The hyacinth tends to be the lesser known beauty of the typical spring blooms, but if you have ever smelled one . . . ahh, the scent of pure loveliness. It’s enough to make you want to dig them all up and replant them right by your door so you can enjoy them every time you head out for a walk on a nice spring day! Now, I must clarify - I am talking about the flowering hyacinth, not the miniature … [Read more...]
The Iconic Daffodil – A Dazzling Sign That Spring Is Replacing Winter
Nothing says, “Hello, it’s spring!” like the daffodil! The sunny blooms seem to smile up at you from the ground left barren from the cold winter. These spring flowers typically grow in bunches, like little pockets of sunshine in your garden. The trumpet-shaped bloom of daffodils can be yellow, white, or orange. Each bloom has a central corona that protects the reproductive structures of the … [Read more...]
The Charming Crocus – Find it in Siberia and Your Backyard
When we lived in Virginia, the sight of crocus blooms popping up in our yard meant that spring was close at hand. I think that is the reason why the crocus remains one of my favorite spring bulbs! But did you know that there are over 80 different varieties of crocus? The crocus is part of the iris family and is thought to have originated in Europe, Asia, and Africa. These flowers can live from … [Read more...]
3 Simple ways to include nature study into your week
Now that you understand the differences between formal nature study and informal nature study. But a question still lingers – how do you include nature study into your week? Is it the centerpiece? Or just an afterthought? By now, you know that I feel nature study is a beneficial way to learn about science. It can be an especially helpful tool when you are studying biology and earth … [Read more...]
Snowdrops – when You See These, You Know Spring Is Almost Here!
Ahh, spring is in the air. There’s a warm breeze blowing, birds chirping, and snowdrops dotting the ground! But don’t get lulled into a false sense of the season - old man winter can still rear his frozen head. Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to appear each spring. These blooms typically appear as soon as the temperatures are regularly above freezing - depending on where you live this … [Read more...]
Bottlenose Dolphins – Have You Seen These Amazing Aquatic Mammals?
Now, I realize that the likelihood of you having dolphins in your backyard to observe is about as likely as you penguins. But, chances are high that you kids love bottlenose dolphins, thanks to movies like A Dolphin’s Tale. So, why don’t we take a moment to learn about these amazing aquatic mammals! Bottlenose dolphins are very smart and playful marine mammals. They are often spotted jumping … [Read more...]