhfmNllMVqOO5FPStmnZFf71iFmpxKIOXZdICnROO9ZmsbpBQNR-kdX8lJQnLk-Qm87YHbeFILRZGGqeMLBsjfrDPLdvPCpIm8fFj_qCAgvC1wgKxicV5WYra_t0Rx7Ln7BC/s400/insect+fair+film+stripB.JPG" width="110px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What an amazing place! You will likely find something for the entire family to experience between the amazing gardens, integrated sculptures, children’s play areas and specialty gardens, trails and lookouts. We found a lot of hidden whimsy throughout the day in the form of critters, “secret” hideaways and paths, artful, enchanting gardens and inspiring displays.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.sdbgarden.org/children.htm">their site</a> for more information about the <em>Seeds of Wonder</em> garden of delights for the little ones and the huge tree house to be explored and climbed on in the Hamilton Garden! Some of their annual events include the <em>Chocolate Festival, Fairy Festival, Garden of Lights, Lady Bug Day, Orchid Festival</em> and much more! Click <a href="http://www.sdbgarden.org/children.htm">San Diego Botanic Garden</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you’d like to see more pictures from our day at the San Diego Botanic Garden check out our Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2200962229610.2130330.1413952379&l=330aeda06a">album</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div></span>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-56954708209274530942011-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:002011-06-21T17:29:39.613-07:00Sun Painting<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A great project to try for celebrating the beginning of summer is sun painting. You can usually find sun painting kits, sun-sensitive papers & paints online or in nature, craft, and educational catalogs and stores. But for this post we went “old school,” simply using dark construction paper (avoiding fade resistent/archival papers). </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6PFYG_OdAtgs6CI_NOPFpI-QOfOa_QZtdWKdFsiXqdsI_aASfo0OEpfrdvw2yBA0UkhKLJhbwZ8bgouq2mOAMqpmh_4tRTJsTecCgYIdXsS1FfajcddKn53Dr4cPuNi3vh0DK4b7xqH2/s1600/sun+paintings-summer+solstice2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6PFYG_OdAtgs6CI_NOPFpI-QOfOa_QZtdWKdFsiXqdsI_aASfo0OEpfrdvw2yBA0UkhKLJhbwZ8bgouq2mOAMqpmh_4tRTJsTecCgYIdXsS1FfajcddKn53Dr4cPuNi3vh0DK4b7xqH2/s400/sun+paintings-summer+solstice2011.JPG" width="151px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do you recognize any of</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">the objects we used?</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By experimenting with junk drawer items along with objects found in nature and in my son’s toy box, we enjoyed an easy, mess-free activity. Creative play emerges when you begin to arrange your items in patterns, themes, radial designs, or if you decide to cut out paper snowflakes or other designs to lay atop the dark paper. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Materials:</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dark colored construction paper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Natural objects (leaves, twigs, pine cones, and so on) or household objects (scissors, keys, combs, and so on)</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Easy-peezy directions:</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place paper outside in direct sunlight</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Arrange objects on paper in random order, patterns, a mandala-inspired design, etc. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leave objects in place for a couple of hours (make sure paper remains in sun during that time!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remove objects and admire your sun painting creation!</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*TIPS* </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The flatter the object lays, the crisper the image it will leave behind.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Use small rocks or other weighted items to hold objects flat or in place, but watch for any shadow they might create in your design.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enjoy collecting your objects and experimenting with their layout. This is a great “background” activity to add to a summer day. My son took his afternoon nap during the couple of hours needed for our images to appear nicely. You can do this project in between seeing a movie, enjoying some pool time, taking a hike or bike ride while you wait for your sun painting. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Happy Summer Solstice!</em></strong></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For a "how-to" sun painting with colorful sun-sensitive paints, please see </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/make/how-tuesday-sun-painting-12671/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span> <br />
<div> </div><div align="left"></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-77700843508440269932011-06-12T23:38:00.000-07:002011-06-12T23:38:22.918-07:00Floating Mandalas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AWpuMmcJ6RTj5Vi0apugYUsEzZayx2hiO_jXuW9oxZGZKDMj65H7tSlg6PBwrrqUiNWQEKYBVYcHtJ87XgBvB2e9NthiKEyY1jM0xxh8aMXdScrDvnR769AbpCJUEi8tJgFUWODJJ18R/s1600/floating+mandalas--water+celebration+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AWpuMmcJ6RTj5Vi0apugYUsEzZayx2hiO_jXuW9oxZGZKDMj65H7tSlg6PBwrrqUiNWQEKYBVYcHtJ87XgBvB2e9NthiKEyY1jM0xxh8aMXdScrDvnR769AbpCJUEi8tJgFUWODJJ18R/s200/floating+mandalas--water+celebration+%25281%2529.jpg" t8="true" width="196px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend our family enjoyed a fun day at one of our favorite local preserves, </span><a href="http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_whitewater.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whitewater Preserve</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. I manned an ongoing workshop for their 2nd Annul Water Celebration event, where participants created beautiful floating mandalas made with natural items. Using stems, sticks, leaves, petals, and blossoms visitors arranged these colorful plant elements in a variety of patterns and designs to create their own, wonderful floating mandalas. Our youngest participant was 3 only years old! Mandala creators of all ages enjoyed this relaxing activity throughout the day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wGyxSFjFQQev9rGmAVNfm5duKCkSvhy8t7dbnY82oXbIFV27_LkOS3L90BePhFnvUfRuvU6u-RaSuzN30cce2dplYyT7hlBqIx-paZKrz-Yn-EwuSaBha8Y6Dbi56tCRV6bQC5yHRCMK/s1600/Jeffery%2527s+floating+mandalas+6-11+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wGyxSFjFQQev9rGmAVNfm5duKCkSvhy8t7dbnY82oXbIFV27_LkOS3L90BePhFnvUfRuvU6u-RaSuzN30cce2dplYyT7hlBqIx-paZKrz-Yn-EwuSaBha8Y6Dbi56tCRV6bQC5yHRCMK/s200/Jeffery%2527s+floating+mandalas+6-11+%25281%2529.jpg" t8="true" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A traditional mandala is an ancient circular design which typically represents the universe. It can also be a symbolic expression to connect with the "self." For our mandalas, we were hoping participants would connect with their creative self through nature.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a perfect summertime activity to try at home! All you need is a bowl of water, small dish towel, plant clippers or scissors, and some plant material from your yard like: flowers (to keep whole or for petals), leaves, sticks, seed pods, lightweight bark, etc. Anything natural that you discover will float! Experiment with different ways to use your materials, some of our participants ripped up petals into tiny pieces of "floral confetti" that added a delicate touch to their designs. Sticks were used in many different ways to add visual lines, accents, floral rafts, bridges, barriers and more in many designs. Even your tiniest mandala creator will be able to create something pleasing to the eye, not to mention have a great time playing with these treasures in the water!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are the mandalas created throughout the day <span style="font-size: x-small;">(click photos for larger images)</span>: </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM-504oiptLnBMDlldlZIAnjdbB4-LH1T5NwvW0VNgvPkj1kA6FIEdsfg70c5fNyN2AUdhpbwxYay5YgmprgkaoRMteNfRDVOfoXRKmWkOU0ynusEiFVKbvanpnktKS2QiDKDRo3jYi9v/s1600/floating+mandalas1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM-504oiptLnBMDlldlZIAnjdbB4-LH1T5NwvW0VNgvPkj1kA6FIEdsfg70c5fNyN2AUdhpbwxYay5YgmprgkaoRMteNfRDVOfoXRKmWkOU0ynusEiFVKbvanpnktKS2QiDKDRo3jYi9v/s320/floating+mandalas1.JPG" t8="true" width="216px" /></a> <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEadRghifVnUR02OFSaxWJibcQhqK96QgOXfDbgGZBZhnzGE0cvuWzotYcdgJ4y1YBbKZbPdiDcAEGLgaEmty3K6Ym_6Bc2zchJ389L6-3FRkzCJGptsr2kMPc2xkUWYtXxLiOutumP50/s1600/floating+mandalas3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEadRghifVnUR02OFSaxWJibcQhqK96QgOXfDbgGZBZhnzGE0cvuWzotYcdgJ4y1YBbKZbPdiDcAEGLgaEmty3K6Ym_6Bc2zchJ389L6-3FRkzCJGptsr2kMPc2xkUWYtXxLiOutumP50/s320/floating+mandalas3.JPG" t8="true" width="216px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ewreaRPAWOvYEQwrTRaW3nmORldx8aHNoZABaMULDRWQQfExt-k_nvUwSuuwifOW2QYmcMfJ0sVsWemmUkPz_dZvD_OXljqg-OLLQyl15oHKA-J8chSrisrEurQWNBzatO8mftD9X6cm/s1600/floating+mandalas4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ewreaRPAWOvYEQwrTRaW3nmORldx8aHNoZABaMULDRWQQfExt-k_nvUwSuuwifOW2QYmcMfJ0sVsWemmUkPz_dZvD_OXljqg-OLLQyl15oHKA-J8chSrisrEurQWNBzatO8mftD9X6cm/s320/floating+mandalas4.JPG" t8="true" width="217px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQn5zuf1ctig1-JjKFSNDNc_-ouNJRbADc_ggEv2dGdGATtmNMlChoFygddKfvOKgmTuwLr3YzHVQ4twOgFp-FR63eHz5wAcloCZL06nQYOkuAyRyrI_hGlRXN3eG9wUCEjk5vGhjB9qs/s1600/floating+mandalas5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQn5zuf1ctig1-JjKFSNDNc_-ouNJRbADc_ggEv2dGdGATtmNMlChoFygddKfvOKgmTuwLr3YzHVQ4twOgFp-FR63eHz5wAcloCZL06nQYOkuAyRyrI_hGlRXN3eG9wUCEjk5vGhjB9qs/s320/floating+mandalas5.JPG" t8="true" width="212px" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d71RddS2xXmOZzH4IPJqGpSwDyEg5cNUQYd2AmPRgPI6-hqTOumFJe4sexlh9GLldbezdMZMh3IN9N09YkZU-EmlUAWRG5GL7I7nXvo9b4-FKcBZ_RLe6cNvW-O_W5CF_M1zY4ki6dhA/s1600/floating+mandalas6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d71RddS2xXmOZzH4IPJqGpSwDyEg5cNUQYd2AmPRgPI6-hqTOumFJe4sexlh9GLldbezdMZMh3IN9N09YkZU-EmlUAWRG5GL7I7nXvo9b4-FKcBZ_RLe6cNvW-O_W5CF_M1zY4ki6dhA/s320/floating+mandalas6.JPG" t8="true" width="214px" /></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkSk2OJJUHj20fAXP4FGEXAeBL_XXWGuYXRtLMQWU9NGaWWP4W7f0CuTF13dMULa5olQ6oUXGgOxt6AzTKB0sHmuBlBF-XlI-Pg5tP0TU2pvdZxwCnYc-7SgFHWiutkC_6bzymDBlJQLn/s1600/floating+mandalas2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkSk2OJJUHj20fAXP4FGEXAeBL_XXWGuYXRtLMQWU9NGaWWP4W7f0CuTF13dMULa5olQ6oUXGgOxt6AzTKB0sHmuBlBF-XlI-Pg5tP0TU2pvdZxwCnYc-7SgFHWiutkC_6bzymDBlJQLn/s320/floating+mandalas2.JPG" t8="true" width="230px" /></a></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-31297483786129162072011-05-24T14:52:00.000-07:002011-05-24T14:52:27.066-07:00Making Tracks Hiking Stick<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K7BGHMUYNlLhmQuOqynmeSb7dt1RGINGMLwcvhhMYOHA00bJSreYUpanRqQaLW3W1YqWmAlGRti6IUUYlGL4X7e65jfAupLwwSi6HKVpm05HSUIM-i6UR9j9_u3pLNqvT4ESDD74zPSm/s1600/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K7BGHMUYNlLhmQuOqynmeSb7dt1RGINGMLwcvhhMYOHA00bJSreYUpanRqQaLW3W1YqWmAlGRti6IUUYlGL4X7e65jfAupLwwSi6HKVpm05HSUIM-i6UR9j9_u3pLNqvT4ESDD74zPSm/s200/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25282%2529.jpg" t8="true" width="150px" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This morning my 4-year old son and I made trail sticks (aka walking sticks) together. I thought my little guy would get into creating his own hiking stick with either trail symbols or animal tracks. Since he is familiar with, and into animal tracks right now, I went with that theme. Here are the five simple steps to our activity: </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSQ4-S8QBH3w4gMd9cLtAVnkcPjN3SaIlNiVabU97fsX_THp8k6mCa5bT8cgczzG5n9ZPj6qDb3J4MmfQBKa5FqEQMA_CscSyKfSW5OyCO_FDpsfeumYDye5YmCRssUz46IKaVMe7TJsr/s1600/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSQ4-S8QBH3w4gMd9cLtAVnkcPjN3SaIlNiVabU97fsX_THp8k6mCa5bT8cgczzG5n9ZPj6qDb3J4MmfQBKa5FqEQMA_CscSyKfSW5OyCO_FDpsfeumYDye5YmCRssUz46IKaVMe7TJsr/s640/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25281%2529.JPG" t8="true" width="216px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">1. Find the perfect stick.</span></strong> We already had the perfect piece of wood stashed in the garage—found ages ago—that I decided to saw in half to create two pint-sized yet sturdy hiking poles for my son, but it would be a naturally fun extension to go outside in search of a stick to use!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">2. Note your child’s “sweet spot.”</span></strong> I recommend first having your child grasp their hiking stick to see where their hand will naturally lay when using. Leave that part blank, free of any drawings that will wear off or embellishments that will affect their grip. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">3. Keep it simple, a quick reference.</span></strong> We chose four commonly encountered tracks and I made photocopies of these along with a 1:1 scale ruler to add to his stick for measuring tracks along the trail. Older kids can draw their own tracks with the animal’s name, and actual track sizes copied from field guides, along with a ruler guide (make sure it’s drawn to scale), 6” is fine. For younger children, print out tracks (shrink images to fit stick), with the name of the animal and actual track size. Have little ones color in and glue them onto their sticks. (Hint: Coat glued on tracks with ModPodge Matte Finish to seal for longer wear.)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">4. Be sure to include the ruler!</span></strong> For measuring tracks and other things you encounter on the trail. We ended up using our pre-measured print out to hand draw our rulers directly onto our sticks, because we liked the look of that better :) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherJ7awIiqDn2kKbjVS9yzr7X9STMuJC_Nl4cvu8sSYRcEaddZB77o8-77vKp8mRi2OsQn1sttlU7SvQnefxhPGnbRlcYMrqpWhReoDrtr1XZyj3GJQuR3q0RPlfhIh8nV-PuXrtJjv7SA/s1600/making+tracks+hiking+sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherJ7awIiqDn2kKbjVS9yzr7X9STMuJC_Nl4cvu8sSYRcEaddZB77o8-77vKp8mRi2OsQn1sttlU7SvQnefxhPGnbRlcYMrqpWhReoDrtr1XZyj3GJQuR3q0RPlfhIh8nV-PuXrtJjv7SA/s320/making+tracks+hiking+sticks.jpg" t8="true" width="240px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;">5. Embellish sticks</span></strong> with drawings (my son added a heart), ribbon, yarn, feathers, shells, or scrap leather pieces if you wish. I recommend placing them part way down the stick, below your child’s track drawings and hand grasp for comfort and ease of use. We added found feathers to ours.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time to enjoy your unique and handy creation! Take your hiking stick on your next hike as a useful tracking guide. Keep adding to it: add trail symbols that could help save your life(!), attach a small compass to the tip, attach a hand lens to one of your ribbons, add feathers, etc. The designs and handy uses are practically endless :)</span></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNlmxaX2V4yQn4YWXNiLuxSfsL06t2HTDThZktHAX8FPgjJfq8IFZTdaQU66tOfrPefYcXY-MUSMbYB2QKiJrLy2jt9NqGNuALrHMzI5WV5pmq6CLSHFjKz8_Tz0pl7Mh4PDzBgRS4l6H/s1600/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNlmxaX2V4yQn4YWXNiLuxSfsL06t2HTDThZktHAX8FPgjJfq8IFZTdaQU66tOfrPefYcXY-MUSMbYB2QKiJrLy2jt9NqGNuALrHMzI5WV5pmq6CLSHFjKz8_Tz0pl7Mh4PDzBgRS4l6H/s320/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25285%2529.jpg" t8="true" width="250px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Good for heading up tree-root ramps too!</span></div></td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img height="96px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSQ4-S8QBH3w4gMd9cLtAVnkcPjN3SaIlNiVabU97fsX_THp8k6mCa5bT8cgczzG5n9ZPj6qDb3J4MmfQBKa5FqEQMA_CscSyKfSW5OyCO_FDpsfeumYDye5YmCRssUz46IKaVMe7TJsr/s640/making+tracks+hiking+sticks+%25281%2529.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 144px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 268px; visibility: hidden;" width="32px" /></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-26845144364563198932011-04-25T22:03:00.000-07:002011-04-25T22:03:48.765-07:00Bird Seed Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7Ik5fee9o32RzgUjujWQ_kL4CoKrpWy11NPAOXbdY3P_QOh_ddNGSW7BZfthyphenhyphennDJZjSTzCR1aeNcMQvgOtJ92mYdvhOIuX3IO51sRM7N5PPH4WvBK_pk91x2UIllYclCwL1mbrrtFc15/s1600/whitewater+easter+2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7Ik5fee9o32RzgUjujWQ_kL4CoKrpWy11NPAOXbdY3P_QOh_ddNGSW7BZfthyphenhyphennDJZjSTzCR1aeNcMQvgOtJ92mYdvhOIuX3IO51sRM7N5PPH4WvBK_pk91x2UIllYclCwL1mbrrtFc15/s200/whitewater+easter+2011+001.jpg" width="132px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On Easter Sunday, we headed out to our favorite nature preserve for a little nature play and egg hunting. Mother Nature had other plans for us though, as it turned out to be way too windy for our original family plans, foiled by constant winds and serious gusts. Just before leaving we went inside the ranger station to talk with our favorite ranger who surprised us with egg-shaped bird seed gifts they were offering to visitors to hide for the wildlife on <a href="http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_whitewater.html">the preserve</a>! A wonderful surprise for us, and my little one eagerly left his bird seed eggs near a water source for critters to find. It was a great addition to our day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is a simple recipe to try these yourself (mold into any shape to make any occassion special):</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/3 cup gelatin</span></div>1-1/2 cups water<br />
8 cups birdseed<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCENt_CRAmWJrM4qiHHfOQDxVqA8pYTQxXK0NWZ0hDep6cmjeyaLK0jlLAzKED1jd8-vtIu8zUf_DgQn_QirkNFj2ODkGoFzrWuS2H5grABD8r7X9Slkpe1nbarCaUrWsq0XNfwiidmZl/s1600/birdseed+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCENt_CRAmWJrM4qiHHfOQDxVqA8pYTQxXK0NWZ0hDep6cmjeyaLK0jlLAzKED1jd8-vtIu8zUf_DgQn_QirkNFj2ODkGoFzrWuS2H5grABD8r7X9Slkpe1nbarCaUrWsq0XNfwiidmZl/s200/birdseed+eggs.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Directions</u>: Mix gelatin and water over low heat until the gelatin is melted and clear. Remove from heat and stir in birdseed. Stir until there is no dry seed. Form mixture into egg shapes. Use plastic Easter eggs as a mold to get the egg shape. Refrigerate for two to four hours and dry on baking rack for three days. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(From Angie Dixon's bird seed gifts at </span><a href="http://www.oopsiedaisydesign.net/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.oopsiedaisydesign.net/</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFyq3D9TQIeflDHEwzvee__vkwf_63WhGpiCzut7ZHsWefgEs59uc5vHX04kLuzZWml_MNF7mZyzuHsGb4G9odxVlBuaeJzS5Vql9Chh1vZNbhoCg0aKaMEal3QMY106xm9VROrxLKnG2/s1600/whitewater+easter+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFyq3D9TQIeflDHEwzvee__vkwf_63WhGpiCzut7ZHsWefgEs59uc5vHX04kLuzZWml_MNF7mZyzuHsGb4G9odxVlBuaeJzS5Vql9Chh1vZNbhoCg0aKaMEal3QMY106xm9VROrxLKnG2/s200/whitewater+easter+2011+003.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding our bird seed eggs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBfsjA7LWtI1iDUVZrV7WKAU6270eGd_sSlLUreCF6Trk8L1ZR3EkuQs6iAJ_RXB9Ut7rhKf_ioybTJSodCh9Eivu0IJ78wF29asdSReDTjYd-YW9lXxl8_nQvL4ZxYTQyP04xxqxmJHv/s1600/whitewater+easter+2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBfsjA7LWtI1iDUVZrV7WKAU6270eGd_sSlLUreCF6Trk8L1ZR3EkuQs6iAJ_RXB9Ut7rhKf_ioybTJSodCh9Eivu0IJ78wF29asdSReDTjYd-YW9lXxl8_nQvL4ZxYTQyP04xxqxmJHv/s200/whitewater+easter+2011+004.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-40395745476198333482011-03-30T03:32:00.000-07:002011-03-30T03:32:11.346-07:00Paint Chip Play<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spring wildflower season is a great time of year to whip out your paint chip rings for fun color matching with your tiny explorers! A Caliso favorite :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwZUpDFnYybSfg_Mj3ZCJAN28cFrRzTYqf9tUwo31Z9_CDhucdsC9JGbMiXT91Da3tiZ6G0m8R8TjvvVjzfHkeGiHtxWBURxB1TA3qPhOTisT8JxtmR1jDZFBnQ_-AUC5gMrq-X_Ehx8i/s1600/paint+chips+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwZUpDFnYybSfg_Mj3ZCJAN28cFrRzTYqf9tUwo31Z9_CDhucdsC9JGbMiXT91Da3tiZ6G0m8R8TjvvVjzfHkeGiHtxWBURxB1TA3qPhOTisT8JxtmR1jDZFBnQ_-AUC5gMrq-X_Ehx8i/s320/paint+chips+family.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But while at our local improvement store, we couldn’t help but notice the variety of names to be found on paint chips. Looking through a section devoted to childrens’ rooms, we found several fun descriptions that reminded us of our own “little sprout.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCwloOG0lHy6eIf6Gnb61IuR_IDxsnIkWjwDCMuWI1sKU_Rw8mo64TIwurmednL47tce_XDJUYE3DNMveX4dSulpJUPawE9ulmE5AJJ-yJcoaaeJKujGSXrpV9x4f96htfS8exvK4QZH3/s1600/mac+%2527n+cheese+please%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCwloOG0lHy6eIf6Gnb61IuR_IDxsnIkWjwDCMuWI1sKU_Rw8mo64TIwurmednL47tce_XDJUYE3DNMveX4dSulpJUPawE9ulmE5AJJ-yJcoaaeJKujGSXrpV9x4f96htfS8exvK4QZH3/s200/mac+%2527n+cheese+please%2521.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We collected a few examples to bring home and had little fun with collage making using a few family photos.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Collect a few paint chips the next time you’re picking up a pack of lightbulbs or new plants fo the garden and spread them out on the table. The visual of plenty of color along with their descriptive names will inspire an hour or so of collage making for your child. Or use the names & colors as prompts for your little ones to create some unique drawings or for writing poems and stories. After studying a bunch of paint chip names, you can also have your child come up with their own descriptive names for colors found in your yard or on the trail!</span></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqME_YKBgRjmTNR6B9_bvKmLjWR1MIM1mUY6zJs4hI02XGgMrwqvO1ZvBXU_p2ZNE7b7jNNgg7Hdpehlbs7skLMd7LSpy00HVFXUEZE0DM9-UUc9_8dy6lU4E3rn8ZhuXMHd5R-MRPZX1/s1600/paint+chips+family2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqME_YKBgRjmTNR6B9_bvKmLjWR1MIM1mUY6zJs4hI02XGgMrwqvO1ZvBXU_p2ZNE7b7jNNgg7Hdpehlbs7skLMd7LSpy00HVFXUEZE0DM9-UUc9_8dy6lU4E3rn8ZhuXMHd5R-MRPZX1/s320/paint+chips+family2.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A random handful of paint chips </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">can get </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the imagination flowing, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">try connecting </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a bunch of paint </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">color names in a silly </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">story or </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">poem: </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I was taking my turtle named </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Pudding</strong> </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>for a walk when I came </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>upon a <strong>Princess</strong> </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>dressed all in </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>pink</strong>. She was very upset </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>and </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>when I asked her what was </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>wrong </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>she cried, “I shall not be </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>allowed to eat </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>M<strong>ac and Cheese</strong> </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>tonight nor g<strong>rape juice</strong> </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>popsicles </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>because I oops-ccidently got a </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>g<strong>rass stain</strong> on my pretty pink </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>o<strong>veralls </strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>and on the toes of my </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>preciously pink </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Ballet Slippers</strong>!” </em></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Oh dear that is a shame,” </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I sighed. I </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>scratched at those </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>two f<strong>reckles</strong> on my </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>wrist when </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I suddenly got an idea that </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>would help <strong>Princess Pink</strong>! </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“<strong>Hush, Hush”</strong> </em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I comforted her. </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I can help…</em></span></div></td></tr>
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</div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-52644184209606598992011-03-25T16:54:00.000-07:002011-03-25T16:54:09.526-07:00Try This For Nature Fun!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-7E2-_w82CjDB3I0nrR3GD_mONO8V15aorPFcKLLkVoinufKIlfArYIvvMt5VgpcDb24HAP5IuXsu1iHu3E-k6I7Mdiw5nIX__ksIYxKRWWm5C5qc7TjciVkwA9e144p3bgGMyfxmpcb/s1600/heart+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-7E2-_w82CjDB3I0nrR3GD_mONO8V15aorPFcKLLkVoinufKIlfArYIvvMt5VgpcDb24HAP5IuXsu1iHu3E-k6I7Mdiw5nIX__ksIYxKRWWm5C5qc7TjciVkwA9e144p3bgGMyfxmpcb/s200/heart+rock.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A common shape.</span></em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recently I had fun running around an oasis searching for the "familiar" in an somewhat <em>unfamiliar</em> environment. Unfamiliar in the sense that looking for the common words or descriptions I was in search of, one would not normally consider a natural environment to find these things. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was a great morning for all of us who participated. We retrained our eyes and brains to observe nature by its components, individual pieces that when looked at them with a different "eye" would present something before us that was actually quiet familiar. For example, natural components like branches became letters of the alphabet, palm fronds became a face, an animal's burrow became a common shape. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzEHZEMjyq4Mfa6biFdKoWizovc-oaJj8xTbGgiYaGbBYVePB5Qy6SxKGHSVp99DzsG6AGTxoZwC1mwo2tjUlb_WWGdHhx1rhMQpH0le1XQtsMksbnFFwV9syKWmPd22_M5KcH4dG8G85/s1600/a+tree+that+sought+a+connection+to+its+earth+brother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzEHZEMjyq4Mfa6biFdKoWizovc-oaJj8xTbGgiYaGbBYVePB5Qy6SxKGHSVp99DzsG6AGTxoZwC1mwo2tjUlb_WWGdHhx1rhMQpH0le1XQtsMksbnFFwV9syKWmPd22_M5KcH4dG8G85/s200/a+tree+that+sought+a+connection+to+its+earth+brother.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Support</span></em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is a great exercise to introduce children who might feel a little apprehensive about venturing into a "wild" environment. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Bringing the <em>familiar</em> into the unfamiliar will help young or new naturalists jump into exploring their surroundings without so much of the anxiety that some may have, especially first-timers. </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Give it try with this short list to get you started--the only rule is that there are no rules, finds are based on each individual's interpretation of that word/description! Have fun photographing your finds or identifying them with a parent partner:</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">a common shape(s)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">support</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">a letter(s) from the alphabet</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">up</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">shelter</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">stripes</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">reflection</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">a found face</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3-colors (in one object)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">opposites</span></div></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>(Don't forget to go over safety/animals/potential hazards important for your chosen environment.)</em></span></div></span> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4tpzdaRF9r0Ktita-xm3FRmfLupRoAcDBE1daed77d1RBC70E8yqbvO86to_iDYwyCmsAlrJVLUgfTcd7z_mq14C_M1ElXy8cPjRl8xi9uzWsdv3NjxQuuMWthGLM_sVj-BmDyve5jM3/s1600/photo+safari+LETTER+3-23-11+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4tpzdaRF9r0Ktita-xm3FRmfLupRoAcDBE1daed77d1RBC70E8yqbvO86to_iDYwyCmsAlrJVLUgfTcd7z_mq14C_M1ElXy8cPjRl8xi9uzWsdv3NjxQuuMWthGLM_sVj-BmDyve5jM3/s200/photo+safari+LETTER+3-23-11+030.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A letter from the alphabet.</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUSar12xWOQpELl0EAVIRP7c0E8ofDV8UmLTb493YVP99vxuT5x_7q_fiRiRXLt57LiUbhVDGNyGXSrinFRJcPumeVwNB7VG3KynEz3r0PAawV8B8Gs6a2iEjnAVw5OIMGnpxMmTtirhL/s1600/photo+safari+SHAPE+3-23-11+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUSar12xWOQpELl0EAVIRP7c0E8ofDV8UmLTb493YVP99vxuT5x_7q_fiRiRXLt57LiUbhVDGNyGXSrinFRJcPumeVwNB7VG3KynEz3r0PAawV8B8Gs6a2iEjnAVw5OIMGnpxMmTtirhL/s200/photo+safari+SHAPE+3-23-11+004.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A common shape.</span></em></div></td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLU1sXP4inSQOeEcVagTPxpufjKffG33wsi-FwJyg-_kFMsZqF30wHrrv2B7D7YpfjA0a_NTfyITQtp6CVWlpBYZlzSxsk_H-6DG99qHEXCE-CB7VDLkB0YJh8z9rH45HSaAp0aJ6mC6Q/s1600/photo+safari+PAIR+3-23-11+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLU1sXP4inSQOeEcVagTPxpufjKffG33wsi-FwJyg-_kFMsZqF30wHrrv2B7D7YpfjA0a_NTfyITQtp6CVWlpBYZlzSxsk_H-6DG99qHEXCE-CB7VDLkB0YJh8z9rH45HSaAp0aJ6mC6Q/s200/photo+safari+PAIR+3-23-11+046.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Stripes</em></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></em> </div></span>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-63676728813810391152011-03-13T23:53:00.000-07:002011-03-13T23:53:23.790-07:00Taco, Our Desert Tortoise Emerges<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5e3je1SZ8RBtEhER-I7AOZzRWrXAhqnZj9jxDP4e2jHX1xiKTfk8jtQnrXhiH1OZma3gSXL5AX0Xb_3pTO9ITsuRW5dl-N0SaYpAXGaGLoBhnF844tv63hCYOhz2Bp70r8tzfP-inMJI/s1600/Taco+emerges2++3-6-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5e3je1SZ8RBtEhER-I7AOZzRWrXAhqnZj9jxDP4e2jHX1xiKTfk8jtQnrXhiH1OZma3gSXL5AX0Xb_3pTO9ITsuRW5dl-N0SaYpAXGaGLoBhnF844tv63hCYOhz2Bp70r8tzfP-inMJI/s200/Taco+emerges2++3-6-11.JPG" width="149" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday, March 6th, Taco our oldest desert tortoise woke up and made his first appearance in 2011. Our local weather has been so crazy (freezing, rainy, mild, cold, hot, mild, cool-ish), we were beginning to wonder how it might affect our tortoises’ natural hibernation cycles. Particularly our most experienced burrower, Taco. After about a week of mild weather, Taco emerged…albeit slowly. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I first spotted him, he was nestled in a sunny corner. He woke up to a tortoise yard full of mustard (thanks to our most recent two storms, boo-hiss mustard!), but also a bountiful, green and blooming apricot mallow plant—one of Taco’s favorite desert treats! The bottom layer of mallow branches were already stripped clean of their fresh, crinkly leaves thanks to his post-hibernation appetite and sharp beak. I cleaned and filled his water dish, then let him be to rest in the last of the day’s sun. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhludhUndA2e-BAsA4h8c1-_vg4r-sYJs3Z_GADCHj03RtdC2Gt1BIm5EHi83qm4p1p91VKR_2DWqCSOF8Ut2LwVWknD9eD1B_tFy0dcTCmkZghIQ_gm2iFjH93wb2JmcpesYlKmWtXFlhI/s1600/Taco+emerges4++3-6-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhludhUndA2e-BAsA4h8c1-_vg4r-sYJs3Z_GADCHj03RtdC2Gt1BIm5EHi83qm4p1p91VKR_2DWqCSOF8Ut2LwVWknD9eD1B_tFy0dcTCmkZghIQ_gm2iFjH93wb2JmcpesYlKmWtXFlhI/s200/Taco+emerges4++3-6-11.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Taco polishes off the leaves</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and flowers from an apricot</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">mallow plant stem.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Taco is slowly waking back into his daily tortoise routine. We will continue providing cactus pads and fruit, wildflowers and other desert plants from around our yard to feed his appetite.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our other two tortoises, Guacamole and Rufus, are beginning to stir in their pet carrier where these siblings sleep out their hibernation. I expect they will be “waking up” any time now. They usually run two weeks behind Taco. They will get a warm water bath in the next couple of days if their activity stays consistent and will soon be back in their own yard.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spring continues to yawn, stretch, and blink awake on the desert floor.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDeQJpNM48T4qJiBsVaufxsPkvVrmHZ1s4MTmv1xY4wUoxw_PW_6lUBps5nCDDoqRAHTTV_-gmPLUd_qI93-F0mjjJ_FyujUGnQJtMSnUAqq2xT7RtDhdH0FHyorsWQGi1U0IwphQolu9/s1600/Taco+emerges3++3-6-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDeQJpNM48T4qJiBsVaufxsPkvVrmHZ1s4MTmv1xY4wUoxw_PW_6lUBps5nCDDoqRAHTTV_-gmPLUd_qI93-F0mjjJ_FyujUGnQJtMSnUAqq2xT7RtDhdH0FHyorsWQGi1U0IwphQolu9/s320/Taco+emerges3++3-6-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nap time.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-57213279076344353942011-03-09T02:31:00.000-08:002011-03-09T02:31:32.215-08:00Wildlife Watching and Scientific Journaling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6OJDrSWjJNZwNbb7OXtMEjlQtj868wbA4Rg1q7ws8gx0E-U4YdXQ2iibU9HLT996Of4zviLEj0wv4vCpygiCXExvYxgrl3uAc-G6MmdYLYVwEU_vlArKdayYBNDkL2D4Z4ASQI9yBOne/s1600/bluebird-and-worm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6OJDrSWjJNZwNbb7OXtMEjlQtj868wbA4Rg1q7ws8gx0E-U4YdXQ2iibU9HLT996Of4zviLEj0wv4vCpygiCXExvYxgrl3uAc-G6MmdYLYVwEU_vlArKdayYBNDkL2D4Z4ASQI9yBOne/s1600/bluebird-and-worm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="caption"><span style="color: #ffcc66; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">From our last "Side of Nature: Activity" where we encouraged you to tap into your inner naturalist. Practice wildlife watching like a biologist. We tend to anthropomorphize animals when watching or discussing them. We humanize or assume certain animal behavior usually by assigning human emotion, our own experience, expectation, or reaction to a situation that wouldn’t be true for wildlife whose behavior is mostly based on perpetuating their species. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="caption"><span style="color: #ffcc66; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A great exercise for older children and adults is to journal wildlife activity, including scientific observations, exploring the line between inference and observation. For example, what do you observe in the picture above? An <em>scientific observation</em> might include: bird with blue, brown and white feathers, on a wood structure, with a worm or larva in its beak. An <em>inference </em>would be: a bird that is <em>tired and resting on a wood fence</em>, or with a worm in its beak <em>that it is taking back to its nest to feed its babies. </em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="caption"><span style="color: #ffcc66; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This bird may not be tired, but scouting its route instead; from the photo, that fence could be a garden border, not a fence. Even if we watched this bird enter a box nest or tree trunk nest, and emerged without the worm, we still couldn't scientifically say it fed babies without actually observing that behavior or activity (it could've dropped the worm, eaten the worm itself, or fed its mate instead). </span></span><span class="caption"><span style="color: #ffcc66; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Practice this type of observation to hone your wildlife watching skills--you'll be amazed at the information you can gain just by watching and learning. Then test/research your theories or inferences through books, online research, or by asking another naturalist or interpretive guide to learn more about the behaviors of specific species you have been watching. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="caption"><span style="color: #ffcc66; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You just might discover that your own scientifically based observations will provide a valuable contribution to a growing knowledge base about the wildlife in your area!</span></span></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-78509269664726099072011-02-13T22:59:00.000-08:002011-02-13T22:59:58.652-08:00Wildly Romantic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFyiVJH2aDNauLqrOR7ai6vwPFDv_10houCPgOAkb3qnirk6-PRMkgH4Peu6C0-YhLcorxrtfFqY2g-9JnKjZrlHS_1-PYsPjfAA2YqEYEVyz5RlaAJRx0MoQw-h7mg9zrdLRkx5p-MEe/s1600/heart+elephants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFyiVJH2aDNauLqrOR7ai6vwPFDv_10houCPgOAkb3qnirk6-PRMkgH4Peu6C0-YhLcorxrtfFqY2g-9JnKjZrlHS_1-PYsPjfAA2YqEYEVyz5RlaAJRx0MoQw-h7mg9zrdLRkx5p-MEe/s200/heart+elephants.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;">Happy Valentine’s Day</span> from Caliso Learning! We <span style="color: magenta;">LOVE </span>any chance to gush over our love for nature, and today is no exception. From romantic myth-busting (lobster love in the article below the two links), to life-long bonds, to our planet’s most romantic. Turns out we might learn a thing or two from our wild animal counterparts. For example...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you fancy your bond with your sweetheart to be the strongest out there? See which of these love pairs from the animal kingdom you and your sweetie most resemble in <a href="http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/11-animals-that-mate-for-life/old-faithful">11 Animals That Mate For Life</a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Need some romantic ideas that will make your honey swoon? Check out the wild antics animals will employ to attract their dream mates, from flashy dance moves to giving gifts, from decorating to PDA’s in <a href="http://www.blurtit.com/q5760508.html">The World’s Most Romantic Animals</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="color: magenta;">Lobster Myth-busting.</span> </span></strong>Despite the sweetness of the devotional lobster love we’ve watched on “Friends,” lobsters do not mate for life. But according to Dr. Jelle Atema of the Marine Biological Laboratory, lobsters do make tender lovers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7KF6ZlFwnhek7Bt0sZO1vTWTRtB6vgU7i_MSq98ny4GEcC4qWsNn9RNaM0Lp58pCHN1gRQAbhurOapa2gwfA7yddvDPzHZQyp7DUvm6En1usm5NB84d-dyiSmvAwuNFrZsYPdQVEvRtF/s1600/lobster-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7KF6ZlFwnhek7Bt0sZO1vTWTRtB6vgU7i_MSq98ny4GEcC4qWsNn9RNaM0Lp58pCHN1gRQAbhurOapa2gwfA7yddvDPzHZQyp7DUvm6En1usm5NB84d-dyiSmvAwuNFrZsYPdQVEvRtF/s200/lobster-love.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Based on over twenty years of studying lobster mating behavior, Dr. Atema will be the first to tell you that “lobsters have a touching courtship ritual that protects the female when she is most vulnerable.” When a female lobster is ready to molt, she chooses a mate—usually the largest in the area—and approaches his den, turning on the charm by wafting a sex pheromone in his direction. The lucky male responds by “fanning the water with his swimmerets, permeating his apartment with her perfume” and emerging with raised claws. She responds with playful boxing or by turning away (awww, how positively coy). This seems to calm down the male’s aggressive approach and the female proceeds to raise her claws, placing them on his head to let him know she is ready for love.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Together they enter the male’s den, maybe get to know each other a little better, and some time after, “from a few hours to several days later, the female molts. At this point the male could mate with her or eat her, but he invariably does the noble thing…”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the female in her most vulnerable state, the male gently turns her limp body over onto her back, being careful not to tear her soft flesh. They mate "with a poignant gentleness that is almost human," observes Dr. Atema. After mating the vulnerable female stays a while in the safety of the den until her exoskeleton hardens (about a week). By the end of this brief yet touching encounter, the attraction fades, and the hard-shelled couple part with hardly a backward glance. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Source: <a href="http://www.gma.org/lobsters/allaboutlobsters/society.html"><span style="color: #999999;">The Lobster Society</span></a></em></span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-40021913189149379252011-02-08T02:22:00.000-08:002011-02-08T02:22:05.406-08:00Froggy Find!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The morning began with one of our "Fledgling Hikers" programs at the <a href="http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_whitewater.html">Whitewater Preserve</a> with a great group of tiny naturalists and their parents. As always for this program, I was happy to bring my 4-year old son along, this time with the help of my mom, and because the Preserve is one of his absolute favorite places to explore! After the program, we stayed to do a little creek hopping, my son's first time jumping on and off rocks in the small stream. During previous visits, he just wasn't ready to try it, but that day, with other kids around doing it, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bU06aoZyxk">he decided it was time</a>! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After a few slips and falls (and still loving every minute of it), the other "fledglings" very reluctantly left; and we were getting ready to leave when we heard a frog call nearby. We followed the sound along the stream for only a few yards before we came upon this little Chorus Frog (aka tree frog). What a wonderful way to end our day! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MJQ-VNQf1xI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716721463903227543.post-35908706838775721512011-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:002011-01-20T01:00:45.663-08:00A King Penguin That's 'One In A Zillion'<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We couldn't resist sharing this 2010 article about a King penguin discovered along Fortuna Bay, South Georgia. This rare bird, an all black penguin, has astonished and fascinated biologists. Learn what may be the cause(s) of this one in a zillion occurrence--is it environment or gene related? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Read more and see more photos of this all black penguin by National Geographic photographer Andrew Evans by </span><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/27mdrT/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1256577/One-rare-bird-Black-penguin-suffers-zillion-mutation.html?printingPage=true"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">clicking here.</span></a></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzj4gp9hgChK7cuQOqb2TF7lBuA96JXH8hvDw4vhd1jMJuNoq-7YFFSWgGtO7N0nd2oTDUETYodWfapWmEZQ4rXeuRmnoLKmbkWvo6Zxmv1isSZZvWGJ4BUOK0Xe14WZPDz2csZMHU1xp/s1600/black+king+penguin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzj4gp9hgChK7cuQOqb2TF7lBuA96JXH8hvDw4vhd1jMJuNoq-7YFFSWgGtO7N0nd2oTDUETYodWfapWmEZQ4rXeuRmnoLKmbkWvo6Zxmv1isSZZvWGJ4BUOK0Xe14WZPDz2csZMHU1xp/s400/black+king+penguin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by Andrew Evans</span></div></td></tr>
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</div>The Nature Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12121738196881825730noreply@blogger.com0