THERE IN THE WOOD....#4

We have been watching some visiters to our yard this week. Ususally they walk around on the ground and get the seeds that the birds have dropped. They chase each other and always look like they are having fun. This weekend one decided to try to get the bird seed in the hanging bird feeder on the porch.

He tried and tried but could not get to the feeder. He stood on the rail looking up...he climbed up the side and tried to jump, he was not going to give up.  He got down a few times and looked up at it as if he were trying to figure out what to do.

Ten minutes into it he climbed up the rail, then the post, then across the top. Finally hanging upside down he grabbed the feeder and climbed down onto it. He did it! We were very excited for him, and we learned that squirrel's are very persistent and smart.

Two of the squirrels in the tree.

 "Are you looking at me?"

This is how he looked through the window.

HE eats!

I would like to hear about what others find in nature. Exploring, learning,  anything that is nature related.  What kind of bug, flower, animal, bird have you seen. What are you studying for weather etc.

Please join my link up so we all can learn more from nature.

THERE IN THE WOOD.... #3

 We went into the woods looking for some empty bird nests. We found a few that were covered with snow but we couldn't get close enough for pictures. It was nice to find them because we are never able to find them during the summer.  While out for our walk we found some Virginia Creeper. We usually see this creeping into our raspberry plants in the spring.

We also spotted some Woodpecker holes in a dead tree. We have often seen a Pileated Woodpecker and heard it's laughter out here. We wondered if this is where it has been feeding.

The Virginia Creeper has been around our yard since we bought our house. At first we thought it was Poison Ivy. As seen in the picture below it has grown around a tree.

This may be the mother plant (I call it that anyway).  It was so large. As you can see this vine becomes woody. It is a very fast growing vine and has five leaves during the summer. The vines just keep wrapping around anything. It is often considered to be a problem plant.  I can imagine a small  structure, with Virginia Creeper planted all around it. As time goes by and it grows the leaves and wood fill in the structure and create a wonderful play place.  I see a future project!

I found this link for further information
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_paqu2.pdf

I would like to hear about what others find in nature. Exploring, learning,  anything that is nature related.  What kind of bug, flower, animal, bird have you seen. What are you studying for weather etc.

Please join my link up so we all can learn more from nature.

THERE IN THE WOOD....

We found some holes in our tree. Upon further examination, pictures and exchanging e-mails we determined that it could be Asian Longhorn Beetles ALB for short.  We were very concerned, the State Forest Entomologist came to take a look at our tree. She could not rule it out, so she wanted the US Forest Service to take a look at it.

A month or so past by and then I received an e-mail. The US Forest Entomologist scheduled a day and time to meet.  It was a very informative meeting, we learned about some pests and some new science words like the insect galleries.  The paths chewed by larva in the tree. Our tree had it right under the bark.   Good news was it is not ALB. Bad news.... some thing is living in there. Carpenter Worms a moth was his suggestion. We will have to wait until spring to see any more changes to the tree.


The US Entomologist was very friendly and smart. We spoke about homeschooling, science and nature. I love talking about those subjects. A few days later I received a package in the mail.

Of course the kids liked the tattoos. I know we will be learning from this information all summer.  Thank you to our US Entomologist! It was a very nice thing to do.

I would like to hear about what others find in nature. Exploring, learning,  anything that is nature related.  What kind of bug, flower, animal, bird have you seen. What are you studying for weather etc.

Please join my link up so we all can learn more from nature.

IN THE WOOD.... nature study

I am a naturalist and I love learning as much as I can from what is around me. As a homeschooling family we learn lots from outside. Things present themselves and it becomes a learning moment. I will always stop to look at a bug, try to identify it and have the kids ask questions about it. If it is something we have never seen we will look in books and check online to find out more information. We enjoy walking in the woods, and exploring in the yard.

CG loves birds and bugs. She will put many worms on her arm and watch them slither around. She will attempt to let crawl on her any bug that I say is not going to bite.  

SA loves collecting anything from outside specifically rocks and leaves.  We have many rocks in our house. He likes insects as well, not as daring as CG but she is convincing him. 

I would like to hear about what others find in nature. Exploring, learning,  anything that is nature related.  What kind of bug, flower, animal, bird have you seen. What are you studying for weather etc.

Please join my link up so we all can learn more from nature.