Maine Wildlife Park

Today we headed off to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. We were scheduled to have a class on Owls and Owl Pellets. Well, most of you know our love for birds so Owls were right up our alley. Sarah was so excited to see some real owls. She wasn't sure about dissecting an owl pellet, but she would give it a try.

We arrived to a parking lot full, I mean full, of school buses and cars. I was actually worried that the rest of our group wouldn't find parking spaces. There were 50 homeschool students signed up for the class! Luckily everyone made it.

The class was great! The instructor really interacted with the kids on their level. She showed us many species of owls native to Maine. We also learned about the different habitats owls live in as well as their unique adaptations. She did a wonderful job explaining what owl pellets are and put every one's mind at ease about dissecting one.

Sarah started off timidly with a tooth pick, trying to break apart the pellet and find all the small bones. Everyone received a couple of owl pellets from the owls kept at the Wildlife Park. The owls at the park are fed mice so we knew what we were looking for. There was even a sheet to match the bones you found in order to identify them. Sometimes you might find bones from an unlucky chipmunk that wondered into the owl enclosure. No such luck for us.

By the end, Sarah was really into it sorting through everything with her fingers. It was cool to find all the tiny bones, especially a skull and the bottom jaw. The bottom jaw is cool because you can pull the tooth out of the jaw. It's as if it grows. This enables the mice to "grow" more tooth as it wears down during his life.

Everyone busy at work.

Logan and Rebekah really liked the mounted owls. Rebekah was quite confused that they were real, not stuffed animals, yet they didn't move or hoot. Try explaining to a 3yo why someone would stuff real animals. You can imagine the questions. How did it die? What's it stuffed with? What happened to the insides? Can I sleep with it?

Luckily she got bored with stuffed owls and found a cool tree to play in instead.

After class we had a picnic lunch and then we were off to explore the park and see all the animals that call the Wildlife Park home.

Of course we started with the bird area. Sarah had to see those "real" owls. Unfortunately, it was hard to photograph the animals due to the fencing. This albino peacock was really splendid. So even though the fence is annoying, I thought I would share. There were lots of chipmunk running in and out of the peacock enclosure. And if they got to close to a male peacock they would show their beautiful feathers for us.

The turtle pond was a big hit with everyone. No annoying fenced enclosure here. We could see the turtle, lots of turtles, really well. These three guys were catching some rays on this log. When we walked along the pond we were surprised to see a tiny turtle sitting on the log in front of them. This little guy wasn't much bigger than a silver dollar. Really cool.

The woodchucks posed for us. They look so cute until you see their teeth, and then I'm not so sure I would want to snuggle with one of these fellows.

Rebekah loved the moose. I think she would have stayed there all day. Funny, thing is we see these at home quite often. I guess it is the familiarity.

This game in the fox hut had everyone wanting to play. It was great to watch the big ones help the little ones figure out where all the pieces went. Logan wants one for her birthday. She told me here mom could make one with a million eighty pieces. You guys better get busy.

We saved the deer park for last. Rebekah couldn't wait to feed the deer. She was so careful not to spill her corn, not even one piece. Of course when we got to the fence, she wasn't able to throw it far enough, but she still had a great time.

The bunch of us feeding the deer.

A long but great day. I think their faces say it all. Tons of fun! Thanks to Christy for setting this up and thanks for the Jeddrey's for joining us.

Spring Birding

Spring has sprung and all our feathered friends have returned from their winter vacation down south. So a bunch of us headed into the bog to see what the feathered creatures are up to. It was a chilly start to the day at about 35 degrees, but it soon warmed up. A perfect day.

We were blessed to have two a Sarah's birding friends, Dixie and Lisa, join us. They are both such a wealth of information. Not to mention they brought the spotting scope and bird calls. The spotting scope brings the birds up close and personal, especially exciting for a new birder. At one point we had the scope on a Baltimore Oriel nest and saw the mama and papa flying in and out of it. Too cool! Thanks Dixie and Lisa!

Here is one of the many Oriels we saw. They are beautiful birds! The orange and black is so vibrant, especially this time of year when the male is trying to attract his mate.

This Yellow Warbler was nice enough to come out and pose for us.


We saw a lot of Eastern Kingbirds. This is a male with his black head and white tipped tail.


Above is a Warbling Vireo.

This Black and White Warbler followed us along the path. He was as interested in us as we were in him. He would sit on the branches right above our heads. I love his black and white markings. So striking and regal.

It was a great day! We spotted more that a dozen different species of birds and two active nests. There was also a painted turtle and snake spotted, alson with racoon and moose tracks. So much to see in the bog! We will be heading back over the weekend.

Fort Williams Park - Cape Elizabeth Maine

Our first trip to the coast this year! It was our first visit to Portland Head at Fort Williams State Park. I love light houses. The history is so rich, so alive, so American. The Portland Head Lighthouse was first lit January 10, 1791. The keepers house was occupied until 1989 when the lighthouse was finally automated. Now it is a fabulous park and museum.

The girls had such a wonderful time exploring the rocky shore. Bekah was thrilled with the shells and drift would she found.

Exploring with friends.

A little one not to sure about the approaching waves.

So much to see in all the little tiny pools.

A little bird watching. Sarah was pointing out all the different shore birds to Bekah. There were tons of gulls and eider ducks. They were lots of fun to watch.

Where will we head next? Which path will we take? Not knowing what lies a head is much of the fun. So with a tanks of gas, a picnic lunch, and the desire to explore we will head out again soon. Hope you'll stop back again to share our adventures. We will be having lots of them this months as we take part in 5 Orange Potatoes Children and Nature Awareness Month Challenge.

For the Birds

We woke this morning to single digit temps and gusting winds. The girls were concerned about all our feathered friends in the woods, so we decided to make them a treat. Peanut butter and pine cone feeders are nothing new, but they are fun and sticky to make.

Each child had their own sheet pan, bowl of peanut butter, ramekin of seed, pine cone and knife. The sheet pan greatly reduces the mess and helps keep it contained.

Rebekah had never made these and was very excited. In her usual style she was focused and precise. The peanut butter layer had to be just so.

And as for sprinkling the seeds, every inch of peanut butter had to be covered with all the different types of seed.

Hannah was a pro having done this before and finished her feeder before the rest of us had the peanut butter on.

The rolling technique worked well.


A quick run outside was all we could take. The mercury had only climbed to 9 degrees. But now we have some beautiful feeders on the tree across the drive. And we can watch our feathered friends from the window as we cuddle by the wood stove.

You can see more of our pine cone feeders over at Sarah's blog. And stop by The Magic Onions to see what others are doing to explore nature this time of year.

Winter Nature Table

Our Winter Nature Table is really a Nature Cubby. We have been trying to find a place for our nature table for a while now. Sarah came up with this cubby idea. I think it will work great. The cubby is in the kitchen by the door, so it will be easy for the kids to deposit their treasures. Plus everyone who visits is sure to see it.

Winter here in New Hampshire is white, white and more white, with a dab of brown, on occasion some blue, but mostly grey. I think the girls collection perfectly represents this peaceful and quite time of the year.

The girls had a wonderful time with some Stockmar Modelling Beeswax. Sarah sculpted the birds we have been seeing at the feeder. While Hannah made this adorable sledding snowman.

Check out some other fabulous nature tables, crafts, pictures and more at The Magic Onions' Friday's Nature Table.

David Sibley Book Signing

This past spring Sarah was introduced to bird watching. It instantly became her passion. She met some wonderful people. One of them was Dixie, who immediately took Sarah under her wing and taught her all about birding. She even gave Sarah her first field guide, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Sarah was so excited to learn that David Sibley was coming to Tin Mountain Conservation Center to promote his new book, The Sibley Guide to Trees. Of course we had to head over to hear Mr. Sibley and have him sign Sarah's field guide.

It was great for Sarah to meet another author, especially one who shares her passion. We learned a lot about how he writes and illustrates his guides. The bird guide took him 12 years to write and illustrate - the tree guide 7 years. All the illustrations in the guides are paintings done by Mr Sibley. The bird guide illustrations are water colors and the tree guides are painted with only three colors (blue, red, yellow) and white of acrylic paint. That is truly amazing!

Dixie and Lisa were there as well. They just got back from a bird watching trip to Africa. It was great to catch up with them and hear about all the exciting things they saw and did in Africa. We are looking forward to getting together and seeing all the pictures they took.

Exploring Lake Umbagog

Tin Mountain Conservation Center led a day long canoe trip to Lake Umbagog. We were so excited to get out in canoes again and hoping to see lots of wild life, especially birds.

We weren't disappointed. One the way up we spotted a cow moose with her baby munching on the shoots in the swamp. Unfortunately we weren't able to snap a picture. Next we stopped along the river to look at an awesome bald eagle's nest. It is huge! We were able to get a good look at it through binoculars but no pictures. There aren't any signs that it was a viable nest. Maybe next year.

Finally we made it to the boat launch. Our group, 5 canoes and 2 kayaks, headed up the river and into the lake. We spotted a couple of loons, found a loon nesting site, and spotted a small birds we hadn't seen before. Then as if on cue, we paddled around a bend in the river and there he was. A huge, beautiful bald eagle just waiting for us. It was an awesome site.

Doug snapped this picture as well as a bunch more of this majestic bird. All of us just floated in the river mesmerized by his presence. There is an active bald eagle's next on the lake. Unfortunately we didn't learn of its location until we were headed home. Hopefully, when we head back up in a couple of weeks we will be able to spot it.

Next we came across an osprey that could help showing off for us. He soared and dove searching for a few fish for his lunch.

To end the day, the girls pointed out this osprey nest they had seen a couple weeks before.

It was another great day exploring with Tin Mountain. If you live in the Mount Washington Valley I strongly suggest you check out all the great programs and events they offer. You wont regret it.

Backyard Birding

With the foliage out and birds brooding, our bird watching has moved to the back yard. Sarah had been hard at work on her bird garden, researching what types of feeders, bird baths, and such will attract her feathered friends.

Her hard work has paid off and we have had lots of wonderful visitors. This Indigo Bunting and his mate visit numerous times a day. We think they must have a nest close by and are looking forward to seeing fledgelings soon.

This little Red Breasted Nuthatch is a spunky fellow. He doesn't let anyone boss him around when he wants his turn at the feeder. And I love the way he can climb down a tree.

We have two pairs of American Gold Finches. The males are so bright yellow. This fellow was quite bold and sat right in the living room window. He also likes to perch on the antenna of the van.


This Cedar Wax Wing may look like a loaner, but in reality they are very social. One day we had ten of this birds in the top of this tree. They seem to come every afternoon to feed on the berries on the bushed at the foot of the tree. We have also seen them diving after insects. You can't really make it out in this picture, but they have the cutest little bandit masks.

Science Fair

The Homegrown Explorers Annual Science Fair was a huge success. There were 14 displays covering such topics as space, vision, earthquakes, volcanoes, baseball and clouds.

I am sure most of you have already guessed what Sarah's project was about. Yes you guessed it ornithology! This pictures was taken the night of the fair. Unfortunately my camera was messed up and it is out of focus.

This is a better picture of her display board. She put it on the wall in her room. I love the way she displayed the different kinds of feeders and used the tree as a attention grabber.

Hannah's project was on horses - her true love. She did a great job especially considering she started it just a few days before. (She originally wasn't going to participate.)

Rebekah had fun checking out all the displays. She especially like the Ian's model of the Solar System.