Have you been here before? Cedar Breaks NM. Photo via Flickr.
Here are the 3 best Rocky Mountain National Monuments that you should definitely visit this summer. The good days of spring and summer are coming, make sure you get outside to enjoy the Rockies. Continue reading
Have you ever had this awful rash? Photo via Flickr.
It is crucial to be able to identify poison ivy because it can turn a fun trip into a very miserable experience. Here are 5 steps to help you identify this bothersome and irritating plant. Continue reading
Try not to get too wet! Photo via Flickr.
Hiking in the rain can be a memorable and fun experience if done right. These tips will help make sure you get the most out of your hike in the rain. Continue reading
How long does this house fly live?
Have you ever wondered how long an ordinary house fly lives? Surprisingly, at least to me, is that a house fly lives on average 30 days and even up to 60! Continue reading
Many, but not all animals give birth in spring. Growing up I thought that spring was when baby animals were born, but now I know that is not true for all animals. Continue reading
Look at those wings…cool.
Here are 5 dragonfly facts that will reveal to you how truly special these flying invertebrates (insects) are. This common bug of the Rocky Mountains possesses some unique skills.
I love seeing dragonflies flying around whenever I am up in the mountains. Sometimes I see them skimming along the shoreline as I am at a lake fishing or skipping rocks. Other times I notice them in unusual places that are far from water. I find them mesmerizing as they zoom around through the air. I hope that after you read these facts you will truly appreciate what special flyers they are.
5 Dragonfly FactsThis is an aquatic insect similar to a mayfly or caddisfly. This means that it lives part of its life underwater as a nymph or larva and then part of its life as a winged insect. Just to remind you – this happens because it undergoes metamorphosis.
The number one, coolest thing about a dragonfly has to be how it flies. This winged insect has two sets of wings that can operate independently of each other. This structure means that it can fly in any direction it chooses. It can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, or any which way! It is able to stop and change direction in midair.
This bug not only looks cool, but it is a tremendous predator. When you see a dragonfly flying all around the air it is doing that for a reason. It is looking for and eating food. It catches and eats other bugs while flying in the air. They eat a lot of mosquitoes, black flies, and other small insects.
Look at those giant compound eyes.
Dragonflies have compound eyes. These eyes help them to see and pick up motion, which is important for them since they are trying to catch and eat flying insects. In fact, dragonflies compound eyes are huge for their head and are made up of an enormous number of ‘tiny eyes’.
Interesting fact – dragonflies make up one of two major groups within the order of dragonflies within the class of insects. The other major group within this order is damselflies. They look very similar, but are different. You can read this other post to remind you about how life is ordered to clarify the class, and order.
A Clark’s Nutcracker has a great memory.
One of the birds with possibly the best memory is a common bird found in the Rocky Mountains – the Clark’s Nutcracker. This unassuming bird can often be seen around campgrounds and has an incredible memory. Continue reading
Delicate Arch is iconic and one of the best hikes for families.
The 8 best Utah family hikes have everything you could ask for. There are mountains, rivers, lakes, and of course the red rocks of Southern Utah. Continue reading
The middle of summer in Glacier National Park.
These 6 Rocky Mountain National Parks, in my opinion, are some of the most amazing national parks and wild places in all of the United States. You need to get out and visit them now for your chance to see wildlife, mountains, and beautiful landscapes. Continue reading
It is spring time, which means that tree buds are beginning to open up and leaves are growing. Here are 4 facts about those buds on the trees that have in fact been there all winter long. Continue reading