Special Mother's Day Message♥

Happy Mother's Day

Here is a wonderfully lovely video from Explore.org!  They send me daily learning content by sharing live video feeds with us from around the world.  The kids are currently obsessed with the nests filled with babies and the caring mama's nurturing their littles!  Scroll down to their link for a special Mother's Day message...

We love, love, love their motto... Never Stop Learning!

Photo credit: Gooseberry Patch

"We ❤️ Moms"

"Moms make the world go 'round, and we see evidence of that every day on our nature and animal cams.

From panda mommas wrangling rascals to bald eagles who teach their young to be assertive with food, moms provide a vital foundation for all walks of life. Today we honor and recognize them with this compilation of touching mom moments, and hope you enjoy watching your favorite moms live on explore.org.

Never Stop Learning,

Your extended family at explore.org"

We Love Moms ~ Explore.org ~ One of our favourite live learning experiences ♥ 

 

Bird Sitting Meditation technique...

Bird Sitting is a type of meditation for relaxation or quieting the mind.  To try this mindful activity, Audubon has some great tips for bird sitting in honour of Earth day♥

Ontario Provincial Parks Free Wallpapers to download go to Ontarioparks.com

Helpful tips provided courtesy of Audubon:1) Find a Spot: Choose a spot where you can sit quietly and observe birds for 10-20 minutes. This can be your window, doorstep, backyard, or local park. Convenience is key. 

2) Have a Seat: Find a comfortable sitting position. When we sit down and stay still, the birds come closer to us than they would if we were walking. 

3) Tune in to the Birds: Quiet your mind and open your eyes and ears to the birds. Lead with curiosity and ask questions like: "What are the birds doing right now? Do they have a nest nearby? What have they eaten today?” Watch their behavior and listen for their vocalizations. Want to level up? Try teaching yourself to 'bird by ear.'

4) Greet Them By Name: If you're feeling ambitious and would like to try your hand at species identification, grab a field guide or download the Audubon Bird Guide App. If you just want to enjoy the experience, come up with your own names to help you remember them by color or sound! 
 

5) Repeat: The best benefits come from repetition. Each day, look for the same birds you may have seen the day before. Getting to know a few feathered neighbors well is more rewarding than listing to all the birds you’re seeing or hearing. You may begin to discover which birds sing first at sunrise, which birds are mated pairs, where the nearest nest is located, and when the hawks are hunting.
Over time, your observations will reveal how the birds and their behaviors are driven by predation, feeding, mating, and nesting in the landscape. You’ll also begin to understand how your behaviors affects nearby birds.

We Will...

There are 15 days until the Spring Equinox... 

My little ones will once again relish in the joys and freedom of mud and puddles...

They will run wild in the wakening forest to speak the language of trees...

They will create sweet music echoing the songs of the birds...

They will inhale deeply refreshed with a morning breeze filling their lungs...

They will help the busy bees pollinate a new season by letting dandelions grow...
They will happily dance along gathering wishes to scatter on the wind on a lazy evening...

They will sip the sweet syrup freshly made from the sap of the majestic maple...

They will treasure and revel in the blooming of each fresh new spring blossom...

They will dance in the rain and marvel at the power and beauty of nature...
They will bask in the light of millions of stars and blow a kiss to follow a wish...

They will be wrapped in the warm, loving glow and blessings of family and friends...
They will share in memories and values in this beautiful, hygge moment of spring renewal♥ 

~Sherry Johnson, 2019

Birding in January...

Country living at it's best... even when it's too cold to go out on one of our adventures... we feel the benefits of nature submersion♥

 

Happy Yule!

Yesterday, we celebrated the Winter Solstice by giving back to nature. This lovely gift is hanging in our lilac trees above our bird pub.  It's a fun tradition to decorate a tree outside with edible treats for wild life.  This morning we woke to a thick covering of a lovely blanket of fresh, white snow! 

Happy Yule!  

This day celebrates the rebirth of the sun to the earth after celebrating the longest night of the year (Winter Solstice). 

It is a time of leaving any regrets in the past and awakening to new goals.  The best time to plan resolutions and carry them through the new year♥

It's the Winter Solstice♥

Our home is celebrating the Winter Solstice by giving back to nature. This lovely gift is hanging in our lilac trees above our bird pub.  It's a fun tradition to decorate a tree outside with edible treats for wild life. 

 Going for a solstice walk is a great way to spend this astronomical event.  Talking about the longest night and it's significance as we explore the newness of the winter season is a pleasurable way to spend the day.  A little further down is the science activity we share with the kiddos, along with some winter solstice poetry.  Embracing the darkness and celebrating the return of the light, we wish you love, peace and joy this Winter Solstice♥

 

 Winter Solstice science with our kiddos:)

Winter Solstice is the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere with the fewest hours of daylight.  

The North Pole is tilted the farthest from the sun.

"Birding" in our own back yard♥

Deanna and the baby Mourning Dove♥

The bird calmly watching her, listening to her voice...

 as she watched the bird, listening to his chirps:)  

We are very blessed to dwell in the middle of a forested area... 

nature submersion♥ 

Sounds of the Mourning Dove

"Children are fascinated by nature discovery. When parents revisit natural

wonders through the eyes of children, we’re reminded that life, when all is said

and done, is still infinitely remarkable. Taking time to really get to know the birds

who share our habitat is a wonderful pastime for families. It’s good, clean fun, and

builds values of respect and compassion for nature and all living things."  

Karen Stephens

If you'd like to read the full article on birding with children by Karen Stephens, 

click the link below:)  Published in 2007:)

 Bird Watching Helps Children Become Nature-wise