Connecting with Nature Blog

Oct 19, Subscribe to Free Your Nature Journal E-zine

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:44:46 GMT

Have monthly nature journaling prompts delivered to your email. Subscribe to the free nature ezine and keep on the late news.

Oct 14, Cats spoiling the birds fun?

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:02:59 GMT

Nancy from Connecticut wrote to Connecting with Nature wondering why the birds have shunned her feeders. Could it be cats? Read just how much damage these un-natural predators do in North America. Follow the link. I had this problem and removing the cats was the only solution. Yes, dear readers I trapped them and took them to the shelter. Very cheap canned tuna is a good lure. I was tried of cleaning up cat poop. And couldn't eat the vegetables I grew. If you have a cat, please consider how an outdoor cat is hurting the lives of others (cats, humans and other beings). For everyone's sake especially the cats, keep cats indoors. Thanks, Donna They had to go.

Sep 22, The Autumnal Equinox a great time for nature study

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:36:58 GMT

The autumnal equinox signals the change from warm and happy summer to crisp, cool nights. Here are some of the changes in nature as we move of season to season.

Jul 28, Nature Journal Keeping

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:11:33 GMT

By keeping a nature journal, we focus on learning to observe and connect with the living world around us.

Jul 21, Summer Nature Activities

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:36:55 GMT

A buffet of summer nature activities await you. Here is a list of things-to-do, with or without kids.

Jul 20, Nature Journal Prompts: Themes

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:07:53 GMT

These nature journal prompts are themes that can become a project for you for a few weeks to several years.

Jul 15, How walkable is your city?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:34:46 GMT

My hometown, Philadelphia, is a great place to walk. And many people here don't bother having a car. I can walk to the corner store and buy Ben & Jerry's. How cool is that? How walkable is your city or town? The website walkscore.com can tell you. Philadelphia scores a 100 out of 100, a walker's paradise! If your town isn't very walkable, why not take on making it more so as a community project. The walkscore.com as a page devoted to what makes a city walkable.

Jul 3, Free Bird House Plans

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:18:59 GMT

Here are free bird house plans for the handy person who would like to build nesting structures for their backyard habitat.H

Jul 3, Nature Study for Writing and Keeping a Journal

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:27:48 GMT

Nature Study is what gives writing and keeping a journal its depth and flavor.

Jun 24, Nature Almanac

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:20:31 GMT

This nature almanac links to moon phases, season dates, moon names and other interesting extras for nature writing and keeping a nature journal.

Jun 23, The Nature Journal

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:02:56 GMT

The Nature Journal is a valuable tool in learning and connecting with the natural world. Here is an overview of its possibilities.

Jun 17, Nature Writing

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:21:09 GMT

Nature writing is a great way to learn about the land that you live in.

Jun 15, Photo Contest Opportunity

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:58:55 GMT

Nature's Best Photography magazine and the National Audubon Society have joined together to create "Birds in Focus" photography contest for amateur, pros and kids. Follow the link for more info.

Jun 8, New Connecting with Nature coming!

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:41:01 GMT

I am hard at work renovating Connecting with Nature into a website focusing on nature writing and keeping a nature journal. Very little of the old pages will be deleted. You should still be able to find old information. The new CWN should be completed September 1, 2009. Best Regards, Donna

May 5, My Backyard Habitat

Tue, 05 May 2009 01:44:16 GMT

My Backyard Habit is convenient and soul satisfying. This photo gallery shows what a small urban yard can be.

Apr 14, Natural History Articles - About Animals

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:26:07 GMT

These natural history articles basic information about many of the animals we see in our neighborhoods.

Apr 2, What's my latitiude?

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:47:11 GMT

Do you need to know the latitude and longitude of a specific place to give your nature notes that scientific aroma? Try this free Geocoder on for size.

Apr 2, Nature in Spring is about movement and vibrant life

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:33:17 GMT

Nature in spring is a very exciting time. So, many things are happening. Spring begins on March 19, 20 or 21 with the equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a busy season for nature study.

Apr 2, South Carolina Low Country Nature Journaling

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:11:13 GMT

I have been following Pam Johnson Brickel's blog of her nature journal. Her drawing and words are pretty, happy and inspirational. Visit her website and check it out for yourself. Why not think about starting your own free online nature journal/blog with Blogger like Pam. I plan to this summer. If you do drop me a line so I can pass it on to CWN readers.

Mar 27, Get your hummingbird feeders ready.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:55:22 GMT

Hummingbirds are migrating and slowly moving north toward Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. They will probably arrive when the trees flower and the azaleas are in bloom. Use this nectar recipe to draw them into your habitat. They have been spot in southern Virginia this week. Use the link below to check the migration map to see where they have already been spotted.

Mar 26, Project BudBurst is starting up for 2009!

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:37:43 GMT

Project BudBurst is gearing up for the growing season. The Project is sponsored by the National Phenology Network For Citizen Scientists.

People like you and me make careful observations of the phenophases of plants. Phenology is the science of the appearance of certain biological events.

The dates of first leafing, flowering and fruit ripening of various trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses are entered into the Project website.

Mar 25, Red-tailed Hawks Nesting in Philly

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:05:48 GMT

A pair of red-tailed Hawks are nesting in downtown Philly at the Franklin Institute. Tune in to watch the live web cam. The chicks a due to start hatching April 6th. I like this refer to this book often on hawk life history. Use the following link to see view the hawk cam.

Feb 20, Best Books and Equipment for Nature Study

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:38:01 GMT

The Best books and equipment on nature for naturalists everywhere.

Feb 10, Gray Squirrels

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:55:52 GMT

Gray Squirrels add spunk and life to your backyard habitat. Here is how to attract them.

Feb 2, Imbolc - Cross Quarter Day - Spring starts

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:51:40 GMT

On February 3, 2009, Imbolc - Cross Quarter Day - Spring starts The cross quarter Days are days from the ancient Celtic calendar. They mark the start or end of a season according to the Celtics.

Jan 28, Equinoxes, Solstices and Cross-quarter Days

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:19:38 GMT

The equinoxes, solstices, and cross-quarter days of the Celtic calendar are valuable to our study of nature.

Jan 28, Moon Names

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:37:15 GMT

Moon names say more about the land we live in than the standard Georgian calendar names.

Jan 15, Share Your Best Plants for Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and More!

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:11:50 GMT

Share your best plants that attract bird and btterflies to garden and help people to preserve our world.

Jan 15, Zone 5 and higher...USA

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:08:44 GMT

'Tithonia Torch' Mexican Sunflower...it attracted oodles of butterflies and Hummingbirds for nectar and the Goldfinches loved the seeds! Make sure you

Jan 12, Eagles Nesting in Philadelphia

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:09:09 GMT

Two years ago Philly had the first Bald Eagles to nest in the city proper in the last two hundred years. Now there are three nests in the city. Follow the link to read all about it. Philadelphia Inquirer, Sat, Jan. 10, 2009

Jan 12, Project Budburst

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:48:47 GMT

If you would like a citizen science project for 2009, take a look at Project Budburst. The project gathers valuable environmental and climate change information from around the United States. Naturalists make careful observations of the phenological events such as first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening of a diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses in their local area. Simple, easy and informative, this may be a good project for you.

Jan 8, Digital Cameras for Nature Study

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:21:18 GMT

Digital cameras have these key features for nature study. Even a rank amateur can take good pictures.

Dec 22, Observing Leaf Litter

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:51:07 GMT

Decomposing leaf litter shows the cycle of life in action. Let's get on our hands and knees and explore the muck.

Dec 22, Identifying Humus

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:50:19 GMT

By identifying humus as either mor or mull, you can predict the organisms, plants and animals that would thrive in a habitat.

Dec 19, Winter Solstice - December 21st

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:46:28 GMT

This Sunday is the Winter Solstice. The winter season officially begins and spring is just around the corner. Read more about the solstice by following the link.

Dec 11, Full moon this Friday

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:21:32 GMT

On Fri Dec 12, 2008

Dec 11, Geminids Meteor Shower - Shooting Stars

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:21:32 GMT

On Sat Dec 13, 2008 Saturday will be the peak day of the Geminids Meteor Shower. The moon's phase will be a full moon. The bright light of the moon will make viewing prospects of the meteors poor.

Nov 11, Hunter's Moon

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:26:04 GMT

The Hunter's Moon will be this Thursday, November 13th. It is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon. Learn more about it by following the link.

Nov 11, Summer Solstice

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:04:24 GMT

The summer solstice marks the highest point in the sky for the sun.

Nov 11, Seasons of the Year

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:46:42 GMT

Eachof the seasons of the year has topics of nature study for many interests.

Nov 9, Use of Connecting-with-Nature.net Text and Photos

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:29:26 GMT

Use permissions for Connecting-with-Nature.net information and photos

Oct 23, TreeVitalize Expands in Pennsylvania

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:42:00 GMT

Building on the success of TreeVitalize in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching a statewide tree planting program in metropolitan areas, with a goal of planting one million trees over the next five years. Read more...