Category: Nature
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Wordless Wednesday – Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
A beautiful butterfly seen at the Environmental Nature Center Spring Faire and Butterfly House Opening
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Wordless Wednesday – Stop and see nature
The other day Dylan and I were walking through a parking lot and I noticed some beautiful yellow hibiscus flowers. I walked over to take a picture and noticed something amazing.
There were hundreds of ladybugs and other insects, which I do not know the name of, crawling all over the leaves and stems of the hibiscus plant. We ended up standing there for almost 15 minutes just watching. It was fascinating!
Some people say stop and smell the roses – I say stop and see nature.
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3 simple ways you can help save animals & raise awareness
Over the years, I have spent hundreds of dollars making donations to various non-profit groups and organizations hoping to make some sort of difference. I went from making the minimum donation of $15 to several places, to now being more specific as to where I donate my money – but that’s another post. My point is that one person can make a difference and you don’t need to spend tons of money doing it.
Awareness is one of the biggest hurdles faced in animal conservation. Today I am sharing three simple ways that you can raise awareness and help save animals for only a few dollars.
Even though many of us pay our bills online, there are still times that we need to mail something the old-fashioned way. The next time you buy stamps, ask for the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp. (cost is 55 cents)
This is a first-class postage stamp and all proceeds over the current cost of a first-class stamp go directly to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Fund.
For more information on what conservation funds are supported by this stamp visit the US Postal Service website.
Do you love having a unique screen lock picture and wallpaper on your iPhone or iPad? Do you admire great animal photographers? If you said yes, then this next one is definitely for you.
In November 2011, the San Diego Zoo released the officially licensed digital skins through the iTunes store. For only $1.99 you can purchase this app and have some beautiful wallpapers and images on your phone. The app also includes app frames and shelves.Here are some screen shots from my phone –
This is a wonderful way to support the San Diego Zoo and show your love for animals – and I can promise the pictures will being a smile to your face too.
Another great way to support animal conservation and raise awareness is to follow your favorite organization on Facebook and Twitter. By simply sharing a post or re-tweeting something you find interesting may catch the attention of someone and before you know it a domino effect is in place.
A few of my favorites organizations that I personally support through membership or direct donations are listed in the right side column of the blog. Looking for some organizations to follow? Take a peek at the pages we support on Facebook or who we follow on twitter. Find your passion – whether it be wildlife, parks, or the oceans and start doing what you can to help.
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park in pictures
A few of my favorite pictures from our trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park earlier this month.
I love the reflection in the water 
The view from Condor Ridge is breathtaking 
Just look at the wingspan! 
Staying cool in the shade 
Happiness is touching a gorillas hand 
Bats – Cute or creepy? I haven’t decided yet. 
Under the watchful eye of Mom 
I think it’s nap time 
Sleeping cheetah This has got to be one of my favorite Dylan shots – Hamming it up for the camera.
I must save the jeep so I can protect the animals! Sometimes pictures say more than words and these beautiful animals make wonderful subjects.
The pictures may speak volumes, but the animals can’t speak and they need your help. Get involved with wildlife conservancy and help bring species back from the brink of extinction. -
I planted a tree … My tree
If you have children, then you probably know about the little seedling that comes home from school in 3rd grade in honor of Arbor Day. Well, 34 years ago I brought home one of those little seedlings and cared for it until it grew big enough to put in a real pot. Then my Dad transplanted it into a larger pot – a big wooden crate one if I remember correctly. With a little water, sunlight, and love my tree continued to grow.
My tree grew so big that when I was in the 8th grade it was time to transplant it again. This time we planted it in the earth – where it would grow and thrive.My tree has provided oxygen to the planet. A home for squirrels and birds. Shade for the plants growing beneath it. Even more than the wonderful things my tree did for the environment, my tree was something that I could watch grow year after year. My tree provided a great story for people who came to the house.
My parents recently decided to sell their home. No reason to have a huge 5 bedroom house when all the kids have moved out, so they are downsizing. Aside from the memories of my childhood home, I can’t help but wonder, what will happen to my tree? Will the new owners keep the tree or will they, it hurts to even say it, cut it down? It’s way to big now to transplant.
I cannot control what happens to my tree anymore, but I can start a new tree with the seedling my son brought home a few weeks ago. I can start making new memories. Start nurturing a new home for animals.
If your child didn’t bring home a tree, that’s all right. Go to your local nursery or nature center and buy a seedling of your own. Nurture it, water it, and love it. Plant your seedling and watch it grow.
Who knows, maybe one day your tree will grow to be as big as my tree – or maybe even bigger.
This picture was taken from the street to show the size of the tree in comparison to the 2-story house. Tomorrow is Earth Day and I urge you to plant a tree.
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Blue Whale Trip with Aquarium of the Pacific aboard Harbor Breeze Cruises
Dylan and I recently had the opportunity to join Aquarium of the Pacific on a special Blue Whale Trip with world-renowned Blue Whale expert, John Calambokidis aboard Harbor Breeze Cruises. This was not an ordinary whale watching trip. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that required me missing work and Dylan missing school.
Anyone who knows Dylan, or reads this blog, knows how much he loves animals and learning about how to save the planet – one animal at a time.
Me, well I’m partial to marine animals. Specifically dolphins and whales. Many people don’t know this, but many moons ago I majored in Marine Biology. Yes, this was my first choice of study … until I realized how much math and science were involved, which have never been my strong point.So tell me, how many people can say that they have seen a Blue Whale, the world’s largest animal, up close and in person … swimming wild and free in the ocean?
Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific, Kera Mathes Well, you can add two more people to whatever that number may be because Dylan and I saw not one Blue Whale, but four Blue Whales!
The weather wasn’t looking good – it was pouring down rain! By the time we arrived the rain and slowed to a light mist and things were looking good. Nothing was going to stop us from this adventure. -
The Nature of Disneyland
For most people, including myself, the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word Disneyland is Mickey Mouse. Then we think about the rides, and the popcorn, the parades, and of course the childhood memories that have now become adult memories made with our own children.
On a recent visit to Disneyland I sort of zoned out and looked around me.
Not at the people, or the rides, but at the beauty that is Walt Disney… the Nature of Disneyland.
Life with Dylan 