A whole season to explore the natural wonders of Northeastern Pennsylvania

When I first laid my eyes on a hummingbird moth (above left) I felt as if I had finally found the fairy I had been looking for since I was a child. To this day, it is a creature I don’t want to know more about - I want it to stay just as ethereal and mysterious as the day when I first experienced its wonder.

The most elaborate special effects fantasy movie is just a pale imitation of what its writer has seen around himself, using broad jumps of reality called ‘magic’ to make it easier to impress the viewers. Nature does incredible things all the time - and it’s not magic. Every amazing feat, every transformation, is for real.

Whether it is a falcon diving at 215 miles an hour and striking a moving target from hundreds of feet in the air, an owl who can hear in three dimension to capture prey that cannot be seen, or a caterpillar rearranging its molecules within a cocoon to become a butterfly. This is the stuff that will leave an impression on us that, once learned, will never lose its impact. These are elaborate creatures surviving in their own unique way in a world filled with equal parts of bounty and danger.

How can we learn more about this world? A quick way to become interested in the natural world is to visit one of the many nature centers in our state. Festivals and special activities abound at these centers so there is always something to do!

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center knows how to get children interested in the natural world around them. She started by telling us that the most imp ortant thing is to get children outside.

“It doesn’t have to be this big involved lecture or activity - just get them outside! Whether it is a long walk down a nature trail, a demonstration at a nature center, or just lying in the front yard, finding shapes in the clouds. Anytime outside will build your children’s appreciation for the natural world and give them other great benefits as well.”

“For a great time learning about nature with your children, plan an activity!”

MARKER COUNTING: “Younger children can count the markers on a nature trail.” They will just naturally have a great time on the trail, and find lots of interesting things on their own, but the markers will give them a point of reference and a sense of accomplishment.

PAINT CHIP GAME: Collect paint chips, put them in a bag, pull one out and try to find the color in the forest. You would be surprised how many colors you can find! Turn over a rock and look for a colorful beetle, find a small flower, or a color on a stem.”

SCAVENGER HUNT: “Put together a list of things they can find along the trail and have a scavenger hunt for the items. Instead of actually taking the items, circle the ones on the list or draw them.” Rebecca’s last bit of advice? “If parents do the activity with them, the children will have more fun and really get into it if they see you doing it too!”

You can find more activities and information at: www.audubon.org (click on “Audubon at Home”)

You can make your own yard an important habitat! Visit: www.nwf.org/backyard to find out how!

Other terrific sites:
www.birds.cornell.edu
www.nature.org
www.nabluebirdsociety.org