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Great Backyard Bird Count 2012

We have had some lovely feathered friends at our feeders this month, mostly Goldfinch, Ruby-Throated Kinglets, House Wrens, Cardinals and one Hawk. {yes, a Red Shouldered Hawk landed on the fence in our backyard}  We are looking forward to the Great Backyard Bird Count coming up in February, this is a wonderful project to do with the children along with a unit study on birds. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. You can learn more below.

 

Can you see all 7 birds?

Goldfinch in winter.

This lil guy comes daily, at the same time every day.

Goldfinch

   Ruby Throated Kinglet -   A bit blurry, they move so much, always flitting about, never still!  They only visit during the winter months.

House Wren, my favorite backyard bird.

 

This is my oldest Micah, some years ago when we first started our birding adventures.

Participating in the Great Backyar Bird count is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes during February 15–18, 2012. Count birds at as many places and on as many days as you like—just keep a separate list of counts for each day and/or location.
2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time, and write it down. (You can get regional bird checklists here.)

3. Enter your results through thier web page.

 

Feathered friends adventure Manuall

http://www.adventurer-club.org/Awards/FeatheredFriends.pdf

 

Here is a neat study that we use along with the GBBC.

Nature lesson birds - http://www.pathfindersonline.org/pdf/ayhonors/birds_a.pdf

 

 

Autumn in Cajun Country

The weather is finally allowing us to enjoy some daily outdoor play, walks and bike rides. This week we will take our homeschool lessons outdoors too! Gotta love Autumn weather in Cajun Country!



LSU Blooms from little hands are such a blessing!!

Happy Wordless {or not so wordless} Wednesday!

Cajun Corn Maze Homeschool Field Trip

Last week we visited Cajun Country Corn Maze for our homeschool filed trip with our group, Bayou Cajun Homeschoolers. It is always a bit dusty for my taste but there is no doubt that the children have a blast every year. The Maze at Cajun Country Corn provides good wholesome family oriented entertainment in a farm setting. They provide a fun place to learn about the food and fiber produced on the farms of Louisiana, while celebrating Cajun Heritage and Louisiana Culture.

This years maze….(which we did not go into)

2011 Cajun Country Corn Maze
maze

Plate Sized Garden Hibiscus

The last of my Summer blooms… these are my prized QVC Hibiscus plants in two colors. They have grown enormous in just a few short months.
QVC promised blooms the size of dinner plates and that is exactly what we have!

Play-Doh Fun

In the south, we not only bring out the play-doh for rainy days but for super hot , humid, 100 degree weather days too! We LOVE Play-Doh! The older boys have made the most amazing collection of little 1-inch figures, will have to share those in another post. :)

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

BTHS – A Few of My Favorite Things

Back to Homeschool… a few of my favorite things…


 

A Bugs Life – The Cicada -

Cicada- A cicada (/sɪˈkdə/ or /sɪˈkɑːdə/) {Not a locust!)I’m sure you have heard this not so small bug buzzing most summer evenings. We have been studying and researching the Cicada for the past few weeks, they are a pretty amazing little creature.

Some fun facts…
  • Average life span in the wild: Up to 17 years
  • Size: 0.75 to 2.25 in (2.2 to 5.5 cm)
  • Group name: Cloud or Plague
  • Did you know? Some cicadas produce loud, noisy calls that can be heard up to 1 mile (1.5 km) away.
You  can learn more about this amazing insect, see pictures and hear its call here.
We were able to take some neat shots of a cicada molting after spending 3 years underground eating the roots of trees! The boys loved every second of the 30 minute long process, it was pretty neat to watch.

Unfortunately, my photography skills (or lack of them) do nothing to show the real beauty of this lil green pixie’s wings!

You can watch a cicada molt too!

4th of July Festivities

{As usual, another {not so} Wordless Wednesday!}
We spent the better part of the day at our friends home for a church cook out.
We spent the late afternoon at hubbys parents then home for fireworks with the neighbors.
It was a day full of fun and celebrating.

 

Tons of delish BBQ, sides and desserts!
 Dominick and Micah warming up for Badminton
 Troy and the boys resting in the shade. Not sure why they look so unhappy here – maybe the 100 degree weather! lol
 Troy and Micah entered the annual Badminton Tournament, they did great but lost. lol
Bunch-a-Boys resting and watching the players
Noah and Ashton enjoying something cold
Troy helping Dominick light his first firework!
 Ashton, Micah and Dominick
 Sparkler Fun!
Celebrating with the neighbors, Piper is so precious!
 Dom and Micah.
We ate too much and stayed up too late but had a wonderful day. Good times!

The First Fire of the Season!

All photos taken with an iPhone 3G ☺

 Being in Louisiana, we try to use our fireplace every chance we get!

Baby, it’s cold outside!

 Find more WW links @ And Miles to Go, A Beautiful Mess, Wordless Wednesday, My Life in Jenga, and  5 Minutes for Mom.

Fish are Friends

All photos taken with an iPhone 3G ☺
The view from the table at our favorite restaurant.

 Find more WW links @ And Miles to Go, A Beautiful Mess, Wordless Wednesday, My Life in Jenga, and  5 Minutes for Mom.