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Have you seen those soft, velvety and silvery grey-green plants in your next-door neighbor’s garden? Those low-growing, soft textured leaves belong to the ornamental plant, known as the Lamb’s ear. The scientific name of lamb's ears plant is Stachys byzantina and is a native to Turkey, Iran and Armenia in Europe. The plant can best be described as "fuzzy" or "velvety" and the leaves are shaped … [Read more...]
Travertine {InstaScience}
We went for a hike on a trail that boasted some of the largest travertine deposits in the area. I was super excited to see these deposits in person, but when we got there - my excitement temporarily fell. It looked like a bunch of mud piled up everywhere - not so pretty - until we got up close and could really see the beauty in this sedimentary rock. Travertine is a type of limestone. It … [Read more...]
Sand Layers {InstaScience}
Have you ever noticed the different layers of sand when you dig a hole on the beach? Sand is composed of tiny grains of minerals, but did you know that some of these grains are heavier than others. Lightly-colored sand, which is composed mainly of quartz is lighter than darkly-colored sand, which has other minerals, like iron, in each grain. The sand you see on the beach is constantly changing … [Read more...]
Sunset {InstaScience}
The beauty of a sunset can take your breath away. The reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows can be stunning, but why don’t we see this every night? Sunset is the time of day when the sun dips below the horizon. As this happens, the light from the sun travels a farther distance. During this journey, the different wavelengths or light are scattered by water and dust in the atmosphere. The shorter … [Read more...]
Oak Tree {InstaScience}
The oak tree is a symbol of strength and nobility. They grace our land with their gnarled, widespread, solid branches. The oak tree was one of the first trees I learned how to identify, so it holds a special place in my heart. Oak trees can grow to around 100 feet tall. They have a sturdy trunk with branches spreading to create a full tree, providing ample shade. In the winter, the oak sheds it … [Read more...]
Spanish Moss {InstaScience}
I loved visiting my Grammy growing up - she always had our favorite sugar cereal and ice cream on hand when we visited. But, more than that she had a fantastic yard with a monkey grass maze and several massive oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Every time I see this plant, I’m instantly transported back to those hot summer days running around in my grandmother's backyard. Spanish moss covered … [Read more...]