Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Photo credit: User Stemonitis on Wikipedia
I really enjoy Nature Nights because it’s a great way to educate kids about science. There are a lot of hands-on crafts and activities and that’s a great way for kids to learn.
Last week’s nature night was on the Power of Plants. I had a great time teaching kids about invasive plants with my Invasive Hunter Academy. I look forward to joining the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center again.
Plants in the garden
I like to work with my hands in nature, especially with plants, cultivating, growing, and harvesting them. I’ve grown chili peppers and tomatoes this year.
I attempted to grow corn too, but the corn was very twisted, probably due to the heat before our recent rains. Aphids and other insects really attacked it too. So instead I composted it.
I’m looking forward to the ginger, potatoes, onions, and leaks that I’m still growing.
Birds of Prey
When I was younger, I went to a Nature Nights where they were teaching kids about birds of prey. They had a man showing a hawk there. The talons were sharp and scary, and he had to wear gloves, otherwise they would have cut up his hands.
I find raptors and owls amazing because they can spot their prey from so far way. With their huge eyes and soft feathers, owls can fly so silently that mice have no chance.
Yesterday’s nature night was also on Birds of Prey, and they had fun activities in the evening too:
- Walking the center gardens with Travis Audubon
- Watching the Feathers and Flight presentation by Mr. David Scott of the Earth Native Wilderness School
- Seeing live birds of prey from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Don’t miss next week’s Nature Night on Thursday, July 19, on Bats.
Your friend,
Ben
Commander Ben 