One of the best things about homeschooling the kids is that we can have class outside on the picnic table when the weather cooperates. That improves everyone’s mood. I’m pretty open to “teachable moments” when a distraction is worthwhile. Springtime … Continued
I have mentioned that I get a lot of drawing done while waiting for my kids in karate. Many of the children come over and ask to see what you are drawing. They really seem to get kick out of … Continued
The Crane Creek, Ohio area is a favorite migrant hotspot in the Spring. Warblers are plentiful. We took our children for the first time this year. They had a blast and saw a handful of life birds. I brought … Continued
I have the coolest kids in the world. Every year they request an unusual costume. Inevitably it is some sort of animal. In the past requests have been bear, penguin, Red Fox, shark, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Keel-billed Toucan, Tocu Toucan, Great … Continued
I know they aren’t for everyone, but I’m crazy about jumping spiders. I’ll photograph them every chance I get. These small spiders are pretty easy to find. I often have good luck searching the side of the house. Jumping spiders … Continued
I have my brother-in-law to thank for this life bird. I haven’t spent much time in the South other than a few trips to the Florida Everglades, so I never got a chance to see a Brown-headed Nuthatch. My brother-in-law … Continued
Snowy Egrets seem to have two speeds: full on or full off. At times they are patiently waiting or stalking fish, and then the very next moment they are full of frantic energy. Growing up in south-western New York, you … Continued
I really like the American Tree Sparrow. They are tough little birds who visit our Michigan home in the cold, harsh winters. As Spring finally arrives the smaller Chipping Sparrows replace them. For a very brief time you get the … Continued
By the time March rolls around I’m usually ready for the snow to leave. That doesn’t always work out in Michigan. Yesterday we had some beautiful snow. I think many of the early migrants weren’t so happy about the ground … Continued
The Tricolor Heron is an underrated bird. Maybe it needs a better name. There are Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets, which all sound rather cool. Then you have a mundane name like Tricolor Heron. Of course I … Continued