First Signs of Spring

I was away from House In the Wood for five days at a Science Teachers Conference and Spring is busting out all over camp.

Today...
...I saw and heard the Sandhill Crane. I saw it circling the marsh as though looking for a special place to land. Their call is a very distinctive trilling honk.
...I saw and heard the MALE Red Winged Blackbird. I saw about 10 of them in the marsh all trying to outdo each other with their noise and wide-spread wings. Those with the best territory "get the girl" when the females arrive a few weeks from now.
...the fisherman are very busy on the ice as the fish bite BEST as the ice is forming and the ice is melting. Or so they tell me!

Watch the next few posts as I share just SOME of the things I picked up at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference in Chicago last week!

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, Illinois

LOOK UP! Kool sky event.

SEE THIS SKY EVENT EVEN IN CHICAGO.

Venus, the thin crescent Moon, and a little Mars form a tight bunch in the west-southwest during and after dusk as shown below. On February 20, they fit in a circle just 2 degrees across at the times of dusk with the Moon below. On February 21, they fit in a circle just 4 degrees across with the moon above at the time of dusk just like the picture below.

See more at Sky and Telescope Week at a Glance

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, IL

Great Backyard Bird Count

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 13—16, 2015

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a fun, free, family-friendly activity to engage experienced birders in citizen science, and the perfect opportunity to introduce new people to birdwatching. Participating in the count is as simple as counting birds for as few as 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, and then reporting the results online at birdcount.org. 

Bluejay at Val's Feeder-they REALLY like peanuts!

Project Feeder Watch

ALL YEAR

Here is another citizen science site where you can count and record your bird sightings. Project Feeder Watch at http://feederwatch.org/

Scholar and Teacher watching a bird.

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, IL

Winter Reveal! Look Who Was Living Here!

When the leaves drop I am always AMAZED at who was living so close to me and I didn't EVEN know it. Take a look...

A Bald-Faced Hornet nest in the parking lot.

Robin Nest Made of Mud, Grass and Sticks

Red Winged Black Bird Nest in Marsh

Bird Nest Made of Small Sticks in Marsh-Bird Unknown

 Muskrat Home on Edge of Marsh

A Squirrel's nest known as a DRAY.
A Squirrel's nest has leaves rather than sticks or grasses.

Click for More About... 

...Bald-Faced Hornets

...Red Winged Blackbirds   

...Robins    

...Muskrats

...Squirrels

AND a KOOL thing to do...

...Project Squirrel (a Citizen Science Project)

We Are In The SUNNY SEASON!

Yep..we are officially in the "SUNNY SEASON" but I'll bet that I didn't have to tell YOU that! The sunny season is May through October with the greatest amount of sunshine in July and August. That's statistically speaking of course.

YEAH SUN! Now we can go SWIMMING!

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

TOTAL ECLIPSE of the MOON-April 14-15

Winter is my absolute FAVORITE season to star watch with its clear skies and spectacular constellations like Orion, the hunter. But sometimes no matter what the season, kool stuff happens in the sky like the total Eclipse of the moon happening in mid-April. Can't wait--hope it is a clear night as we haven't seen this event in North America for 2 1/2 years. Enjoy!




For more information go to:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/April-2014-Total-Lunar-Eclipse-252931091.html.

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement.

House In the Wood at www.houseinthwood.com

Northwestern Settlement at www.nush.org

Totally Envious...I want to see a Flying Squirrel

I want to see a FLYING SQUIRREL at MY feeders.

From lakecountynature.com

Why they are called FLYING squirrels from squirrelguide.com

There is a VERY good chance that we have them as they like forest but it is very hard to see these shy and fast squirrels because they only come out at night. My plan is to get a night capable motion camera and mount it next to the bird feeders at camp and Elliott House to see what shows up. I'll keep you posted and maybe I'll have my own pictures to show you.

House In the Wood is operated by Northwester Settlement