In all of the time I have spent in the Rocky Mountains running around with my owners I have noticed one thing that all parents could do to make their kids really enjoy the outdoors. It is not being an expert in plants or mammals. It does not involve wearing the latest high tech shoes and jackets. It does not mean being in super shape so that you can run twenty miles. Continue reading
outdoors
How do Birds Stay Warm in Winter?
It is cold outside during winter in the Rocky Mountains and before my owner takes me outside for a walk he always grabs a nice, warm coat. That coat keeps him warm during the cold temperatures. Luckily for me I don’t need to put on a coat since I am already wearing a nice coat of fur.
I wonder how other animals stay warm during winter? What about birds? I know that in the fall there are a lot of birds that go south for winter – so their strategy to stay warm is to migrate. But, not all birds migrate. How do those birds that stay in the Rocky Mountains during winter stay warm? Here is a fun nature fact for you. Continue reading
What is the Rock Cycle?
At their core the Rocky Mountains are made up of rocks. The very name of the Rocky Mountains tells you how important rocks are to the area. If you go for exploring, you will always come across rocks of some kind.
Think of the cliff faces, big boulders, and the many rocks along rivers. They are everywhere and it seems that rocks are these super solid objects. But, as difficult as it may be to believe, rocks are actually always changing. Continue reading
Get Your Kids Outside!
This blog of mine is all about helping children and parents have fun in the Rocky Mountains. I have been explaining all kinds of interesting things about the natural world in the Rocky Mountains because I think it is important for people and especially children to have a better appreciation and wonder of the world around them.
Remember though that all this information you can read about should not serve as a replacement for actually spending time outdoors. Parents can read or talk to your children about mammals, about the difference between a bird nest and bird roost, or common fish of the Rockies. But, nothing, yes absolutely nothing, can replace spending time outdoors exploring with your child. Continue reading
Where are the Fish in Winter?
Snow covered Rocky Mountains in winter
Last week I went for a walk in the Rocky Mountains on a snowy trail that wandered through some evergreen trees and ended up at an ice covered lake. The ice was thick enough for me to run on, although it was hard because every time I tried to slow down or turn I slipped and fell down.
The funny thing is, I remember hiking to that same lake in the Rockies during the summer and watching my owner catch fish. He must have caught ten trout in that lake and a couple more in the stream that leaves the lake on the way up the valley. But, now I see nothing except ice and snow.
It makes me wonder where are all of the fish? Here comes another fun nature fact. Continue reading
How do Plants Survive the Winter?
All forms of life do something in order to survive winter in the Rocky Mountains – many animals choose to migrate, hibernate, or adapt. Trees can’t migrate, so they drop all their leaves and go dormant, which is similar to hibernating.
But, what about all the other plants that are in the landscape – mainly what happens to those beautiful meadows of wildflowers? Continue reading
Why is the Sky Blue?
That is a good question.
At some point in everybody’s life they probably asked themselves or someone else that question. How come the sky isn’t red, or yellow? Or even white? Continue reading
Hello World!
Welcome to my blog on the natural world of the Rocky Mountains!
I love exploring the Rocky Mountains with kids, parents, and friends. I think the Rocky Mountains are amazing and are filled with beautiful and fascinating plants and animals. It seems like every time I head out to the mountains I come across or see something that stops me in my tracks and captivates me. Continue reading
Hiking With Kids – Have Fun and Smell the Flowers
I love hiking, especially in the Rocky Mountains. Prior to my owners having kids and being parents I loved to spend the day wandering in the mountains, pushing my body to its limit to see how far I could go and what I could see. A ten-mile round trip hike was a nice way to spend the day.
As I have learned, hiking with kids is not the same as hiking with just adults. With adults, a hike tends to be focused on getting to a distant goal, such as a mountain peak or lake. In contrast, with kids it is all about the journey and not the destination.
Change Your Mindset – Go Slow and Enjoy the Journey Continue reading