animals Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Horse Life Cycle Learning Games Booklet

Paula — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 15:48:00 +0000

What do you know about the horse life cycle? What do your kids know about horses? This horse life cycle learning kit is four pages and it might help reinforce a love of literacy while nurturing compassion for living things in general. My daughter rides horses and she has a passion for them. She’s been riding at Sari Therapy Riding since she was about 5 or 6 and she’s 16 now. She looks forward to doing this weekly and knows a lot more about horses than I ever have in my entire life. She has done summer camps that involve horseback riding and therapeutic riding lessons as well as dressage. In the summer during camp they often do a lot of horse themed educational activities. They learn the parts of horses and how to care for horses and what to look for that might indicate a problem or health issue. I know my daughter is not alone in her love of horses. It is a common passion for a lot of teens and tweens. These days, every weekend on Sundays she gets her gear on and we drive her out near Arva, just outside London where she grooms and cares for her horse and then rides for half an hour or more. Her sessions are a highlight of the week. Horses simply seem to get humans and have a pretty cool relationship with them. One thing I am pretty sure she doesn’t know much about it the horse life cycle though. I mean when does that ever come up. Anyways, if your kids are into horses and enjoy riding or hope to be able to ride a horse one day then these horse life cycle games are a great way to encourage that interest. When my girls were younger they both often went through these phases where they were obsessed and wanted to know everything possible about a specific animal. They went though dinosaurs, or sharks and my other one went through cosplay and anime. This booklet is easy to download just click on the link below and a trusted PDF book will pop up. What’s in the Horse Life Cycle Kit? Here’s what’s included in this cute and free learning tool for school aged kids. The first page is a Glue the Pieces to the Page Puzzle. Trace the letters spelling activity is on Page 2. Page 3 is a sweet little maze – help the horse find his way through the maze to the mare. Page 4 is a Self Correcting Puzzle. Use the scissors to cut this out and help reinforce hand eye coordination and fine motor skills too. Want to Keep the Learning Going? I suggest you check out my Solar System Learning Unit. Also, I have a turkey life cycle activity, in addition to the horse life cycle games here. a Seahorse Life Cycle activity and finally a Bee Life Cycle activity. Get More Free Printables What Do You Need Right Now?

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Best Zoo Webcams to Watch Right Now

Paula — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 15:15:21 +0000

Clearly, we can’t get to the zoo right now, during the pandemic. But what if you could bring the zoo to you? These Zoo Webcams do just that! Do the kids want to watch and learn about their favourite animals and species right now anyways? Are they concerned about their favourite zoos or the animals there? Well, let them watch some of these Zoo Webcams and they will be entertained for hours over the next few weeks. Oh I know there are so many potential puns and jokes to be had regarding zoos and kids and families. Bringing the literal zoo into your zoo at home! LOL. Or maybe this one: bringing animals to your little animals? Meh, we are all just trying to do our best right now and these are some excellent resources that can help all of you. Some of the Best Zoo WebCams Around the World I can honestly say I saw pandas this morning and they were up and walking around thriving. SO great. What a way to start the day! Listen, this is a no pressure thing right now entirely. For me, at my house, it’s about maintaining sanity and positivity and staying busy. I enjoy seeing the pandas and other wildlife on the webcams – it makes me happy and is a perfect way to launch a potentially challenging day. Super Grateful for These Right Now My gratitude exercise right now, is actually thank goodness for webcams and technology. I can be in San Diego at the zoo or in Atlanta or Kansas City. That is exceptional. The Smithsonian! Canadian Zoo Webcams/ Recording and Youtube This list is smaller than I had hoped and not for lack of trying. Let’s just say, I am kind of surprised that more Canadian zoos don’t have webcams up and running. Maybe, something they need to look at for future. Toronto Zoo has Youtube resources, so that’s certainly something. Love that zoo, so if I am wrong and you know they have live zoo webcams, please drop me a line or a comment. Thanks! Hit subscribe so you don’t miss any of the updates. Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo PandaCam. WOW the Calgary Zoo has an impressive leg up on conservation efforts now leaning hard into a global mission that is admirable. Greater Vancouver Zoo – Youtube. Not Exactly Zoo WebCams, But Still AWESOME Nature in Its Glory Not a ZOO BUT even more Wildlife in their habitat. This is my new favourite actually. Relaxing and Educational These Zoo Webcams can be relaxing, or educational right now. While I started watching these during the peak pandemic years, I have updated them for 2026 and still enjoy popping in from time to time to see what’s changed. Enjoy these when you are hunting for something to keep kids occupied. My new favourite is the polar bears on Explore.org above.

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DK Canada Makes Learning Fun With These Wildlife Books

Paula — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 12:39:29 +0000

DK Canada, a publisher of educational books, makes learning fun! If there’s one thing that you have to do to get kids excited about feeding their minds, it’s this: You have to make learning fun. If learning feels like a chore, nobody wants to do it. So how do you make learning fun? By giving children resources that spark their imagination and make it fun to learn. DK Canada is a publisher that certainly knows how to do that. I frequently get their books as presents for my children and for nieces and nephews too, and these great books are always a huge hit! DK Canada – Feeding Minds with Facts So why do the kids love DK Canada books so much? Simple. They’re fun! While they may contain as much information as some textbooks, they don’t FEEL like textbooks. They’re not boring and they are beautiful. DK Canada books use tons of pictures and language that is relatable to the kids. It sparks their imaginations with vibrant, colorful pictures and easy to understand information. That’s why I’m in love with these books. They make the kids in my life fall in love with learning. I recently picked up three more books for the kids in my life. My daughter is obsessed with both sharks and Marvel, so she got two shark books this time around, as I’d already gotten her a couple of Marvel books – also from DK Canada. (Marvel books are also exceptional from DK Canada. They are just gorgeous. My youngest carries hers many places.) I got my nephew the Smithsonian Super Nature Encyclopedia. He is such a smart little dude. At 9 years of age, he’s already working on his third language and he thirsts for knowledge. Plus as an aunt I love that he adores reading. [tweetthis]Make learning fun and give some of these great wildlife books for Christmas too. @DKCanada[/tweetthis] Three Great Books from DK Canada Let’s take a closer look at the great books I got from DK Canada this time around. These are always gifts I am thrilled to give to any little person. Smithsonian Super Nature Encylopedia This book features information on 100 of the most incredible creatures on the planet. My nephew is fascinated by the natural world, so this was perfect for him. He just turned nine and he is fascinated by gross and unique facts. There are plenty of odd creatures in this book to wow and capitative any young reader. Heres what DK Canada has to say about this one: How can a cheetah accelerate from zero to forty miles per hour in three seconds? How do termites build cooling systems into their homes?What is that Alien-like set of jaws in a moray eel’s mouth for? These questions and more are explored in Super Nature Encyclopedia, an interactive look at the “wow” factor of the natural world-spotlighting Great White Sharks, African Elephants, Emperor Moths, Howler Monkeys and more of the world’s most fascinating and surprising animals in remarkable detail. Visualized with incredible 3D animal models with cross-sections and strip layers, readers can explore every essential detail of the animals’ anatomical features and learn why their bodies work the way they do. [tweetthis]Shark crazed child in your house? These @DKCanada books will fuel their obsession. [/tweetthis] Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures Visual Encyclopedia While my daughter is fascinated with sharks, she’s also fascinated with other ocean predators. When Shark Week rolls around, she gets pretty excited about it. She loves documentaries and dramas featuring sharks and she has quite a collection of nature based shark movies too. Brought to life with cutting-edge CGI technology, more than 200 sharks and fierce fish are featured in highly visual profiles. From great white sharks to barracudas, children can explore dangerous waters with age-appropriate texts and photographs. Compare different ocean habitats, body sizes, tails, and more in the eight chapters that cover the different classifications of sharks, including bullhead sharks, ground sharks, and carpet sharks. Find out why they are called tiger sharks, discover how long frilled sharks’ pregnancies last, and see why a hammerhead shark’s head is shaped that way. Learn which sharks live in salt water, which sharks live in fresh water, and which sharks can live in both! Read amazing shark facts about anatomy, behaviour, and habitats, and find key information at a glance with data boxes, facts, and figures laid out in DK’s signature style. Joining DK’s award-winning Visual Encyclopedia format, Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures Visual Encyclopedia is the ultimate one-stop reference book for everything shark. Sharkpedia My daughter will really love this one. Pssttt…don’t tell her but this one is socked away for Christmas. It offers a unique look at sharks that keeps kids interested from start to finish. In fact, I could see my daughter reading this one all the time. A visual and comprehensive research manual and guide that will take kids from tropical paradise to the cold, dark depths, in search of the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful sharks in the ocean, now refreshed with a new look. Kids can go on an around-the-world adventure to track the sea’s most extraordinary predators with Sharkpedia, 2nd Edition. From the huge and harmless whale shark to the puny pygmy shark, these fascinating fish come in many shapes and sizes, and this guide will take kids from tropical paradise to the cold, dark depths of the ocean. Who gulps up tiny plankton? Who snatches unsuspecting seals mid-swim? Kids can see for themselves from the portholes of our trusty vessel or, if they dare, from behind the bars of a shark cage. So grab your scuba gear and get on the boat-we’ve got sharks to find with Sharkpedia, 2nd Edition. DK Canada Makes Learning Fun The kids in my life love learning, and I love to encourage that learning! I have received so many DK Canada books for the kids in my life, and I will most certainly get many more for them in the future. These nature and wildlife books make great Christmas gifts and birthday gifts too. Whenever I give a DK Canada book, I see a spark of interest in the kids’ eyes that is extremely hard to get with most learning books. These books offer visual interest and ease of reading, which makes it easy for the kids to get excited about learning, which is key. I encourage you to give DK Canada books a look. In my experience, there is no better way to get the kids excited about learning. I received product in order to facilitate this post. This post also contains affiliate links to help you shop. My opinion is all my own and it is also always truthful.

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Tracking the White Rhinoceros – A Safari Adventure in Zambia

Paula — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:43:16 +0000

Even now, our safari adventure in Zambia seems surreal. Moments ago, we met a truck full of Zambian security employees armed with guns inside a reserve and sanctuary. Now the group of us walk single file on foot behind an armed escort tracking a white rhinoceros. This field, this sanctuary, is silent but for the sound of us walking and the occasional comment from our leader. Stick together, never run, follow instructions and you will be okay. Sun Setting The sun begins a slow surrender into the horizon, casting an incredible glow on this safari adventure. It is our last night in Zambia. We are on safari in SubSaharan Africa and that alone is magical and unexpected. We have been here visiting and working, interviewing staff, volunteers, and Moms across Zambia about their struggles to access health care, particularly lifesaving vaccines, for children. Why I am Here Our days have been long, scorching, educational and emotional too. We are here with the UN Foundation’s Shot at Life advocacy group. Together we are searching out and sharing the stories we find regarding Moms and their supernatural efforts to get their children what they need. Many of these Zambian Moms will walk as far as 20 kms to get their children lifesaving vaccines, or health care. We have heard many stories about innovation and success and the strength of women. The Last Night Here Tonight we anticipated going back to our rooms to pack, followed by a farewell dinner. But this is Zambia, in Southern Africa. Packing and rest can wait. When one of our members asked if there was anything uniquely local to see our driver advised us that we should go see the rare white rhinoceros. Why not? Together we are each expecting to take a few pictures of rhinos and drive back to the hotel. But, then we are greeted with a safari jeep and an actual safari tour at sunset. Our grins are enormous when we realize we are getting so much more than we thought. The Zambians have over delivered yet again. Just like most everything we have seen and done here we are amazed and surprised at the hospitality. We are treated brilliantly and made to feel at home. Zambians are kind and friendly and we are overwhelmed by our visit here. In Livingstone We venture through the reserve near our resort in Livingstone and scour the bushes for signs of wildlife. Then we turn a corner and three African male bull elephants are right straight in front of us. In a field to the right are bush bucks (they look like impalas) and dozens of zebras again. I will never tire of seeing zebras. They are so peculiar and exotic. Where else on earth would you find a creature so brightly adorned with stripes? Each time I spy a zebra I am overwhelmed with the desire to FaceTime my kids and show them what I am seeing but the time change makes that impossible. We’ve seen elephants and bush bucks and monkeys and giraffes up close. A trio of bull elephants stood directly in front of our jeep as the driver and guide cut the engine and we sat, like sitting ducks taking pictures. Elephants can and will charge you but our guide explains that as long as we show them our presence here is not a threat and we leave them to graze we should be fine. So we do just that snapping pictures, admiring this encounter and revelling in a once in a lifetime adventure. Our guide hands us each a leaf from a tree nearby and tells us we can eat it. Elephants eat this plant all the time, he says. It has a citrus-y flavour with a mint tone. We each try a bit. Monkeys and Babies Monkeys and their babies scamper out of the way of the jeep, hiding from cameras, and the sun slides lower in the sky. Then eventually we come to a guarded gate and a guide with a gun hops into our jeep. We are cleared to proceed, just as another jeep full of British tourists returns with great smiles on their faces. Our respective drivers trade tips – Find the bull elephants on the side road right now, our driver says. White Rhinos The white rhinoceros is another thing entirely. The crash of white rhinoceros is obviously highly guarded and protected. White rhinos have often been targeted by poachers, who will kill them only for their horns. This has happened before and entire herds have been slaughtered. Now the government supports wildlife conservation and takes preservation of these rhinos very seriously. Tracking White Rhinos We walk a short distance and the tracker, guide finds rhino scat. He scrutinizes the dry plants for signs too. They are nearby, but we will have to walk a bit further. This is definitely not something we were expecting. On foot we each follow single file until he stops and points. We walk around the first mother and daughter pair, taking pictures. About 30 feet away from us they are grazing. Other than the rhinos, and the guide, this savannah stretches as far as the eye can see, stopping only at the horizon. White rhinos are the only grazers of all the rhinoceros species. Are White Rhinos Actually White? I am thinking maybe they are extremely dirty white rhinoceros, but they are definitely not white. The guide must be used to this question because he explains: they were actually named wide rhinos by the Dutch but the locals at the time heard white rhinos. The Dutch word for wide sounds a lot like white. Regardless of the name white rhinos are unique and were nearly extinct in the 1900s. Now they are classified as near threatened. White rhinos are the second largest land mammals after the elephant. Sunset on Zambia The other guide spots another crash of rhinos but this time they are right side our jeep. We pause keeping the jeep between us and the magnificent mammals. It’s time to move on, back through the gates leaving these remarkable creatures behind. Before we finish for the day our driver stops along the banks of the Zambezi as we take some photos of the last Zambian sunset we will see. Our time in Zambia draws to a close, but what a way to end an amazing week. I was in Zambia doing a fellowship recently with the UN Foundation’s Shot at Life global vaccination program. If you would like to read more about that see this Shot at Life post.

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Parc Omega in Outaouais is a Wild Family Travel Adventure

Paula — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:33:24 +0000

This July we had a wild family adventure at Parc Omega in the Outaouais Region of Quebec. There are probably a lot of jokes to be made here about wildlife and family for instance. And I am not above cracking wise on occasion but this adventure was enjoyable from start to finish and it was a highlight of our family trip to Quebec. No jokes or puns needed. Just pure education, fun and memories made together at Parc Omega. Sharing Quebec with my Family The best part of travel writing and blogging is sharing adventures with my family and creating memories. We began our family trip this year in Gatineau Park and spent a couple of nights in the city of Gatineau, fourth largest city in the province of Quebec. We had one of our greatest adventures ever zip lining at Arbraska Lafleche in Val-des-Monts and then we headed North towards Montebello. But first Parc Omega. The Wildlife Adventure I had heard great things about this adventure travel destination and we were all excited to visit and see the park for ourselves. Isn’t there something about seeing animals up close that makes everyone feel young again? And what child does not love a wildlife adventure? Is Parc Omega Easy to Find? Parc Omega was easy to spot from the road to Montebello and signage is abundant. Thankfully the lineup of cars and vans waiting to get in moved fast. We listened for directions. Where bears are involved we want our children to have a healthy respect for how you behave. Naturally, we also wanted to be sure everyone was safe and that all rules were clear. Signs are everywhere telling you where you can park and get out to stroll around and where you should simply observe from the car or van. Tip: Bring a Bag of Carrots with you for some of the animals like the wapitis that you can feed. Drive Through Part of the Park You know how some wildlife parks have you ride through the grounds in your van or car and you worry about monkeys or other climbing animals doing damage to your vehicle? This is not that place. Parc Omega has North American and European animals, flora and fauna only and there is a very fluid natural flow to the entire atmosphere. Grounds are really well kept and spacious and all of the enclosures are integrated into the natural landscape. Wapitis greet you as soon as you drive in, but they are gentle and the worst you can rally expect from them is slobber on your windows as you feed them carrots. Tune In To the Radio One of my favourite Parc Omega features was the fact that they have their own radio broadcast. First, you get a map with instructions on where to tune in on Parc Radio 90.1 or 88.1. One channel is English and one is French. The taped radio show is informational and useful. Naturally, I enjoy that passive learning that gives children a chance to grow their little brains while not realizing they are being taught. How Long Does it Take? I was unsure of how much time to allocate for Parc Omega and expected we’d fill a few hours exploring. With 2,200 acres of wildlife and hiking paths to explore we could have spent 6-8 hours easily. In the end we stayed a good 4-5 hours and didn’t really want to leave. We saw bison, elk, wapitis, ibex, moose, deer, wild boars, foxes, timberwolves, musk oxen, coyotes, goats, bears and more. Finally, we watched two short educational shows so we could learn more about Parc Omega. Rescues We were a bit surprised to learn that there are numerous rescued animals and birds like racoons, owls, hawks and turtles that had broken wings or busted shells, even broken limbs or limbs that were missing. That made us like Parc Omega even more. After the raptors and rescued animals show we took a short walk to the show featuring the timberwolves. That was a huge hit. We arrived well before the show started and when there was nobody else around we climbed the lookout area where you are allowed to observe the wolf pack. The Wolves I was concerned we might not see any wolves being active. It was a hot and muggy day, but we spied about seven before the crowd showed up and the area got really busy. Keep an eye out for adorable wolf pups. So Natural There are many things I admired about Parc Omega, but another one is the design of the space. It is simply brilliant. Everything is built with natural materials. The wood structures make the space look like it is completely harmonious with the property and the animals themselves. An Unconventional Perspective Where there is opportunity to climb an observation lookout structure, do so because it often puts you at eye level with the animals, which is amazing. The kids loved that. You are not looking in through cages or barriers, but inside the environment itself watching from a safe space. After the shows, we took a hike through the forest to the other side, which is clearly marked as a petting zoo kind of area. My youngest found a kitten inside the barn. I was a bit concerned they’d both try to sneak it home. There were also many kids (baby goats) which were sweet as could be. There are horses and also a beautiful garden past the barn. Tip: Wear the Comfy Shoes. There will be a fair bit of walking. This is the point where I need to mention that there is also a wagon ride to get to the petting zoo area. But we like to exercise and keep the kids moving, so we walked as many places as possible. What Could Be More Canadian? Back to the van for the last couple of areas in the park. First stop. Moose. Now I can honestly say there were a few animals on my list of things I NEEDED to see. I had a short checklist and the top of it was a moose. I have never seen a moose in all my life and I am Canadian so I was pretty happy to spy this guy. We had much debate about antlers at that point and pretty sure we did not resolve it, but that’s for another day. Moose are impressive creatures. There was a mountainous area with Alpine Ibex (shown below) and they were pretty friendly. They’d approach the van looking for food. So we each had a chance to take snapshots of these guys. Again, I really loved that each particular animal was in a space that looked authentic. These Ibex were climbing rocky mountains. Bear Valley Last on my list – well everyone’s list for the day at Parc Omega – was Bear Valley. I was hanging onto the edge of my seat hoping like mad that we’d be able to spy some bears before we left. We have never seen bears up close, and that’s a good thing, but this day was magical. We saw several bear families running around and saw their homes too. BUT, I didn’t really get any stunning shots to write home about kind of thing until right before the exit – this guy. That bear and moose made my bucket list complete. I captured some decent pictures and we loved the day we spent at Parc Omega. I assumed we were completely finished at that point because we were exhausted, but my husband still wanted to check out Trout Lake and The First Nations Area. Hiking Trails, Totem Poles The totem poles and carvings were incredible and there were more deer of course. In this area you will find more hiking trails and a spot where you can feed the fish, or feed the deer. It is very picturesque for photos. Parc Omega is a gem. It is a must see spot for families and it is highly educational plus the design and perspective is truly unique. Parc Omega Stats: Parc Omega is about 80 kms north of Ottawa-Gatineau area. It is about 110 kms to Montreal and 80 kms to Mont Tremblant. The park is affordable, educational, very family friendly and open year round. There are many opportunities to camp on site. There are three prospector tents, three Witents (circular shelters that combine the best features of a yurt, teepee and igloo), a cabin on stilts, two log cabins and ten teepees. We were guests of Tourisme Outaouais while in Montebello and Gatineau and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire visit. My opinion is always truthful.

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PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo – Imagination Station

Paula — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 13:57:03 +0000

Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. The PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo is a great play set for younger kids. With a durable construction and design, fun animals, and the classic PLAYMOBIL styling, the PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo brings animal adventure to kids. My family loves this brand and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo – Everyone Loves the Zoo! This Zoo playset has become a fast favorite of my kids and their little cousins. Although my kids are older, two of their little cousins are 5 and just under 8, so this set is perfect for them. And since it requires a bit of assembly, the City Life Zoo is a perfect play set to bridge the gap between my kids and their younger cousins. They enjoy setting it up for the younger kids, and the kids have fun playing with the set and their older cousins. Plus they enjoy coming to our house because we always have the latest Barbie toys, a huge dress bin, and the latest Playmobil toys too. PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo Description Have a roaring good time at the PLAYMOBIL Large City Zoo. This family-friendly destination features exotic animals from around the world. Enter through the rocky arch topped with decorative animal cut-outs. Once through the turnstiles, be sure to check out the animals feeding schedule. The pen- guin habitat is a must-see for bird lovers, as adult and baby penguins waddle around, while a curious pelican watches from the rock wall. Head to the souvenir shop to buy a stuffed animal or a penguin balloon, before checking out to the lion enclosure. These fierce mammals love gnawing on bones and roaring at passersby. Set includes seven figures, two adult lions and one cub, two adult penguins and four baby penguins, peacock, fish with bucket, wheelbarrow with meat, child stroller, mouse, postcards, cash register, camera, fencing, and lots of other accessories. If the PLAYMOBIL description sounds like they’re describing a real zoo, there’s a reason for that. It’s that immersive. When the younger kids come to town, we can hear them talking to my kids like they’re all really at the zoo. It’s so nice to hear them playing together so well and knowing that my kids are also having fun with the younger ones too. I have mentioned this before, but when people come to visit we always spend a huge chunk of time in our pool. But it’s nice to have some toys that will bring kids indoors for a break from the sun, or even the rain. And honestly who doesn’t love a zoo? Every child I know loves going to the zoo. You can add to these sets as well! PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo – Tons of Fun My kids and their cousins have a blast with the PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo set. It has everything the little ones love in a play set. Since my kids set it up for them, it’s great bonding time for everyone. The PLAYMOBIL City Life Zoo is durable, colorful, and most, importantly, fun. If you have younger kids, I highly encourage you to check it out. It’s been a hit here. For more Playmobil reviews see this post on the last Activity Treehouse set we received and enjoyed. Check Out the Treehouse we loved here: Order now for a great kid’s birthday gift. [tweetthis]This Playmobil set would be a hit for any birthday party – #affiliate http://amzn.to/2aJ0qYP[/tweetthis] BUY NOW – > EASY gift for a birthday or Christmas recommended for ages 3 and up. The Take along school would be perfect for getting them ready to go back to school. I received this playset for consideration here on this site. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. This post contains some affiliate links.

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Amazing Hummingbird Facts

Paula — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 06:56:41 +0000

Hummingbird facts are remarkable when you begin reading them. Hummingbirds may be small, but they’re mighty. These little creatures are nature’s Energizer Bunnies. Read on for some interesting hummingbird facts that you probably didn’t know. Hummingbird Facts That Astound Hummingbirds are amazing creatures. These tiniest of birds have amazing strength when you think about it. What other winged creature can flap its wings so fast? What other winged creature can move so fast in relation to its size? These humming bird facts are nothing less than amazing. Tiny Acrobats One of the most amazing hummingbird facts is the way that they fly. Did you know that a hummingbird can flap its wings up to 80 times per second? In addition to that, they can fly from side to side, up and down, backwards, and even upside down. They can also hover. [tweetthis]One of the most amazing hummingbird facts is the way that they fly.[/tweetthis] Diet We all know that hummingbirds eat flower nectar, but they also eat tree sap, insects, and pollen. Their ultra high metabolism means that they have to eat a huge amount of food. Range Hummingbirds are only found in the Western Hemisphere. Their range is from southeastern Alaska to southern Chile. There are over 300 species. 12 of them spent the summer in North America and then migrate to tropical climates in the winter. [tweetthis]DYK there are over 300 species of hummingbirds. [/tweetthis] Other Interesting Hummingbird Facts Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. A hummingbird has the largest proportional brain in the bird kingdom. Their brains make up 4.2% of their body weight. Hummingbirds are super smart. They remember every flower they’ve visited and how long it takes for those flowers to refill. They can hear better than humans. They can see ultraviolet light. They have almost no sense of smell. A hummingbird heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute. A hummingbird’s metabolism is approximately 100 times that of an elephant. Hummingbirds have feet so weak that they can barely walk. Most hummingbirds die in the first year of life, although they can live for over 10 years. Some hummingbirds migrate over 2,000 miles twice a year. Hummingbirds must eat an average of 7 time an hour for 30 to 60 seconds. They eat anywhere from 50% to 800% of their body weight. Hummingbirds go into a hibernation-like state when they sleep. Hummingbirds chirp, they don’t sing. Amazing Birds Hummingbirds are one of my favorite species of birds, and these hummingbird facts should illustrate why. These little birds are pure power packed into a teeny, tiny little package. They’re also cute as a button, and almost as tiny! I hope you enjoyed reading this hummingbird facts as much as I enjoyed bringing them to you!

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The Turtle Nesting Walk in Hobe Sound, Florida

Paula — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:16:57 +0000

It’s a sunny, humid, June morning. I kickstart my day by exploring Martin County, Florida on my own, at least until an afternoon rainy spell erupts. The highlight of my itinerary today is a turtle nesting walk in Hobe Sound. My ride, Nerissa, from the Martin County Tourism office, picks me up for dinner. I’ve been looking forward to this Turtle Nesting Walk from the moment I landed at Palm Beach International Airport. Hobe Sound, Martin County Florida Turtle Nesting Walk We take a leisurely drive through Jupiter Island, an extremely wealthy area of Martin County where celebrities, an ex-president’s family members, and athletes are known to have palatial homes that are well monitored and hidden behind high walls. It is an immaculate area, manicured and well maintained. We spy a cyclist or two getting some exercise. I can’t help but laugh over a couple of signs at the ends of driveways declaring these otherworldly retreats comical names that don’t match what’s hidden behind the trees and fences. My Shack. Beach Getaway. Summer cottage type names for houses that are mansions. Lining one of these meandering roads on Jupiter Island are Banyan trees that arch over to greet each other in the middle forming a picturesque canopy with a southern feel. They are beautiful but hard to capture in a moving car. We are on our way to Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, where two nights a week trained conservationists run a turtle nesting walk. In Hobe Sound, the nighttime sea turtle nesting walk is done on the public beach Thursday and Friday nights. There are also two other organizations in the area that do similar sea turtle nesting walks: the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Centre and Florida Power and Light. These tours are family friendly and very popular so book one as soon as you get there, or before you leave your home. You can find more details about these at: discovermartin.com [tweetthis]TRAVELER TIP: You should do these walks with conservationists trained to safely do sea turtle walks. #LOVEFL [/tweetthis] In Hobe Sound Turtle Nesting Walk – educational for the entire family We meet our group at 8 p.m. and are told these nights can be quite late. Be prepared to return home around midnight or potentially later. There have been some late nights recently, says the executive director of this non profit organization. Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge also offers day camps throughout the summer for children and the public can explore the trails during the day. There’s a small gift shop inside the main building. A few creatures and fish are inside small aquariums in a clean, well lit, space staffed with volunteers. If you spend much time in the region, you can buy a yearly membership to Hobe Sound and visit at your leisure. We move to a different building for a brief presentation and the executive director gives us a lesson on sea turtles in the Florida area along with some history of the breeds that have been endangered or threatened. Turtles weigh hundreds of pounds depending on what type and how old they are.. The nesting process is perilous and quite an ordeal. When female turtles are ready to nest they travel hundreds of miles, waiting until after dark to drag their huge bodies onto the shore where they dig a two foot deep hole or egg chamber and lay 100 to 150 eggs. They then cover them over, pat the sand down and camouflage their nests, erasing any immediate impressions of where they buried the eggs. Then the female turtles leave. Two months later the eggs hatch and the tiny new sea turtles make their way to the shoreline on their own. Night is the time when most sea turtles do their nesting. That is necessary in order to avoid predators and humans. [tweetthis]Of the 7 types of sea turtles found worldwide 5 can be found nesting on Florida beaches. #discovermartin #LOVEFL[/tweetthis] The five types of sea turtles that are common to these south east Florida beaches are: Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Green and Kemp’s Ridley, which is the smallest of the five. Adult sea turtles travel tens of thousands of miles. Most are migratory and despite having relatively small brains, will return to the precise beach where they were born to lay their eggs when they are old enough to lay. After the presentation ends, we gather near our cars and drive to a pavilion by Jupiter Island Beach where we wait for word from the turtle spotters watching the beach and shoreline for activity. Around 10 pm one of the turtle spotters, a volunteer and conservationist, uses a walkie talkie to indicate she has spied a loggerhead turtle on the beach looking for a nesting spot. About fifteen minutes later she has found the spot she will lay her eggs and started digging a hole. We walk slowly without any lights or phones. Bright lights can cause turtles to become disoriented and drop their eggs or flee to the ocean. Occasionally bright lights left on by homeowners or cottage owners can confuse the turtle’s sense of direction and they can end up on the road. That jeopardizes the species and the entire nesting process. A group of about 30 of us walks by the shoreline so we do not trip over or startle any other sea turtles that might suddenly appear. We range in ages from 5 up to about 75. There are a couple of multi-generational groups traveling together too. The nesting walk is a great activity for grandparents to do with the kids and grandkids. It is educational and affordable. Up ahead there’s a volunteer turtle spotter holding a red flashlight. The red light is allowed on the turtle nesting walk, but it is also not to be aimed anywhere near the turtle’s head. We spy the turtle. She’s a large loggerhead girl with several barnacles on her shell and she’s already laying. At this point she has already dropped about 50 rubbery eggs into the egg chamber in the sand. They drop in twos and threes sometimes and stay put there as she occasionally rests. We learn that when she lifts her back flippers that means eggs will drop again. The turtle spotter tells us that the eggs line her entire body right before she is about to lay them. Some eggs can take great effort to expel if they are up higher in her body. People are reminded to stay back from her head. We stand and crouch along her sides and back watching this incredible process. It is magnificent to watch something so large and prehistoric looking as she nests. Her job is a big one. The many species that lay their eggs here on the beaches off Florida are threatened. Every two weeks of this season the turtles here will lay. Because they are a threatened species these turtles are monitored, and conservationists like these ones report each time they spot a new nest, plus the type and location of the nest. That work will be done in the morning. About 1 in 30 nests are marked. If they marked every nest the beach would be nothing but turtle nest markers with no spots to sit. That’s how many nests there are this time of year. Sea turtle nesting season is March 1 to October 31st on the Atlantic side and May 1st to October 31st on the Gulf Side. This turtle is somewhere between 175 and 350 pounds. She is spectacular. [tweetthis]Never leave holes in sandy Martin County beaches. Sea Turtles can fall in & get hurt. #LOVEFL #discoverMartin[/tweetthis] This particular loggerhead is efficient, at least until we realize she has fallen asleep. The turtle spotter explains that these gals lay all summer every two weeks and she might have already done this several times this summer. The same volunteer gently wakes her back up without touching her. Then the turtle carefully and artfully camouflages her eggs. She spends a good 10 to 15 minutes just doing that, shifting her large shell and body sideways, and forwards and back, dragging herself so that she erases any indication she has been laying eggs here. It’s stunning how much effort she gives the process of hiding that egg chamber from predators. In about two months, these eggs will hatch and the babies will find their way to the ocean. That hatching often happens at night, but it’s possible people could be sitting on their lawn chairs or beach blankets right beside them when they suddenly hatch. Every volunteer has a story about being surprised by sudden sea turtle hatching and some have also seen the occasional turtle nesting in broad daylight. Baby loggerheads live their lives in the ocean and migrate miles and miles around the world. When small, they hang out for a few years in floating seaweed just off shore until old enough to swim in coastal waters. The mother turtles never meet their babies. When the hatchlings are grown up and ready to lay their eggs they will return to this same spot. This area of Martin County Florida has about five of the worlds seven types of sea turtles. About 90 % of them return to nest here. Traveler Tip: Bring Bug spray, wear long pants and long sleeves and bring a poncho if the weather looks like rain. Do not be skimpy with the bug spray. I covered my legs and sprayed a lot of bug spray on and my ankles are still itchy from the bug bites. This sea turtle nesting walk out of Hobe Sound was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had while traveling. I have always wanted to see this process. I once contemplated visiting Mexico to see hatchlings make their way to the sea, but then this trip to Martin County, Florida came about. This turtle nesting walk is an experience I will never forget. I recommend this as a multi-generational and education experience for the entire family. Kids need to be able to be calm during the beach portion of the nesting tour so this might be challenging for some. The night we did this there was a family of children that were captivated and really well behaved watching the process. The youngest looked to be about five. There were teens who needed to be reminded to stay off the beach prior to the walk however. So be sure your kids can handle the lateness, the waiting and the rules involved. My kids are 12 and 14 and they would have LOVED this. I would return another time to take them to see this. Traveler Tip: Do Not Use Flashlights on the beach or Flash photography. The light scares the turtles and sometimes means that the turtle will run back into the ocean or drop the eggs and run off. Also it can cause them to become disoriented. A few of the members of our group disappear right after they snap pictures. The bugs are heavy but we stay because this is a once in a lifetime kind of tour. As we watch the water wash over the massive turtle we start quietly back to our cars walking by the shoreline again. We get about 50 feet down the shoreline when the director warns us to stop. Our eyes are adjusting to the dark and we can just make out the shape of another huge loggerhead turtle creeping slowly out of the ocean and onto the sand. I look around wondering how many more will do this throughout the night. We pause and respect her right of way, making sure we all leap over the tracks or do our best not to trample them. This is a night I will not forget. I am astounded to have seen two of these creatures, known to have lived during the dinosaur age. It is even sweeter to have witnessed this on their terms, in their natural habitat. Sea Turtle Nesting Walk in Hobe Sound: The sea turtle nesting walk in Martin County, Florida is something everyone should experience. These tours are also available in Indian River County near Vero Beach. I was a guest of Martin County and Indian River County while in Florida and have been working with them to tell these stories. I have received perks, accommodations, tours, flights, meals and other compensation. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful.

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Dolphin Coloring Page Printable

Paula — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 05:16:59 +0000

Do your kids love dolphins as much as mine do? If so then here is a little something special for them. This dolphin coloring page can be easily printed out for them to color. Stay tuned for instructions. [tweetthis]A free dolphin coloring page printable will keep your kids busy for a few minutes anyways. ;)[/tweetthis] There’s simply something mysterious and magical about dolphins. My girls, from the time they were tiny, were captivated by dolphins. I remember our first trip to Marineland in Niagara Falls being quite an event for both girls. My older daughter loved seeing dolphins and whales up close. Even better though, recently she had a chance to swim with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta. Payton came with me on that trip to Mexico because it was a family travel blogger media trip and she was my guest. You can read more about that amazing family travel experience here. That was an event to remember. I highly recommend visiting the Dolphin Discovery venue and waterpark if ever you go to Puerto Vallarta. They had the best, cleanest and most humane dolphin adventure experience I have ever seen. Anyways if you want to give your children a free dolphin coloring page here’s how to do that. You can right click the image above and save it and then print it out. Or you can click the link below Dolphin Coloring Page. The link below is cleaner and should be a better image for you to print. Tell me if you use these coloring pages and printables here what else would you love to see? Maybe I can hunt that down for you. dolphin coloring page Related articles across the web Cruise lines continue Puerto Vallarta calls after cancellation due to violence The Sunday Traveler ~ Time By The Pool Memories of Mexico: Photo Series Southwest unveils prices of international flights from Houston

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Dolphin Kisses – Last June in Mexico #WordlessWednesday #travel

Paula — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:32:06 +0000

Last year we were lucky to attend a Puerto Vallarta, Mexico media trip together. Our family has travelled a few times since and this dolphin excursion that Payton and I went on in Puerto Vallarta remains one of the highlights of the last 5 years for my older daughter. I have seen numerous swim with dolphin excursions up close in the last year as we travelled. This one was the best, most humane, cleanest and best run dolphin excursions that I have ever seen. You can read my full travel story about Dolphin Discovery here in the travel section of Thrifty Momma’s Tips on line magazine. I highly recommend that if you ever visit Puerto Vallarta with kids you should book this side trip. I believe it to be one of the best dolphin excursions Mexico. Warning – once you do this dolphin experience you will not want to do them any more ever in any other country, on any other trip. This is a Wordless Wednesday. Feel free to link up and don’t forget to comment.

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