� Aug. 5, 2008 - Our Feathered Visitor

The other day, while eating lunch, my son thought he heard a bird hit the livingroom window.  He looked over and saw something fluttering in behind the curtain.  He went to check it out and discovered a little bird on the window sill!  None of us saw it fly in the house.  It was a warm day and so the back door was open and we had all been outside, so I don't know how long it had been there. The poor little thing kept flying up and hitting the window.  It didn't understand that it couldn't get out! We opened all of the windows and doors and I made a little trail of birdseed that led out the front door. I have never seen my kids stand so still while we waited for him to find his way.  He seemed to study the trail for a few minutes and then eventually flew out the door.  He had to make a turn to do this, as the door was on the same wall as the window.  I like to think my little trail helped him find his way out! Anyhow, I'm pretty sure that it was a Sparrow.  They come to our feeder all  the time.  It sure was neat to see one up close!

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� Jul. 8, 2008 - Name That Moth

You know you're a homeschool mom when you're taking pictures of interesting creatures at 11:00pm so you can identify them in the morning! That's what I was doing the other night as I brushed my teeth before turning in.  I noticed the striking colour of this specimen on the pale yellow bathroom wall. If this moth had been brown or gray, I might not have taken a picture, but it was such a pretty blue that I couldn't let it get away without a snapshot. I never did get an accurate identification of it, I think it might be blue version of a White-Fringed Emerald (Nemoria Mimosaria), which is typically green, or a type of Pyralid or Geometrid . However, I did find some  neat bug websites: Bug Guide and What's That Bug. Check them out if you need to identify an odd insect!

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� Apr. 25, 2008 - Birdwatching Boys

I went to check on my boys this morning, to see if they were dressed yet, and this is what I saw: They were both intently watching the activity at our bird feeder.  The youngest(almost 4) was very excited to tell me of the Stellar Jay they had seen, How could I scold them for not being dressed? Instead I took a picture!

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� Jan. 4, 2008 - The Northern Catalpa Tree

When we moved to this house last Summer, we discovered a new and strange looking tree on our street.  Every time we would go for a walk we would stare up at it's huge leaves and long skinny pods.  Unfortunately,  all of our school books were the last to get unpacked and so I didn't have a nature book to identify it with until September. It was then that we learned that it was a Northern Catalpa. (At least I'm assuming it's a 'Northern' rather than a 'Southern' because we live in the Northern Hemisphere.) This is how it looked in the early Fall, before it lost it's leaves: (catalpa speciosa) My kids couldn't wait until the 'pods' fell because we were so curious about what was in them.  We thought there might be seeds, but it was only a woody substance. It's hard to tell how big the leaves actually are(6-12 in.) and so I took this photo to show you: (the children's scissors are there for a size reference) And here it is on a sunny, yet cold December day: (I do not have a Spring or Summer photo, when I do I'll make 'Year for a tree' post.) You can see all of the pods (fruit) dangling from the branches.  Apparently the flowers are white with purple and yellow flecks.  We will have to wait to see those!

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