This is the time of year when nature swoons.. it’s all around; everything is green. Caterpillars and other larvae overwhelm the branches of host plants in a race to reach adulthood and lay eggs before being eaten by natural predators. Birds’ eggs hatch and chicks begin to fly; feeders and waterers teem with feathered frenzy. Children run and play through soft grass, soaking up sunrays before everything becomes harsh and brown and dry.
![Hackberry Emperor](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hackberry-Emperor-450x337.jpg)
Playing and learning combine as the children make some new discovery – a flower here, a caterpillar there. We like to look them up, learn their names, their benefits, their life cycle.
![Hackberry Emperor 2](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hackberry-Emperor-2.jpg)
We have several different websites we go to find the information that we seek. Today I want to share my top ten websites for learning about the nature around us:
2. North American Moths & Butterflies
3. Bug Guide
4. What Bird
7. Texas Wildflower Identification Index
8. Bird Jam (Learn the birds you hear.)
9.ย Snake Identification Guide (We don’t see too many of these!!)
10. eNature <– this is a new one for me!
What websites do YOU use?
For a time, until the ABC’s of Homeschooling returns on Tuesdays, I’ll be joining in Top Ten {Tuesdays} with Angie at Many Little Blessings.
I was hoping that today I would also be able to show you my decluttered and reorganized bookshelf that I shared last week. It’s only half done. And that camera that I bought last week?? I sent it back. Now I have to pick another one. So I’m sorry to say that y’all will have to bear with camera phone photos a little longer. (They’re better than the new camera photos – trust me!)
Can’t wait to check these sure out! My daughters would love them. ๐ have you already found a new camera? Or still on the hunt…
I’ve narrowed it down to two.. Trying to choose… One is only a little more than I spent before, but a Kodak, trusted name brand. The other is $30 more than that but the kind of camera I had before, a Casio Exilim (which I thought was great!) – only a 10MP instead of an 8MP. And I’m pretty sure the 2 batteries I still have from the old camera are compatible so I’d have two extra batteries. I’m debating… $68 Kodak? $99 Casio? I’m so indecisive… *chewing nails*
I will have to check out the websites that you recommend. I usually use field guides to identify plants, birds etc.
Thanks for these! Can’t wait to explore them. We’ve been getting outside more and the kids are so into finding bugs and identifying flowers. ๐ Our favorites are apps, not sites, and we especially love iBird Backyard. It includes the bird calls, pictures, facts, maps, etc.
Oh, you TEASE. I don’t have anything to use apps ON.. I guess I’m old fashioned with my laptop… =p
(Just kidding – I know you don’t tease on purpose. I think it would be really cool to have a tablet of some kind with nifty apps and such… Maybe someday…)
I forgot to mention that the site “All About Birds” (#5) has a live webcam on a nest of baby red-tailed hawks right now.. we watched the momma sit on the eggs, feed the newly hatched chicks, and now they’re all big and fluffy. TOO COOL.
LOL! Up till last year, we had no cool gadgets either. But we’ve got the Apple bug. ๐ We’ll check out the hawk cam!!