Although we're "off" for the summer, we are continuing with nature study in a very informal fashion. We tend to our little veggie garden , we've been watching our little coneflower seedling get bigger, and we're waiting to see if any of our sunflower seeds sprout. Kathryn helps out with weeding, and loves it when I let her help prune the flowers, especially the roses. The tomato plants are almost as tall as Kathryn now!
Our challenge this week was to look for pollen in flowers, and observe some pollinators in action. Click the "Outdoor Hour" button to read about this challenge (#18) and see who else participated. Finding pollinators was no problem at all! Our big lavender plants are literally humming with bees, and there are quite a few butterflies in our garden, as well. One of the very first nature journal entries Kathryn ever did was of a tiger swallowtail butterfly on a purple lantana plant last summer.
It was easy to find pollen around here, too! Within just a few minutes in the garden, we found it in our daylillies, petunias, sundrops, and roses. Look closely at the photos and you really can see the pollen in there! Click any photo to enlarge.
We stood near the lavender and observed the bees buzzing about happily. Gardening has helped us learn to appreciate bees. Kathryn has learned that we can walk right by the flowers and the bees pay us absolutely no attention because they are too busy to notice us. We've discussed how we wouldn't have all our pretty flowers without the bees; in fact, we wouldn't have fruit, or veggies, or lots of things without our pollinating friends!
Look closely, and you can see a whole bunch of honeybees on this lavender plant!
7 nifty note(s):
Hello there!
I just came over from your comment over at my blog...and what a great place you have here...I've done some poking around and I have to tell you how in awe I am of blended families who "make it work." A product of the 80's many of my friends came from blended families that didn't work...What a gift you are giving those kids!!
Having said that....what a great homeschool start you have! We set out on this journey 5 years ago....and WHEW....it's been the biggest blessing AND the most challenging endeavor I've pursued!! I wouldn't trade it for the world...we have a 13, 11 and 8 year old....moving into high school....
I see you are in Marietta....we are neighbors...literally....Acworth!:) SOOOOO, it's doubly nice to meetcha!!
AND you enjoyed the Shack too!;)
What a gift that man was given when he wrote that....I know what you mean by it all not being Biblically sound...but it did give me such pause about the "relationship" I want with my God and His Son and the Spirit who lives.....
Oh well, I've enjoyed the visit..and I saw you were on board at HOTM...welcome!! I co~own the Internet Cafe Devotionals with Amy Bayliss! I do a monthly article for HOTM too...so welcome there too!!!
It's been a blessing tonight!!
Thank you for that!!
peace,
lori
What lovely pictures and beautiful post. What a fun nature walk you two took. My hubby just started being a bee keeper about 7 weeks ago. He is out working on our hive now. We have lots of fruit trees that need pollinating. He is so excited about his bee family that we might get another hive soon.
Thanks for wishing my Lynell a happy birthday. I so enjoy having you stop by and say "hello".
Have a good day. Love, Lura
Beautiful photos of the flowers...our lavender "hums" too. :)
I love your nature journal entry.
Thanks for sharing your link,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Oh, I love the smell of Lavendar. It sounds like such a relaxing day. Wish I was there in my lounge chair and sipping tea. :)
Lovely Post. What beautiful flowers and great journal entry as well!
Nice nature journal entry!
We have pleny of dragonflies here, but I don't see too many bees, lately.
Love the nature journal entry! We've been noticing pollen and pollinators around here lately, too. :)
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