Science Saturday: Chipmunks, Daddy Longlegs and Frost!

(My Dad took this picture the other day!)

Marvelous, mildly-mediocre, interesting facts:

• Chipmunks are different from Squirrels by the mere fact that they live underground while Squirrels live in trees. They usually make burrows near logs, stumps, or boulders.
• A Chipmunk's burrow is more than a place to hide. They make chambers for food storage, sleeping chamber, and an exit tunnel. If it's a female, she would also make herself a nesting chamber.
• They do hibernate some, but they also need to eat through out the winter. This is when the food storage chambers come into play. They can easily access them so that they can eat when they need to.
• Daddy Longlegs are not spiders, but they are part of the Arachnid family. Spiders have 2 distinct sections of their body (the cephalothorax and the abdomen) while Daddy Longlegs have one section (the cephalothorax and abdomen are combined).
• Daddy Longlegs do not have silk glands for spinning webs. They also don't have poison glands for paralyzing prey. Daddy Longlegs do have a unique gland that emits an offensive smell to their predators.
• Their legs aren't just for moving, they are also important sensory equipment. They can be used to sense the surroundings. If anything happens to the second pair of legs, the Daddy Longlegs will most likely die within a short time.
• Frost is a turning point in the fall. It kills the vulnerable plants as the temperature drops below 32* F. 
• You may think of frost as frozen dew, but in reality frost is more crystal-like, an akin to snow.
• Frost occurs when it's a clear night and the temperature drops below 32* F. The vapor in the air freezes into what we know as frost.

Science Saturday: Ladybugs, Blueberries and Rainbows

A few mediocre things that may spark your interest: 

• Ladybugs are very helpful with pest control in orchards and fields. 30,000 Ladybugs can protect 10 acres of produce.
• Ladybugs are one of the most recognizable insects to children.
• Ladybugs have a high birthrate, and a high survival rate which is surprising. They are a bright red to tell predators that they don't taste good. If that doesn't work, they play dead. If that doesn't work they emit a foul smelling fluid and then they are (usually) safe.
• Blueberries are native to North America. They thrive just about anywhere.
• There are many types of Blueberries. If they are cross pollinated (which often occurs) then they produce small berries at a later time.
• Many birds including grouse, scarlet tanagers, bluebirds, robins, and thrushes enjoy them. Bears, foxes, raccoons, skunks, deer, rabbits, chipmunks and mice also enjoy the tasty berries!
• The basic components for rainbows are water and rain. Most often they are seen after a storm.
• You can make your own rainbows with a water hose if the sun is low enough in the sky. Takes a bit of experimenting though.
• Rainbows are beautiful! I've seen quite a few partial ones, a few full ones, and few times I've seen full double ones! Those ones are REALLY cool!!!! :~D

Beautiful Blog Award!

The lovely Julia awarded me the Beautiful Blog Award!

 (A picture for no reason in particular ;~)

She gave me a few fun questions!

1. What makes a good book "good"?

When a book makes you laugh, cry, and want to squeeze a pillow all at once, then it's a good book!

2. What are three of your talents?

Dancing, singing, and teaching!

3. What's your favorite girl's name?

I like the names Cheryl, Lynn, Rose, Rosalinda, etc.! :~)

4. Boy's name?

Hmmm.....I like names that start with E-L-I.....

5. What books have made you cry?

Usually true stories in which one person overcomes obstacles and becomes stronger in the end.

6. What's your favorite Bible verse?

Probably.....Isaiah 64:8 :~)

7. Favorite prayer?

I memorized Ephesians 3:14-21 a while back. I encourage you to read this prayer, written by Paul to the Church in Ephesus!

I nominate anyone who would like to do this! :~) If you would like to write up a post and pass on the award, just comment a link to your lovely post!

Here are a few questions for you to do!

1. Favorite Author?

2. Favorite Bible Verse?

3. Favorite Cookie?

4. Favorite Dance Move?

5. Favorite European Country?

6. Favorite Friend?

7. Favorite Good Memory?

Science Saturday: Daisies, Fireflies and Viceroys, oh my!

Over the course of the year, I'll be reading through The Beginning Naturalist by Gale Lawrence and A Field Guide to the Familiar also by Gale Lawrence.

This past week I read about Fireflies, the difference between Black-eyed Susans and Daisies, and (impostor Monarch Butterflies) Viceroys. 

A few interesting things I learned: 

• Fireflies are not flies.....they are beetles. 
• The fireflies that fly are males. Most species of female fireflies can not fly.
• The light they produce has no heat. Scientists want to try to develop a light of similar properties. 
• Black-eyed Susans and Daisies are not related. 
• Daisies are from Europe and Asia, while Black-eyed Susans came from Western USA. 
• Black-eyed Susans are biennials, while Daisies are perennials.
• Viceroys survive well because they are almost identical to Monarch Butterflies which tend to poisonous. 
• They stay in the area in which they are born, they do not migrate like Monarchs. 
• Their eggs camouflage well on tips of leaves.