04.20.09

New arrivals.

For the past several years we have had two different pairs of tree swallows nesting at our house...one in the backyard (using a purchased box) and a pair in the front (tucked up under the edge of the roof).

Today was the first day I saw swallows flying around.  This little one was cleaning himself (or herself) on the deck railing.

04.17.09

Anyone up for dinning outdoors?

I had to include this photo...it was all gone within 24 hours.

04.16.09

SNOW!

Well, we got snow...not as much as was originally predicted.  We ended up with 20-24 inches.  We were out shoveling and blowing and I noticed this snow on the light post - thought it was interesting.

04.15.09

Breakfast.

We were slated for a big spring storm.  It began snowing early Friday AM, but not enough to cancel school.  One of the squirrels (we have a pair that regular the feeders) was munching on some black oil sunflower seeds.  Made my way to work only to have the district call it half-way through the day.

04.10.09

Red and blue make purple?

This morning when I was leaving for work I spotted a robin and bluebird in the neighbor's front yard. They were both hopping around eating "stuff" out of the grass. As I continued watching them, a fem ale bluebird came around the corner of rock.

04.09.09

Claymation.

We are in week three of our claymation enrichment class at school. I have about eight students, grades 4-6, that are participating in the class. During week one and two the students completed their storyboards. Today they began creating their characters with wire and foil. Once their "skeleton" is done, they will be adding clay...I'll keep you all updated.

04.08.09

Healsville Animal Sanctuary.

As I posted last week, I will be headed to Australia at the end of May with four of my students. We received an email that highlighted the residents of one stop on our itinerary - Healesville Animal Sanctuary, home to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

The Sanctuary has played a major roll in the recovery efforts from the Victorian Bush fires earlier this year. Some of the sanctuary’s most common refugees were injured koalas, as they were often too slow to get out of burning areas, and many received burns on their paws. Once recovered, these koalas will return to the wild, and released into areas not affected by the recent ravaging wildfires. We are all county the days!