This week, the backyard bird feeders were teeming with activity. Sparrows, titmice, cardinals, doves, and finches. The usual. But there was one bird that particularly caught my eye. It looked like a sparrow, and I first noticed it by the unique way that it moved. Very much unlike the regular feeder attender, the House Sparrow. After snapping a few pictures and matching it with those in my bird guide, I discovered who the stranger was. Ah! A White-Throated Sparrow! A happy addition to my life list. This beautiful bird must have been passing through, for I haven't seen him since. Anyhow, I am most pleased that I had the chance to see this wonderful work of God. Also, it seems as though a pair of Goldfinches live nearby. They sit at the feeders, feasting, for hours at a time every day. Such strikingly colorful creatures. So beautiful.
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Here are some photos I took this past week on a nature walk my family and I took at Mine Falls Park in Nashua, NH. This woodsy series of trials is a very beautiful place to stop and look at God's creation. More reading: Mine Falls park Looking down on the ground a few days ago, I noticed a small black speck. It was moving. An ant! Finally, they’re here. Ants are such fascinating insects, designed by God in an incredible way. Their ability to work together side by side to build vast tunnels under ground is miraculous. Let’s take a look at the design of an ant. Ants are created in a perfectly detailed way. Every tool they need to tunnel, communicate, and much more is built into them.
All ants serve the queen of the colony who gives birth to every single ant. The workers do a number of things. They look after the queen and the larvae, look for food outside the nest, and expand or repair the nest. Soldiers defend the colony, protecting it from invaders from other colonies. All ants are incredibly strong, and can lift over 20 times their body weight. That is the equivalence of a second grader being strong enough to lift a car! Ants use their strength to carry their food into the nest. Ants eat many things: insects, plants, fungi, and other animals. They spend much of their time searching for their food, and sometimes roam up to 300 feet from the nest, always finding their way back. Ants are truly incredible creatures to look at and study. God is an amazing artist. Here are some pictures I took of a colony beginning to build their nest. (Sorry for the blur. I have yet to perfect macro photography.) According to a reader request, here is some more in-depth information on the timber rattlesnake. Description: Timber rattlesnakes are venomous snakes found in the Eastern United States. They can grow to a length of 36-60 inches, and weigh up to three pounds. Habitat: They are often found in thick forests and rugged, rocky terrain. They can be seen basking in the sun on open rocks. They brumate (a less dormant form of hibernation), often in groups, during the winter. Diet: They mostly eat mammals, but can also eat birds, frogs, and even other snakes. Lifecycle: Rattlesnakes, unlike most other snakes, give birth to live young which are encased in a clear membrane. After about a week, the hatchlings are ready to be on their own, and the mother moves on. Most live to about 25 years in the wild, and 30 in captivity. Venom: The timber rattlesnake is one of North America’s most dangerous snakes, because of its powerful venom. Although it could cause much harm or death, the venom doesn’t come without a warning. Before striking, a rattlesnake shakes its tail which makes a rattling sound (hence the name) to warn predators. This tactic works. Also, these snakes don’t want to attack. They do so only to defend themselves, and will not cause harm unless they feel threatened. Never-the-less, if you find yourself near one, use caution. Here is the link to my post on rattlesnake island. Lately, I have developed an interest in sketching nature and the world around me. Thanks to blogger Michelle Geffken, who led me to many ways to approach sketching, I have found a passion for sketching nature, mostly with pens and watercolors. I have found it incredibly fun and peaceful, no matter your skill level or the outcome of your drawing. I have also found the work of Liz Steel, full time blogger and urban sketcher, inspiring. If you, too, are looking to improve your art skills, check out her online classes. My artwork page will be updated frequently with my drawings. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments below. Sketching nature is a fabulous hobby. Anytime, anywhere, as long as you have paper and a pen, you can scratch down the world. This creates a bond that is hard to break. Maybe you're thinking, "I don't have enough time." Here is something I found encouraging.
Oh, one more thing. Please forgive the much less-than-masterful artwork that I put up. Thanks! :) |
Caleb JamesHi! Welcome to my blog. Get my free eBook!Categories
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