I stood outside today as the weather quickly changed from still and humid to windy and cool. A storm was coming. I love the dynamics that come along with this as I usually see wildlife reacting to the change. Today did not disappoint. I noticed a strong, flying bullet shape with an unfamiliar flight pattern. Finally it landed on a low branch. This green darner is common, but not common to my backyard. Typically they are found around a water source. I wonder where it's headed.
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This little gem is an outstanding natural space for learning and exploring. I learned about it as I was researching the Kettering Schools Land Labs. Bravo, Kettering Schools for your efforts to take the classroom outdoors. Luckily this space can enjoyed by anyone. You can look forward to learning stations with visuals and recorded information about habitats and wildlife. There are also hiking trails, raised gardens, and restrooms! So much life to see and hear. It's worth the time to check out! My backyard has been a very busy place this week. Bugs, birds, and butterflies abound! One example of this is the swarms of gnats that hover throughout my yard: The conditions were just right for this to occur. I wonder if this is why I have seen so many birds on the grass, rather in the trees. If you look closely at the hosta blooms you can find a number of insects. I watched them work for a while. Butterflies are back! However, they are different than the ones I saw earlier in the summer. They also don't stick around for long. They are high flyers who glide around the tops of trees. They swoop down so I can see them for a moment and then they are off again. They must not find what they are looking for here. I will do more to plant for butterflies next year! Here are a few images I was able to catch. I never got a shot of the swallowtails, but I'm hopeful it will happen before summer is over! At one point yesterday, the birds were so noisy I was called to see what was happening. I could only see the one below, but It sounded like a meeting of all bird species. There were so many different calls and songs! Even Gus ran over to see what was happening!
This bug continues to fascinate me. After returning from my walk this morning I stopped by the tree where I have seen it so many times. And it was still there, resting on one of the low branches. I read that the wheel bug is an assassin bug. Its presence is an indicator of a healthy landscape because all other levels of the food web are intact. I'm also not interested in suffering a wheel bug bite. Sounds like no fun. Weather falls into my least favorite life event category: Things I cannot control. There have been some beautiful days this summer. I remember all six of them very well. Generally, I would describe our summer weather as disappointing. After several days of storms, we had some relief. I noticed from the window that the yard needed to be cleared of fallen branches and walnuts. Here's what I collected: The one that looks like it doesn't belong is part of our patio umbrella. It didn't make it through the storms. As I was picking up sticks I noticed this nest. It's the robin nest I blogged about earlier this summer. After clearing the grass of debris, I began looking more closely at the results of so much rain. I noticed that some plants and parts of my yard are not looking so vibrant and healthy anymore. Where is the bright, lush color from earlier summer days? Looking sad or no longer there... These two pots once were home to two tomato plants. They didn't make it. Other plants are thriving with new growth and vibrant color... And then there are other problems like eroding beds... Lots of work to do!
Thick, heavy, close.....these are the words I would use to describe the air outside today. However, it was mostly dry, so I couldn't waste the day indoors. I met a good friend for a walk and came upon this baby near an open field. Strangely, the natural area is a large lot among homes in my neighborhood. When I pass I always wonder who has made this space their home. Around noon we took to dogs for a walk. Upon returning, we noticed our resident doe felt it safe to appear for lunch. I spent the afternoon on the golf course. The wildlife is gorgeous there. I have found that since I have started devoting more time to being present and appreciating my natural surroundings, the more keen my senses have become. What used to be vague background noise and visual wallpaper is now alive and causes me to stop, think, wonder, and enjoy.
Identifying (accurately) any type of "bug" is quite a challenge. I have tried. I've used many online resources, images, a dichotomous key. This one has been tough to crack. Below are two creatures I believe are the same species at different places in development. The top two photos are specimen #1 on my sweet potato vine. Specimen #2 I found among some fruit on a black walnut tree. I believe it is an insect in the order Hemiptera. From there, I don't feel terribly confident. I think it's a wheel bug, but most images I have seen of a wheel bug show a wheel shaped pronotal armor. Maybe these are too young yet? I don't feel 100% satisfied so I'm going to keep searching. What I do know is that I have seen both insects in the exact same spots earlier this summer. They seem to be surviving well!
Our PLC group met for the first time today. It was awesome! Our Seed Team of 21 has great energy and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. I am excited to see how my talented and dedicated colleagues approach their learning standards outdoors. After discussing our digital collaboration tools, we hiked as a group to Houk Stream, the location for the third grade Place Project. There, teachers explored the natural surroundings, wrote, used tools, and discussed learning standards. Great ideas were brewing and thoughtful questions were being asked. This is just the beginning! While all the awesomeness was happening, I found these fluttering around the stream. I believe they are Ebony Jewelwings. They are often found near streams and very common in Ohio. They are gorgeous! Too bad my backyard doesn't have a stream. It was great to be back at Houk Stream and great to see my Oakwood City Schools friends. I'm so excited to see what the year brings in the way of outdoor learning for our Oakwood learners!
Interested in learning more about outdoor education in Oakwood? http://oakwoodoutdooreducation.weebly.com/ |