Surface Area of the Earth

Meanwhile, have some fun with this interactive graphic brought to you by charts bin!

 

Plastic Bottle Bird Feeders

>If a summer nature journal sounds good to you but the terrarium is not your thing, how about a bird feeder made from a 2-liter soda bottle? You can recycle and help your feathered friends at the same time!

Gather your materials – and an adult for the cutting part! – and you’re good to go.

Soda Bottle Terrariums

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Summer Nature Journals

A summer nature journal is the perfect way to sharpen your observation skills while keeping your writing sharp. The only thing you need is a journal and a project. How about micro terrarium? They’re easy to make and fun to observe.

All you need is a small container, some small plants like clover from the yard or a micro variety of a plant from the local nursery. You can even grow herbs if you’d like. Next you’ll need a small container that’s attractive and easy to seal. The last thing you’ll need is gravel, sand, and soil for your plants.

Not sure how to get it all together? Here’s a video from StormTheCastle.com that will take you through it step-by-step.

Snapping Turtle Science

>According to the CritterZone, the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is the largest type of freshwater turtle in the United States. They have an upper shell that is not large enough for them to withdraw inside completely. They have large nails on all four feet and a “long, fleshy tail, with an alligator-like crest.”

Their powerful jaws have sharp edges. They move so quickly when they attack that it’s difficult to trace the motion – as I can attest to from having startled the turtle I saw this week. A snapping turtle of the size in my photos and adventure could easily remove my little finger.

Evidently, they come out of the water to mate. I hope to see some babies in the near future.

Snapping Turtle

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Video: Snapping Turtle Strolling

I was nearly home today when I saw this big old snapping turtle making its way into the street. I believe the least we can do is make sure these creatures make it safely so I stopped to make sure he made it across. While I was at it I made a video and snapped a few pictures. I also startled the poor guy.

Despite all that, he made it safe and sound to a comfortable spot. Maybe he’s out to mate? Maybe we’ll see some baby snappers making their way into the pond in a few months?

I’ll let you know!

Video: Almost Like Resurrection

Tech Time: Peterson Field Guide App

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There’s a Peterson Field Guide to Backyard Birds app from Wildtonesthat’s compatible with the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the iPad. There are over 180 birds – far more types than we get in our yard – so chances are excellent you’ll be able to identify the feathered creatures passing their time in your “habitat.”

It includes arrows to the key field marks.

There’s an illustrated index by family.

I think this is the way I’m finally going to get through that Peterson Field Guide sitting on my bookshelf. I’ll keep you posted. Let’s hear from you, too, about the birds you find with your copy of this splendid app.

Roger Tory Peterson

A Field Guide to the Birds, giving field marks of all species found in eastern North America by Roger Tory Peterson, 1934

Sketching

Field Marks

Taking notes on an osprey