I thought it was a dragonfly at first pass, but when I asked the Seek app to identify it, I learned that I had happened upon a red-footed cannibalfly, a type of robber or assassin fly. Think peregrine falcon of the insect world. It lays in wait for a large insect, grabs it in mid-air, injects a venom to paralyze it, as well as digestive enzymes, so that internal organs become a liquid that it sucks through its mouthparts. Go here and here to read about this amazing predator.

Because of their large compound eyes, they have excellent vision. Go here for a related post about compound eyes.

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Go here to view how full screen. Examples of biomimicry in the development of drones are presented.

Even the tiniest items in nature, colorful and intricate, display God’s handiwork! Patterns and symmetry in complex designs abound! Just look under any microscope. Take a moment to experience the awe and wonder as you gaze upon the center of these exquisite, but common, flowers. I hope I am never too preoccupied to notice the small treasures I encounter along my way.

Click here for an investigation with paper flowers.

Click here for a lab about dissecting flowers.

Click here for a lab about pollinators.

Videos follow of characters enjoying the delight of gardening:
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I recently discovered this book series for families with young children who enjoy learning while they spend time outdoors. Take these interactive field guides with you as you explore any outdoor area. Hands-on learning activities include scavenger hunts, discovery games, seek and find tasks that sharpen senses, and creative trail projects. Sticker patches and a magnifying glass are included.

What a fun family gift! Other books in the series include Bug Hunt, Bird Watch, Rock Hunt, and Discovering Trees. Click here to learn more.

Plastic, invented about 100 years ago, can take up to 500 years to decompose. Celebrate Earth Day by reusing and repurposing plastic for spring gardening projects.

Click here to learn how to use a DVD case to germinate seeds. Label plant parts with a sharpie.

Click here for directions on how to make a plastic planter.

For information on an outdoor planter, click here. So that water could drain, a piece of screen was attached to the bottom of the planter with a rubber band.

These repurposed cups made a perfect greenhouse. Click here for more information.

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While on a family trip to Guatemala, a group of us opted to go on a tour of an avocado farm. Our drivers drove about 45 minutes out of Antigua up the side of a mountain. Click here for the link to the farm’s FB page.

Do hard things! That’s what I reminded myself as the first of two swinging bridges that stretch high across ravines came into sight. Our guide told us that women harvesting the avocados walk across the bridge with a basket of avocados balanced on their heads and don’t hold onto the railings! Only two of us were able to cross the bridge at the same time. Click here to watch. Now I understand why avocados are so expensive!

Our guide rewarded us all with avocado popsicles. Delicious! And then I learned that we had to walk back over the bridges to return to the entrance!

I removed the pits from some avocados at home and will attempt to sprout them soon.