The Cascades Raptor Center is offering free admission this week last week, in celebration of their 25th anniversary. "Through wildlife rehabilitation and public education, Cascades Raptor Center fosters a connection between people and birds of prey. Our goal is to help the human part of the natural community learn to value, understand, and honor the … Continue reading In Which We Are Watched Like Hawks
We took our Nature Study out to Perkin's Peninsula on Fern Ridge Reservoir and drifted around in the raft a while to do a little birdwatching. It's awesome to watch the sunset while on the water. As the sun went down, I realized that September was following the sun away over the horizon. Where did it go? … Continue reading Watching September Drift Away
The Eugene, Oregon Scale Model of the Solar System was created by a father and son to show relative sizes and distances between the planets and the Sun. The planets are steel balls set upon pyramids with information panels positioned along Eugene's Willamette river Riverbank bike path. The scale is 1:1 billion and dimensions are taken from the … Continue reading Exploring the Solar System on Bicycles
Our visit to Darlingtonia State Natural Site was the perfect supplement to Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany Lesson #3 section about carnivorous plants. This place happens to be the only Oregon State Park for the purpose of preserving a single species. Darlingtonia californica (cobra lily) is very rare and the only carnivorous plant in Oregon. Lysichiton americanus (skunk cabbage) is a Pacific Northwest native plant that … Continue reading Skunk Cabbage, and Cobra Lilies, and Man-eating Plants! Oh, my!
We tried to observe the Camelopardalids Meteor Shower last night. NASA's information was clear that since nobody has seen the shower from this comet before, there was no way to know what to expect. Also, the viewing map was clear that in our area of the Pacific Northwest, the weather wasn't optimal. We couldn't make a little … Continue reading Almost a Backyard Campout: Trying to Watch the Camelopardalids Meteor Shower
Owen Rose Garden is one of my family's favorite picnicking spots. It's right along the River Bike Path and we pass it on so many trips. It's just far enough out for us to make it the perfect location for a break on a long ride, or to be the turn-around destination for a shorter … Continue reading Picnic At Owen Rose Garden
Today, after riding to my youngest daughter's ballet class, my son and I continued on down the River Bike Path to Skinner's Butte Park. Buzz Lightyear came along, transforming the ride into an imagined outer space expedition. Buzz is bungeed to a bicycle! Is this standard issue? Playing at RiverPlay Playground at Skinner's Butte Park. My boy standing next … Continue reading To Infinity and Beyond the Bike Path
