Inch worm! So cute!

They are so tiny and cute! This little one below actually came down out of a tree while Dan and I were sitting in our van. We were finishing a conversation before we got out and I saw this tiny little green thing slowly come down on the hood of my van... well.. I just had to take a picture. Dans finger is in the last photo.

This was at our camp site while in West Port Washington not to long ago.

Inchworms are the caterpillars of geometer moths.

Remember the inch worm toy you could ride on??


Boy did I just dated myself. *Ü*






I had to add this! 8-9-2008

Look what we saw!

We went on a spur of the moment camping/surfing trip a few weekends ago... well I think its been a few weekends now...*Ü*

On our first visit to the beach, Christian took these great pictures of the local pelicans! Now its hard to tell in the picture itself, but we think these few are brown pelicans Pelecanus occidentalis . The first one, or the one in front is an immature brown pelican and I do believe the 2 in the back are adults. The link I left was where I am guessing form *Ü* They are funny looking birds... and a dozen or so were flying around at the time the picture was taken. Enjoy the pictures.

New book for us to read

Im so excited! I bought a new book and it finally came on Thursday!! Its called Jacks Insects by Edmund Selous.


From the back of the book:

Follow Jack and Maggie into the fascinating world of insects. When Jack recieves a book for his birthday, he and his sister suddenly find themselves inside it, living the natural history.

Originally published in 1910, Jack’s Insects is a classic living science book that Charlotte Mason used in her schools. Records indicate that she recommended it for children in Form II (grades 4–6). This unique book has been out of print and almost impossible to find. Simply Charlotte Mason has brought this valuable resource back into circulation for another generation to enjoy.

I cant wait to read this with RyLee... honestly I am more excited than she is....

Love the birds

Birds have been a lot of fun to watch! I took these photos well over a month ago, but just now getting around to showing you....

We placed a bird feeder right outside our back sliding door and also by the kitchen window. (side note We have also been having a hummingbird come visit! Im not fast enought to grab the camera to capture it though!)

RyLee and I both think these are Dark eyed Junco (junco hymealis) What do you think?









They are a delight to watch! They love to hover over the feeder, but also love to hop around below picking up the "scraps"... so to speak. Its been a lot of fun. I'll post a few more pictures soon.

Butterflies!

Well, they came and now are almost gone! I forgot to have RyLee write down when they came and turned to a chrysalis. But I think we have had them a few weeks now.... Here are a few pictures.

Look close at the pictures and tell me if you see something/someone else?? *Ü*










We always have fun with these kits! Its been a little cold, so we are going to order some new larva next month! We will study them a little more too. So far she has read discover magazine moths and butterflies and a few little blurbs online. Ry is enjoying them though. Thats the best part!

A short walk

We live down a long road. In fact we are 1 mile back from the main road and our mailbox is 1/2 mile from our home. Walking to get the mail, RyLee picked this flower for me. This is from my nature journal.



This is called a Wake Robin. its real name is Trillium Ovatum. It is considered a wildfolower. Tri is Latin for 3 and this flower has 3 leaves, 3 petals, 3 sepals and 3 stigmas. It has 2 other names it is known for, Western Trillium and Pacific Trillium.

Its a simple yet pretty flower. It was white when RyLee picked it, but since has changed its color and added some purple to it. Sorry I didnt take a picture.

RyLee also wrote and drew this in her journal, but the pictures came out very blury. I will retake and add hers later.

Update on Skunk Cabbage! Yuck!

New fact we learned about the Skunk Cabbage last week! Yuck.... I read that bears eat the roots, because it acts like a laxative for them in the spring. They dig it up and eat it after a long winter.


Isn’t that amazing... and yet disgusting!? *Ü*

How ingenuous is that? God and animals never cease to amaze me.We also read that Skunk Cabbage generates enough heat to melt snow that is around it! ??? Again, very interesting stinky little plant!