Butterflies and Other Backyard Finds

Face on with the swallow tail.

Swallowtail and white butterfly on purple cone flowers

 I was with my family hanging out in the backyard and we spotted a couple butterflies on the cone flowers of my aunt's garden.  Having worked in a butterfly garden or two in the past they were easy to identify. The larger butterfly with yellow wings that have black stripes is called a tiger swallowtail. The white one is just a white butterfly, there are many types but it was hard to identify it when it kept moving about. As I got closer to take the pictures of the butterflies the swallow tail would fly away then swoop around the yard before returning to the flowers. To help identify some butterflies in Maryland you can go to: http://www.marylandbutterflies.com/, or for general North American moths and butterflies see  https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/. These are both good places to start when trying to identify butterflies. To attract butterflies there are two different kinds of gardens one can make, for them to lay eggs on called host plants and one for nectar. Some butterflies only lay eggs on certain plants for the larvae, caterpillars, to eat and grow on. Monarchs for example only lay eggs on milkweed because that is what they eat. My aunt's garden has more of the nectar plants. These are good for the adult butterflies to enjoy some nectar for food.

There was also a squirrel that made an appearance trying to get food from the bird feeder. Which sometimes happens. And a few birds flew by as well.

What is in your backyard? Try making garden choices that are good for wildlife which make for great nature watching. Pollinators like butterflies need more flowers to enjoy, and we get to enjoy looking at them. Meet Me Outdoors.

Cicada 2021

Cicada shell

 This is the year for the 17 year cicada brood to emerge for Baltimore and surrounding region. Cicadas are an insect that spends most of its life underground before emerging, shed their skins and fly off to find a mate. And part of that mate finding includes making a loud chirping clicking sound. Once mated their adult part of the life cycle ends. They have been out since mid-May and yet I haven't seen many in my area. I hear them when near wooded areas but it wasn't until yesterday that I finally really saw them. I might have seen one or two these last few weeks but that is it. 

I went for a walk along a parking that was surrounded by many trees. And on the ground I found cicadas crawling about, and not crawling. I went off to go chat with friends and noticed something odd sitting on a rock. It wasn't moving, and looked like an insect of sorts. So me being me I snapped a picture thinking I will identify it later. After getting home on closer inspection of the picture, I figured out what I found, a cicada shell, the exoskeleton. It is the skin left behind from a molting larva into adult cicada form. Look closely and you will see a slit along the middle back and counting legs there are only four and not six. It also has a translucent quality to it. It's pretty cool when you think about.

Indoor Garden - First harvest!

Last week I posted that I was growing an indoor lettuce garden. And this week I did my first harvest! Following the tips from others who have the same garden kit on how to properly harvest the lettuce I went with the whole leaf method. On the right you can see the before picture. This shows that the Red Sails (the purple one) and the Black Seeded Simpson leaves were covering up the pod that has yet to fully sprout and the others were also fighting for light. So I cut them down a bit.

You can see here on the left what I kept on the plants after the harvest. I might still trim a few more but this was a start. They say not to take more than a third of the plant at each harvest so that it can recover and grow. The plants are quick growers so I am not too worried. Just have to figure out what to do with my small pile of fresh salad greens. Yes, make a salad is the typical answer for what to make with lettuce. And maybe that is what I will do. Start simple, to get to know the flavors then go more advanced in my salad making or lettuce uses.

It is nice that even while it is snowing outside I can still have my own bit of green and fresh produce. This is a great way to let kids see where food comes from, and grow their own salads and other veggies. Even if you don't get a fancy kit to create your own indoor garden there are other ways to start one. You can take empty food containers and fill with soil and plant seeds, get some small pots, or other recyclable containers, even toilet paper tubes can work for starting seeds. Take the tube, cut four slits on one end to fold over creating a cup, fill it with soil stand them up inside a cleaned food container, getting 4-6 of them in the container depending on size, and place by a window to watch the seeds grow. Remember to water them each day as needed. Enjoy your own indoor garden grow, Meet Me Outdoors.

A Rainbow Walk

I went for a walk around Federal Hill today to get a little sunshine. Along the way I decided to take pictures of flowers and plants of different colors of the rainbow. Not quite sure what all of the different plants are but that is why I have downloaded the PlantSnap app, you can load a picture from your phone and it will give you options for which plant you may have. It has been useful in helping me identify some of the unique flowers I find on my walks. What colorful things would you find on your own rainbow walk? Explore the colors of the rainbow on your next adventure, Meet Me Outdoors.

Stuck at Home, But Having Fun

Feeling stuck at home? Well we all do these days. I have been working from home these last couple weeks and while it is a lovely day out and perhaps will go on a walk, I just finished a little project. I decided to use all of the random seeds I have been saving from various fruits and make a little fun animation. You can also make your own stop motion animations using found objects in nature and a camera. What kinds of fun nature art animations will you come up with?
I hope this helps you smile today, Meet Me Outdoors.

Peach picking!

I went peach picking with friends. While I probably got more peaches than I would be able to eat on my own, it was lots of fun. A great thing to do with family and/or friends. Now I have to figure out what to with all of the peaches. A pie or jam could be a possibility, maybe find a smoothie recipe.

Apples coming in season soon maybe I will go for those next. Hope you can get out and get some fresh fruit or veggies from local farms, Meet Me Outdoors.

Did You See the Solar Eclipse 2017?

Today millions of people across the United States watched the solar eclipse. Some were lucky to be in the totality, most were in areas where you only can see a partial eclipse. I was in Baltimore, MD at the Maryland Science Center. While we did have to wait for clouds near the maximum eclipse, we still got a good views when we did. 

Solar Eclipse 2017 Through the Clouds in Baltimore, MD

I was able to capture the partially eclipsed sun through the clouds that were just the right thickness. What did you see during the eclipse? Did you try any of the safe viewing tricks? 

Save those eclipse shades for the next solar eclipse that will cross through the United States in 2024. The path of totality will go from Texas to Maine crossing through Cleveland, Ohio. Where will you be for the next eclipse? Looking forward to next time, Meet Me Outdoors.

Safe Solar Viewing of Solar Eclipse 2017

The most talked about celestial event of the year is less than a week a way. On August 21, 2017 the Moon passes in between the Earth and the Sun and this shadow is going to move across the Continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina. This is called a solar eclipse.

Only people in the path of the shadow will see an eclipse.

Everywhere not in the center of this path but in North America will be getting a partial eclipse while those on the path are going to see a total eclipse of the sun. Where will you be during the solar eclipse of 2017? Check out NASA's Eclipse 2017 website for an interactive map and see how much of an eclipse you will get.  Here is a collection of tips for viewing this really cool event with your friends and family.

Rule #1 - NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN

Taken with cellphone camera with eclipse shades used as solar filter

The sun is way to bright to look at with your own eyes. Staring at the sun can burn your eyes damaging them and rendering you blind. When any part of the sun's surface is visible it is still dangerous to look at without protection. The only way to safely look at the sun directly is to use solar eclipse shades. To know if you have the correct, safe shades you need to see that they have ISO 12312-2 international standard certification printed on them. The only thing you should be able to see with these specially rated eclipse shades is the sun. (See picture of sun with filter.) Your regular, everyday sunglasses are not rated for direct solar viewing, DO NOT use them for the eclipse. 

Science museums, planetariums, observatories even some libraries have been giving away the safe solar eclipse shades however supplies is limited as the eclipse day approaches. Finding these shades online for purchase is not cheap. If you haven't gotten a pair of these eclipse shades, fear not! There are ways to experience the eclipse without going blind. 

Shadow Play - Eclipse Style

In doing research for this blog post, and for work, I have found some unique tricks to viewing the eclipse indirectly.

Pinhole Projector 

A pinhole projector is made using, as it says a pinhole to project an image of the sun. Take two cards card and poke a hole in one of them. Take both cards outside with you during the eclipse and stand with the sun to your back. Hold the card with the hole in it over your shoulder and the other card just a few inches away. If aimed right you should see a bright dot on the second card, this is the sun. You can move the second card away from the pinhole card to get a bigger projection. Making the hole bigger means you will have to move the card farther from the card or paper you are projecting to. Don't try to see the sun through the hole, this will blind you, always look at the shadow of the card.

Want to have some fun with your pinhole projections? 

Pinhole projection of a solar eclipse using a colander. Credit: Alice Pintus

Try poking out a message in your card. During the eclipse you will see crescent suns projected in the shape of your message.  Bring out some simple kitchen items like a spoon with holes, colander (the kind with big holes works better than mesh) and a grater with small holes. Aim these objects while looking at the shadows on the ground and when you get it to show the holes you will see little projections of the sun. Pinhole projection ideas.

Make a pinhole viewer tube

To simplify your pinhole projection during eclipse time make a pinhole view tube like the one shown here.  All you need is a cardboard tube like a mailing tube, you can even use a potato chip tube if you have one, thick index card and tape.  See instructions below, adult assistance required to cut through cardboard tube.

Pinhole viewer tube window with end capped off (Steps 1 and 2)

Step 1 - Cut a rectangle out of one end of the side of the tube to make a window. (See picture.)
Step 2 - Cap off the end of the tube with the window with white paper. (See picture.)

Step 2 - Tape a thick card or tinfoil to the opposite end of the tube from the window. 

Step 3 - Poke hole in the card taped on the end opposite from the window. 

If you are using a potato chip tub - Step 4 -  roll and stick dark paper inside inside the canister to reduce any brightness from foiled walls of the tub.  Re-cut the window out of the dark paper to see the white paper at the bottom.

Completed pinhole viewer tube
Pinhole on top -  Window and capped end on bottom

Once made take outside on sunny day have sun behind you and tip tube so that the end with the pinhole is pointing toward the sun and the window down to the ground. See picture of completed viewer tube to see how to hold it. To aim it right look at the shadow of the tube on the ground and tip the tube so the shadow looks like a circle and not a hotdog. When the shadow is a circle you can look through the window down to the paper and you should see a projected sun on the capped end inside the tube. During the partial eclipse phase you will see a crescent sun on the capped end at the bottom through the window when aimed correctly. The longer the tube you have, the bigger the projection will be. With the potato chip tubs the image will be small and slightly out of focus. A longer tube will be a bit more in focus and you can get a larger projected image of the sun. The bigger the pinhole the farther the screen needs to be to get it in focus. Interesting note - with the pinhole projection the image seen is upside-down.

Tree Shadows

Do you have a tree nearby? One really cool way to see the partial eclipse phases is to look at the shadow of the tree. In this shadow the tiny gaps between the leaves are acting as a pinhole projector and you will see crescent suns in the shadows.  As long as you don't break Rule #1 and look up through the tree to the sun, this is a safe fun way to see a projection of the sun being covered by the moon.

The Eclipse Tree - Credit & Copyright: E. Israel

Things to Remember

If you happen to be in the path of totality and the crescent sun in the shadow has disappeared, you can actually look up at the sun directly and witness the total eclipse of the sun. The sky will darken, you may feel it be a bit colder temperature, and you may notice animals behaving like it is almost night time. Of course, once the Moon is no longer blocking the full sun you need to look away, put those eclipse shades back on if you got them, and celebrate that you saw a total solar eclipse. 

For the rest of us not in the path of totality, but able to see a partial solar eclipse stick to the safe viewing tips mentioned above, my personal favorite that I will try is the colander projection method. Also remember, while the eclipse is a special event, being out in the sun is no different from any normal sunny day. Wear your sunblock, bring a hat, drink water to stay hydrated. With kids you can use these safe viewing methods of shadow play and have a good time. Whether go to a special eclipse viewing event or make one of your own, join millions of people across North America and experience the Solar Eclipse of 2017, Meet Me Outdoors.

For further information and other resources:

NASA's eclipse website, has lots of good resources - eclipse2017.nasa.gov  

Extreme detailed dos and don'ts of eclipse: https://dyer.vanderbilt.edu/solar-eclipse/ 

Tree shadows - https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap001225.html

Video: Why a total solar eclipse is such a big deal - https://youtu.be/oNH3akWXaV8

Exploring the Rain Garden

A few years ago I ran an elective class that helped maintain a garden across the field from the school. It has likely been as long since anyone really looked over it. The garden was designed to act as a rain garden and a learning garden. As a rain garden the plants are native to the region and everything grows without much maintenance. When I ran the elective I tried to have a section or two of the garden for a vegetable garden for the kids to maintain. With no one maintaining it over summer between school years the vegetable garden patches are lost among the rest of the plants. What brought me to the garden this time was that it was the end of the school year and I wanted to add my class's compost collection to the compost pile.

The path I usually take to walk through the garden was over grown when I arrived the other day. The alternated path took me over the water that runs through the garden. If you look carefully in the first picture you can see the bit of purple flowers that caught my eye.  You can see it the little dip in the garden that is where the water collects when it rains. I wouldn't say it is big enough to be called a creek, but it is enough that you have to hop over it to get the back main part of the garden. 

The plants may not seem like much from the distance, many are about waist height on me. I don't think I would let the younger kids I work with run through it now since most of the plants would be taller than them and I would lose sight of them. 

Along the edges of the garden, especially near the dip in the ground, I could see some interesting flowers of different colors. The one I could identify was that purple flower, you can see my attempt to take close ups of the flower with my phone on the left. The flower is a type of iris. I like the colorfulness of it. It is days like that one when I walk through the garden when I miss having one.  Right now all of my attempts to plant things from seeds has only given me sprouts but no plants from that. My geranium is the only plant that I have had for a few years that is still growing nicely, hopefully it will flower again soon.  While I may not have my own garden it is nice to be able to see other ones near by. Hope you also get to see what your neighborhood gardens have to offer this spring, Meet Me Outdoors.

Great River Road - Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin

My road trip started in Minneapolis, MN, the first town after crossing the border into Wisconsin is Prescott.  As the friendly sign says it is the gateway to the Great River Road, or series of state and local roads that follow the Mississippi River.  The welcome center in Prescott was full of maps and brochures of places along the Great River Road and of the road's path itself.  I also picked up a few post cards there

This was the real beginning of the road trip.  All along the Great River Road you find the green shield sign like in the second picture. The state name appears at the bottom of the shield, this one is in Wisconsin. 

With a long way to go and only one day to get to the next big city on the trip we didn't spend too much time in Prescott.  Following the signs for the Great River Road we came across the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin. Inside the visitor center there were some great hands on exhibits about the wildlife, art exhibits, and a balcony with views of the river and binoculars for bird watching. It is a National Park Service Partner site so kids can take part in the Junior Ranger program. There is even a playground and some picnic tables around as well.

We spent enough time to explore the nature center and take in views.  It was interesting to learn about the history of the area.  Seeing the blue water of the St. Croix River blend into the muddy Mississippi River. 

There were different gardens that feature what habitats can be found in the region. I liked the butterfly garden in particular.  Even found a few butterflies flitting about.  Of course I couldn't get any to stay still for a picture, so all I have are the butterflies on the accent mosaic tiles on the pathway around the garden. 

It was nice to get a chance to stretch our legs from driving before picking up the trail again.  It was going to be a few hours drive to our lunch break town. 

Before getting back in the car I walked around the park area and heard a woodpecker.  I tried to get a good picture.  When I spotted it, it was up a dead tree pecking away looking for food. The tree didn't have any leaves which made it easy to spot the bird.  I didn't have any binoculars with me so the bird was a little moving blob along the trunk of the tree near the top. When I went back through the pictures forgot why I took the picture of the tree until I looked carefully and saw the blob that is a woodpecker.  Points to anyone who can find the woodpecker in the picture on the left.  The adventure continues,  Meet Me Outdoors

Lake of the Isles Park - Minneapolis, MN

Beginning of this year's summer road trip traveling along the Mississippi River starts in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes so I walked around Lake of the Isles Park which is part of Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park. 

It was a really nice walk even as it reached midday summer heat. I made sure to bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and took water, which is important.

Between the walking path and the lake was perimeter of wild flowers where I saw some butterflies fluttering from flower to flower and other pollinators like bees. I saw some monarch butterflies and an Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. Only the one that I was able to take a picture of was a monarch. Look for the triangular shaped thing in the center of the picture.

As I walked around the lake there were some rent a canoe spots and we watched as one group prepared themselves to start their canoeing experience.  There are two paths around the lake, one for those on foot and the other for those who are on bikes. The lake I walked had a very funny shape to it unlike another in the chain of lakes that is more circular.  The shape of Lake of the Isles when I mapped my waking was more like a duck head shape.  

The road trip continues following the river Southwards. I am looking forward the adventure. Go see what you can find at your local parkes, Meet Me Outdoors.

4th of July Parade - Takoma Park

  

Yesterday was 4th of July which is Independence Day for the USA. I decided to go to a town just outside of Washington DC called Takoma Park to see their parade. The weather held out just enough to see the whole parade before it started raining.  

The pictures are some of the interesting sights of the parade.  There were music groups, vintage cars, a dance team, and lots of dogs.  The dog float was to bring awareness to dog park that was supposed to have been built a year ago has yet been built. 

My day ended with seeing a fireworks display. How did you spend the day? Meet Me Outdoors.

Dino-Mite Summer, Harrisburg PA

On a mini weekend road trip adventure to Northern PA. We stopped in Harrisburg, PA for lunch and driving through we saw painted dinosaur statues. They are part of an outdoor public art exhibition called Dino-Mite Summer. I took some pictures of them as we walked along the road of the ones that stood out to me. Hoping for more sights along the trip, Meet Me Outdoors.

Finding pictures in clouds

I am out at a lakeside in western Maryland and enjoying the view. I am making pictures in the clouds as they pass by. Go and enjoy the day, Meet Me Outdoors

Light City

I went to the Light City festival yesterday. After work I walked all along the harbor watching them set up for the evenings festivities.

I enjoyed seeing the harbor come to life with the families all around.  Some of Baltimore's landmarks tricked out for the festival as well as livening up for the beginning of spring time.

Along my walk a saw many dragon boats were out on the water.  Something I have not done since I was a kid visiting Baltimore many years ago.   I found the Inner Harbor Water Wheel, working to clean the harbor of trash that sadly ends up there as litter. 

As the sun set the lights started to turn on and it was a more colorful glow than usual in the city. Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse had an amazing light up design on it for Light City. The picture I have is before sunset, but after sunset it was amazing but I was too far for a picture.

One of the attractions for the festival was this colorful peacock.  The lights were definitely mesmerizing.  There is something really cool about all the lights at night. Even the cotton candy sticks were colorful blinky light wands.  Lots of light up swards, too. 

I was also amazed by the sunset yesterday I saw it between the buildings as I was finishing my walk before dinner. After dinner I went back to the light festival which was super crowded with families and adults taking in the amazing feature, concerts and general festivities.  But the fiery glow of the sunset really made me smile.  Hoping to explore more festivals throughout the summer season. Be sure to check out the local ones near you, Meet Me Outdoors

Spring is here!

I went on a walk during my lunch break and saw all if the cherry blossom trees were in bloom.  These were in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival is going on in Washington DC is going on now through April 17. Since I can't make it down to DC to see the festival this year, finding the cherry blossom trees here is a treat.

This week at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore we have a new festival called Light City.  I might try sticking around after work to see it.  Enjoy spring time, Meet Me Outdoors.

Joys of a Snow Storm 2016

Beginning of storm

Midway through

The first big snow storm of 2016 was a really big blizzard for the mid-atlantic region. After watching cars get buried under snow over the last 3 days, it was time to dig out the car.
Thankfully, I got a lot of help from the neighbors in digging, threw some snowballs for fun, and once the bulldozer came through it was time for a break. I am looking forward to my hot tea. Stay warm everyone, Meet Me Outdoors.

I found my car!

Cleared but still needing to dig around it.