November 19

Burrowing Owls

In each group of animals, there often seems to be an outlier, one that just doesn’t seem to fit the pattern. I came across one of those creatures while visiting Florida.

While many owls nest in tree cavities or other high places, the small ground-dwelling burrowing owl makes its nest in underground burrows found in open, treeless fields. The burrowing owl is also active during the day unlike other owls that are nocturnal. Read more about the burrowing owl.

I couldn’t convince my companions to wait in hopes of seeing one of these curious raptors, so viewing the locations of their nests had to suffice. This property is across the street from condos and upscale hotels along the beach.

Watch full screen.

Related Posts

Owl Sighting (includes literature and art links, as well as owl labs)

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November 17

A New Wonder Question

During a walk along the shore while visiting Southern Florida, my brother-in-law observed that all of the birds standing on the beach were facing the same direction. He wondered why. (Observation and wonder are the beginning of all learning.) What do you think?

I suggested that it might have something to do with the wind, and after some research, my assumptions were affirmed. These shore birds face the wind to keep their feathers from ruffling, to stay stable, and in preparation for a quick takeoff.

This phenomenon would be a fun way to kick off a unit on wind or flight. Let your curiosity guide you!

Related Post

Seagulls

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November 10

Feathers

I’m surprised that I don’t come across more feathers on my walks in the woodlands because of all the feathered friends I see there. (In a post below, I share more feather finds.) Feathers are such interesting clues to who is calling the forest home, as well as which birds are migrating through Atlanta. As in a previous post about caterpillars, the colors and patterns can be striking. Go to the Feather Atlas to identify feathers you find.

A reminder: Under federal law, it is illegal to take feathers home. For more information, see FEATHERS AND THE LAW.



I discovered the non-fiction picture book, Whose feather is That?, on a recent visit to Chattahoochee Nature Center. “Written by award-winning author, nature photographer, and naturalist Stan Tekiela, this interactive children’s book presents a photograph of a feather, along with a clever clue about the bird to which it belongs.”

Related Posts

More About Feathers (literature links)

Duck feathers (lab)

Silent Flight

Oil Spill (lab)

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November 5

Recap

I’ve been asked how many species of caterpillars I’ve met while walking and I wondered too, so I gathered the photos into a file and made a video for us! Some of these caterpillars I’ve met often, while others I’ve seen only once.

Wow, I counted 32! The diversity, patterns, and colors are just remarkable! “Nature is the art of God.” (Alighieri)

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October 29

Wings?

I often see carpenter ants along the woodland trails, but this one made me stop and ponder because it had wings. Why is that unusual?

Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species and make their nests in wood. After a colony has been established for several years, the queen begins to produce winged males and females, who will leave to begin new colonies.

Watch full screen.

Related Posts

Mighty Ants

Fire Ants

Ant Hills

Symbiosis

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October 27

I’ve Never Seen This! Have You?

(This story has a happy ending!) I snapped a photo of this squirrel and when I zoomed in, I noticed a lump on its shoulder. Then after even closer examination, I saw a hole in the growth. I was off to research, and the results surprised me!

What I learned: A botfly larva, also known as a warble, enters the squirrel’s body through its nose or mouth. The larva migrates to a spot just under the skin where it grows in a large fluid filled lump. It chews an air hole to breathe. After a month, the larva emerges, drops to the ground, and burrows into the soil. The good news is that the wound will heal, and the fur will regrow! These parasites are noticeable in early fall.


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October 22

Spiders and Webs

It has become a tradition to share a spider post in October. Spiders seem larger and more plentiful during the fall months.

Spinnerets are releasing silk.

A Massive Web by an Itsy-Bitsy Spider

A Garden Zip Spider

Raindrops Caught in a Web

I can’t post about spiders without including Joro spiders, an invasive species that are spreading rapidly throughout the Southern United States.


Related Posts

Joro Spiders (with additional links and literature, lab, and art ideas)

Spiderlings

Marbled Orb Weavers

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October 20

Nature as a Model

God did it first! There are so many examples of innovations modeled after plants and animals. Georgia Tech and other universities have departments that study biologically inspired design.

Notice the pattern on the bottom of the gecko’s feet that gives it the ability to cling to glass.

I found it serendipitous that the spider engineered a bridge on a bridge across the greenway.

Learn How these Animals and Plants have Influenced Scientists and Engineers

Ants

Red Footed Cannibal Fly

Isopods

Maple Seeds
Maple Seed Lab

Owls

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