The Magnifying Glass

Winter Solstice

We have been keeping a keen eye on the sun... without looking right at it of course. 

Winter Solstice is coming and we have been watching the path of the sun and observing the long shadows. Waiting for the days to begin stretching out with more light.

 

I added a couple of links below if you would like more information on the solstice:

EarthSky: Everything you need to know about the winter solstice of 2011

National Geographic article about the history of solstice celebrations

 

Do you do anything special to celebrate the return of the sun? We would love to hear about what you do.

And you in the southern hemishere... Are you doing anything to celebrate your summer solstice?

~Dawn

 

 

In the Land of Giants.

 

Some of you may have seen the recent news about the 1,500 year old tree that fell in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California last month.  For those of you who might not have heard about this remarkable event, I thought that I would pop in and share a video link where you can get some more information on the story.  The tree itself was one of the largest and the oldest on earth and the pictures of it laying across the ground are stunning. 

There has been considerable controversy after the fact about just what to do with the tree, which I think makes for an interesting discussion to have with kids.  This is especially true since children have such a great way of ignoring all of the obstacles that adults create in thinking about these kinds of challenges! 

If you are looking for a great companion book for a discussion about giant redwoods, you can check out my review of Redwoods by Jason Chin in the TMG archives here. 

--- Annie

Four O'Clock Fun

Ciao and Hello! I am so sorry for the prolonged absence from The Magnifying Glass...traveling back to the States for six weeks and hosting visitors here in Sicily led to a longer than expected hiatus, but we are now "plugged" back in and have lots to share from our recent adventures starting with one of our favorite summer time activities.

 Summer days in Sicily are hot and dry which means we usually emerge later in the afternoons and evenings to enjoy the cooler breezes and dramatic sunsets. And we aren't the only ones who perk up later in the day: our four o'clock flowers do, too. It is easy to see how they got their common name because their blooms really do unfurl during the cooler parts of the day. It is pretty amazing to see those flowers opening up each afternoon right on schedule. Actually, it isn't an internal clock, but more of a thermometer that prompts them to open up later in the day and close back up again when the temps rise with the morning sun.One of my favorite summer activities as a kid was making flower crowns and bracelets from the four o'clocks that thrived in our yard and it is so much fun to now share that experience with my kids. It's a simple, but very satisfying process. Here's what we do:  find a long piece of grass/weed stem, pick a bloom, pinch off the end and pull out the stamen, thread on the grass, and repeat until you have a lovely scented lei.

 Four O'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are tropical and nocturnal plants which means they grow best in warmer climates and they open at dusk. Their enticing scent attracts hawk moths and sphinx moths. The seeds are also fun and easy to collect especially for eager little hands...just be sure no one eats them or decides to stick one up a nostril (like my mother did when she was a child...she didn't tell anyone until it began to swell and germinate). In warmer climates the four o'clocks will usually re-seed and multiply for future summers, but in cooler areas save the seeds for planting next spring or dig up the tubers that are formed and store those in a safe spot for re-planting in the spring (similar to what is done with dahlias).

I hope you and your families are enjoying this summer season (or winter if you are in the Southern hemisphere). Have been growing anything fun, interesting, or tasty in your yard this season?  If so, please tell us about it!

---Lucia

Summer Nature

Summer is finally in full swing in these parts... way up here in Nova Scotia we get a bit of a late start.

We found this nest today and think this is the nest of a red eyed vireo... a bird experts feed back is welcome.

These eggs found yesterday on eel grass out in the bay are a mystery... anyone know?

No mystery here... a green snake.

One of the five native snake species living in Nova Scotia. Thank goodness none are venomous.

The blue jays and crows love our big cottonwood trees in the front yard. We have been finding their feathers standing straight up in the grass lately. A fun treat from the birds.

Frogs in all stages of froghood are in the pond... from eggs to the big bull frogs. After their very short captivity we think these three will be much wiser when predators are in the midst of the pond.

We would love to see and hear about the nature you have been observing this summer. Please do tell!

~Dawn

 

June Events

June is filled with wonderful events to get the family outdoors for fun nights of camping... moon watching... or just enjoying the warmth of the first day of summer. I thought I would share a few that have come across my radar lately:

• National Get Outdoors Day is June 11th
• Strawberry Moon is June 15th
• Summer Solstice is June 21st
• The National Wildlife Federations Great American Backyard Campout is June 25th

Please share any June events I missed in the comments.

Have you participated in or celebrated any of the events above? We would love to hear about it.

Happy first month of summer!

~Dawn

 

Welcome the New Season! Celebrating the Equinox

 
Lucia:  Welcoming Spring in Sicily

Spring is my favorite season in Sicily. It is a heady mix of green fields, fast moving clouds, and ditches over-flowing with vibrant wildflowers. Being on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean means that most of the year we have full sun, lots of cacti, and dry, heat-baked surroundings.

 
This is the season that is most productive: blood oranges, artichokes, strawberries, lemons, purple cauliflowers, wild asparagus and fennel. It is also the season that is most unpredictable. March is especially temperamental and there is an Italian saying which is very accurate: “Arriva marzo pazzerello; esce il sole e prendi l’ombrello!” (Here comes crazy March; the sun comes out, and you grab your umbrella!)  We welcome Spring in Sicily by picking lots of wildflowers, eating lots of strawberries, and hiking with sunscreen and raincoats.

 

 

Dawn:  Welcoming Spring in Nova Scotia
After a winter full of snow, Dawn and her family are excited to see the snow starting to melt and the crocuses poking through.  They have much to be thankful for.

 

Annie:  Welcoming Spring in Vermont
As the equinox approaches, life in Vermont does not appear quite so Spring-like on the surface.  In fact, we are having a bit of snow this weekend.  But if you look closely, it is indeed possible to see evidence of the new season to come.

Although we are not farmers, our lives are very much intertwined with the happenings on the local farm where my daughter goes to school.  We know that Spring must be just around the corner, because there are numerous new additions to the farmyard these days.

 
Perhaps the cutest harbinger of Spring around, no?

 

Nancy: Welcoming Spring in Washington, D.C.

 

Our snow is long gone, but our Spring flowers have barely started to bloom. The temperature swings wildly from just above freezing to the warmth of a summer day.  Yesterday we took our first bike ride of the year as a family. Today we are planting some seeds for our kitchen garden, and we are looking forward to the annual kite and cherry blossom festival.  Welcome, Spring!

 

How is your family celebrating the change in seasons?  Please share with us here and be sure and post your photos on the TMG flickr pool.