Once again it is migration time. The signs of the changing seasons. The end and the beginning. We become citizen scientists and report our findings. What better way to study science! Live the science!
We look for our visitors around mid-August. The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is a welcome sight. We all love to see the flight of our friends. Their mid-air antics are par none.
Because we live in the South, we wait for the first sighting to put out feeders. The syrup, a 1:4 sugar to water mix, goes bad quick in the heat. No red dye,please! We report to a great
"Immature Male"
site, Journey North/South. It is full of great features for the learning of science.
We report our sightings at least once a week. We have the camera out for observing later. All the while, the kids think this is fun. Even when they are being as still as they can to get close to a Hummy!
My five year old will stand waiting for at least five minutes. Just on the chance the bird will come close.We have out just three feeders but grow flowers and have water out which helps them come back year after year. But this does mean it is hazardous to walk through the yard! Hummingbirds are stunt pilots that come within a hair's breadth of anyone . Regardless of the full laundry basket in my hands!
Hummies are not the only migration minded animal, we watch for the Monarch butterfly, too. No feeders but 'un-paving the way' for our friends helps them out. A yard of grass is not good either, plants and permaculture gardens. Monarchs depend on milkweed, no good if you have livestock.
"Monarch"
Monarchs are also on Journey South! there is so much right with this site that I urge everyone pick a topic they enjoy for their area and be a scientist!
My minions are outside,rain or shine cold or hot. This gives them the opportunity to slow down a bit and smell the flowers!
I will leave you with a few pictures. What do you think?
We look for our visitors around mid-August. The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is a welcome sight. We all love to see the flight of our friends. Their mid-air antics are par none.
Because we live in the South, we wait for the first sighting to put out feeders. The syrup, a 1:4 sugar to water mix, goes bad quick in the heat. No red dye,please! We report to a great
"Immature Male"
site, Journey North/South. It is full of great features for the learning of science.
We report our sightings at least once a week. We have the camera out for observing later. All the while, the kids think this is fun. Even when they are being as still as they can to get close to a Hummy!
My five year old will stand waiting for at least five minutes. Just on the chance the bird will come close.We have out just three feeders but grow flowers and have water out which helps them come back year after year. But this does mean it is hazardous to walk through the yard! Hummingbirds are stunt pilots that come within a hair's breadth of anyone . Regardless of the full laundry basket in my hands!
Hummies are not the only migration minded animal, we watch for the Monarch butterfly, too. No feeders but 'un-paving the way' for our friends helps them out. A yard of grass is not good either, plants and permaculture gardens. Monarchs depend on milkweed, no good if you have livestock.
"Monarch"
Monarchs are also on Journey South! there is so much right with this site that I urge everyone pick a topic they enjoy for their area and be a scientist!
My minions are outside,rain or shine cold or hot. This gives them the opportunity to slow down a bit and smell the flowers!
I will leave you with a few pictures. What do you think?
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Impressions from friends, thanks.