Summer may seem ages away for parents and children a like, but the time to sign up for summer camps at the Ogden Nature Center is now! If your children love wildlife, the outdoors, and exploring the world around them then the summer camps at the Nature Center are perfect for them. 

This summer the Ogden Nature Center is offering a variety of camps for ages 2-16 with volunteer opportunities for teenage camp assistants. There are week-long camps offered, single-day excursions, and a family camp-out. This is the perfect opportunity for your children to experience the great outdoors at the nature preserve.

Full Weeks Camps

There are four full-week adventure camps offered this summer, beginning in June and ending in August. Monday thru Wednesday camps will go from 8:30am - 3:30pm. On Thursday there will be an overnight program beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 8:00am Friday morning. 

The first of these camps will be the "Wildlife Detectives" (Ages 8 - 10) June 11th to the 15th. Where explorers will spend the week deciphering animal codes, interpreting maps, and participating in hands-on adventures. Other week long camps held this summer are:

X-Treme Eco-Expedition (Ages 11 - 14) June 18- June 24

Stories of Utah's Past (Ages 9 - 11) July 9 - July 13

Creepy Crawly Critters (Ages 7 - 9) July 30 - August 3

Single Day Adventures

Single day adventures are the chance for your kids to get down and dirty with nature! There are five, single day adventures offered this summer with each covering something different.

The first is "Eco-Art" on July 2nd where adventurers will be inspired by nature to create drawings, paintings, sculptures, and installations. The next adventure "Wild and Rare" on July 3rd is where adventurers will learn about rare and extinct animals. After that comes Growing Groceries. In this camp children will harvest and dissect flowers and fruits to experience hands-on where our food comes from. In August children will have the opportunity to experience "A Day In The Life of a Wildlife Scientist " and get up close and personal with the resident animals. The last adventure of the summer is "Earthworks" where campers can learn about the processes and relationships that help keep our Earth teeming with life. 

Fun For Fledglings

The three Fun For Fledglings programs are for ages 4 - 6 and geared towards educating them about wildlife in Utah and the world around them.

The first two programs go all week, come one day or come all! "Animal Explorers" teaches kids about animals in Utah and the cool things they do! "Wild Wings" emphasizes our flying friends from birds to butterflies and other bugs.

The third fledgling program is the "Fledgling Fire-Side Adventure" where fledglings can have their first over-night stay at the Ogden Nature Center.

Toddler Tracks

The four Toddler Tracks classes are especially for our youngest nature lovers and are done as a series throughout July. Mudpuppies', Trail Tales, Doo-Wap, Hop and Bop, and Bugology focus on getting young learners involved with nature while having fun.

Family Camp-- Songs, Skits, Stars and S'mores!

Last but not least, is the one-time-only family camp out! Come roast s'mores while learning about the nocturnal creatures of the Nature Center. Bring your tent and picnic dinner, and be prepared for songs, skits, and a night beneath the stars! 

For a detailed description of each camp, frequently asked questions, and registration visit the Summer Camps page on our website: http://ogdennaturecenter.org/education/summer-camps. Don't miss out on the chance to spend your summer exploring the great outdoors here at the Ogden Nature Center!

Did that leaf just walk? Did that rock just hop away from me? Living in the wild can be a tough life and the world a dangerous place. Those in the animal kingdom need to be clever and cunning in order to survive. One of the best and most interesting techniques that animals use is mimicry where they act like, look like, or sound like something else.

As a way of protecting themselves animals often make themselves look more dangerous than they are. The Utah Mountain Kingsnake is beautifully colored with white, black, and orange rings that run down the length of their bodies. Though this snake is a constrictor (meaning that it crushes its prey) its colors reflect that of the Coral Snake. The Coral Snake inhabits the same areas as the Mountain Kingsnake, and though the Coral Snake rarely bites humans, they are among some of the most venomous snakes in the world. By having similar coloring as the Coral Snake the Mountain Kingsnake automatically sends warnings to predators that say, "Stay away!"

Some animals prefer to go unnoticed completely, like the Katydid. These animals use camouflage to look like their surroundings, rather than imitate another animal. Katydids, related to crickets and grasshoppers, prefer to live in areas with lots of trees and shrubs, and for good reason too! These insects' wings blend in perfectly with the surrounding leaves in the trees the Katydids live in. The Desert Horned Lizard, often called a "horned toad" because of its rounded body and blunt snout, is colored to match the soil it lives in and even has bumps along its back to help it match the texture of the soil.

Other animals think looks are overrated and use sounds to scare of predators. If a Dormouse feels threatened it will run into its burrow and make hissing noises, imitating a snake, to scare of a potential attacker. Worker Termites also use this tactic, hissing while they feed under leaf debris.

While this all sounds like fun and games some animals resort to desperate measures when it comes to escaping or fooling a predator. Many breeds of lizards preform what is called "autotomy" or self-amputation. When lizards feel threatened they will wiggle their tails back and forth to increase the chances of predators attacking their back end, rather than their heads. Then the lizard will release its tail either by direct trauma or sometimes before the tail is even touched. The detached tail will continue to wiggle, allowing the lizard time to escape.

If none of the above tactics work, play dead. The Hognose Snake has this performance down to a tee. When it feels threatened the Hognose will try hissing, but if that fails the snake will roll over and play dead. They even let their tongues hang out of their mouths and emit a foul odor. It is even said that if you roll the snake right-side up it will roll back over to convince predators it really is dead.

Come take a nature walk and see if some of Mother Nature's tricky creatures can April Fool's you!

Spring has finally sprung! Chorus Frogs are making noise throughout the Nature Preserve, geese are sitting on their nests and spring songbirds are showing up a bit early.  Even though this winter was mild, especially by Utah standards, yesterday was the first official day of spring. March 20^th marks the spring or vernal equinox when the length of day and length of the night are just about equal.

We all know the days will begin to get longer -- nights will come later, and the days will be warmer. Because of this, something travels through the community and is catching fast --SPRING FEVER! And, the fever is not localized to humans, but is caught by wildlife as well!

Certain signs of spring's onset are starting to appear everywhere we look. New life is beginning to sprout from the ground and many animals are preparing to have their young.  Birds are a sure indicator of the changing seasons. When winter began, many birds took flight and headed to warmer climates. Now that spring has arrived, the birds have returned to build their nests and raise their young.

Another sign of spring is the return of insects and amphibians. Snakes are starting to wake up from their hibernation and uncoil from their congregated state. Frogs and toads are beginning their journey back to their breeding ponds, sometimes making a dangerous trek along busy roads and areas filled with predators. The bees are also waking up, ready to colonize and pollinate.

Some of our favorite mammals return with spring as well. Bears come out of their winter sleep, bats wake up, and hares become a more common site as the days get warmer and longer. Badger cubs emerge from their dens, as do bear cubs that were born during the winter. Most of these large mammals are not found at the Ogden Nature Center, but visitors can see Cotton-tail rabbits, deer, raccoons and occasionally fox. 

Plants are coming to life and bringing color back into the world after the grey winter months. Some of the first wildflowers to look for are the Bur buttercup and the Stork's bill which bring a sprinkling of color to Utah's mountains and valleys.

Now is the perfect time of year to get out and explore the wildlife at the Ogden Nature Center. Attend the upcoming Egg-cellent Adventure Nest Hunt to learn about the wild birds, their nests and eggs or come learn about shorebirds during our March 28^th Wild Wednesday presentation.

For more information about upcoming programs at the Nature Center go see: http://ogdennaturecenter.org/calendar-a-links/event-calendar

With Saint Patrick's Day coming this Saturday, everyone is preparing to wear their green shoes, socks, shirts and other apparel so they don't get pinched on the 17^th. But, there is another type of green we should all be focusing on as well. Living green is not just about wearing green for a holiday, it is about taking care of our planet -- after all, we only get one!

There are many steps you can take to "green" your life. These steps don't need to be big changes, but can have a big impact on the environment. They can be as simple as having more house plants or buying foods in bulk. All it takes is a conscious effort to make smart decisions for the planet and it can all begin in your home.

One of the first things you can do is change how you eat. Packaging from foods often ends up in the trash and in landfills where it takes hundreds of years to decompose. By buying things in bulk you can reduce packaging waste. Also, by making more things from scratch, say soup, you are reducing environmental waste as well as making more health conscious choices for your body. 

How we take care of our home also has a big impact on the earth. Harsh chemicals used for cleaning our floors, clothes, and even our yards can cause a lot of damage to the world around us. Many chemicals used for cleaning can be substituted with natural remedies. For example, combine baking soda and vinegar, and flush with boiling water, for an effective drain cleaner; use lemon juice to remove mildew; and use corn starch to deodorize carpet.

There are also chemical-free ways to take care of your yard, or pests within your house. Try companion planting, which combines plants that attract pests (like roses) with plants that pests avoid (like chives). You can also apply garlic juice or blended hot peppers to your plants to deter pests. Rid your home of unwanted visitors naturally, too. You don't have to spray, buy ant traps, or apply other chemicals to get rid of indoor bugs either. To get rid of ants naturally, squeeze a lemon at their point of entry and leave the peel. Use flypaper if you are plagued with flies, or even make your own with honey and yellow paper. And don't kill spiders at all as they will help get rid of other pests. 

And last but not least, try to be conscious of everything you are using and throwing away. Part of green living is, of course, recycling; sometimes, though, reusing items can be just as effective as recycling. If you put some thought into what you're throwing away, you may find some of your trash is treasure. Some simple ways to reuse things are take plastic shopping bags back to the grocery store or buy your own fabric bags and avoid plastic all together.  Donate old clothes, shoes, and books to charitable organizations and use sponges and rags to clean up messes rather than paper towels. There are endless ways to reuse daily household items, use your imagination to see what you can come up with!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Come check out the green buildings here at the Ogden Nature Center, or take an-eco-friendly tour online at: http://ogdennaturecenter.org/facilities/green-buildings

We hope you are creating a birdhouse to enter in this year’s Birdhouse Competition! Entries are due March 26-31. Here’s a little background information about the competition itself.

The competition began in 1993 when Carol Biddle, the Ogden Nature Center’s development director at the time, wrote a grant to the Utah Arts Council. From the very beginning, the competition has worked to bring together the community and local artists, as well as to provide nesting locations for birds along Birdhouse Trail. The grant, which specified that funds must be matched by community partners, also helped get local businesses get involved. 

Linda Babcock, a dedicated volunteer and former employee of the Ogden Nature Center, has been in charge of the contest and exhibits for 16 of the competition’s 19 years. Linda shared some of her favorite memories from over the years, including a story about one very photogenic bird. “One time I had a Standard Examiner photographer with me taking pictures as we installed the birdhouses. We placed the house, tamped the soil and right as the camera aimed at the house, a little wren flew in, took a look around and popped its face out of the hole to pose.  It was a riot and the photographer couldn't believe it,” said Linda.   She also remembers when her husband successfully built a birdhouse that got a lot of recognition, “My husband built a birdhouse once that won a prize, got purchased and placed in one of the Board member's yards.”

In the last 16 years, Linda has nearly seen it all, but that doesn’t mean she takes each year’s unique entries for granted. She still has a sincere appreciation for the artwork submitted each year. “I think it is so interesting to see what people create given the same parameters.  That is the fun part about participating in this contest/exhibit - every person has their own interpretation and idea and they are so clever.” Linda listed some of the birdhouses that have stood out for her, including “a giant toilet paper roll, a rendition of the Perry's Egyptian Theater, a mystical ceramic lady with a hole in her tummy (it's in the Visitor Center), a lighthouse, and a moss covered house planted with all sorts of beautiful plants.”

No matter what type of birdhouse you plan on building this year remember to enjoy the experience, try to utilize natural resources, and make environmentally friendly, sturdy birdhouses. After all, your creation may be one of the lucky houses to line the Nature Center’s famous Birdhouse Trail and will be one of the first things visitors see when coming to visit! Linda’s advice for builders of all ages is, “Use your imagination, create something sturdy, do a little research, make something that birds can use, and have fun!”

As the deadline for entering birdhouses into the Nature Center's competition draws near (March 26-31) I have begun to contemplate what type of birdhouse I will be building. Aside from the creative and aesthetic details (which I won't be sharing until the house is finished!) I have been wondering, what makes a good birdhouse? I decided a good house should have the majority of things from these two categories-- houses that benefit the birds and provide a safe environment, and houses that benefit the humans who build the houses. 

Since I have gone and done some research, I figured I would summarize the information here so that other eager birdhouse builders can benefit! These "guidelines" are only suggestions and can apply not only to the houses built for the Nature Center, but also to houses you would build for your own backyard bird-watching!

Bird Benefits:

In the Spring birds are just coming home from their long migratory journey. Though they are tired, they still have a lot of work ahead of them! Spring is time to find a mate, build a nest, and raise a family. No matter how exhausted the birds may be, they need to carry-out this vital part of the life cycle. You can help the birds find a safe place to nest with a properly built birdhouse. This will be important, especially if there are snowstorms late in the season, and food and shelter are hard to find.

When building birdhouses try to keep the houses a natural color such as; grey, tan, or brown (use non-toxic bird friendly paint). Also, make sure your houses are livable! They will need ventilation, an appropriate sized entry hole, drainage in the bottom, and a way to remove the old nest once the birds have moved on. When it comes to adding a perch use caution-- perches may help predators access your birds.

Keep in mind your location when trying to attract certain types of birds. Make sure the birds you are aiming for are in the area!

Human Benefits:

There are many benefits of building birdhouses! Not only do you get to use your talents, and enjoy bird-watching, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing you helped the birds find a safe, comfortable habitat.

For more detailed information about building birdhouses visit the source for this article and the Nature Center's website. Good luck to all the builders, can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

http://www.the-scoop-on-wild-birds-and-feeders.com/buildingbirdhouses.html

http://ogdennaturecenter.org/images/stories/BIRDHOUSE_SIZE_REQUIREMENTS.jpg

Valentine's Day has arrived and many people are giving loved ones gifts, whether it be chocolates, flowers, a thoughtful card, or something else, everyone is intent on showing they care. But humans are not the only ones who like to show each other their love. All of Mother Nature's creatures have their own rituals they follow when it comes to love.

Some creatures mate for life. The Canadian Goose is one of them. These geese usually find their mate when they are around two years old. They work together to raise their young. You can typically see adult geese flanking a line of goslings, with one parent in the front and the other bringing up the rear. The most interesting part about the life of these geese is that pairs will generally return to the same mating site every year. They will raise their young there, and then migrate as a family.

Another bird that mates for life is the Bald Eagle. When the Bald Eagle finds a potential mate they engage in a courtship dance -- in midair. This show involves elaborate calls and flight displays. The Bald Eagles will swoop, chase, and cartwheel through the sky. They will also fly straight up into the air, lock talons, and free fall, releasing just before hitting the ground. The bald eagles rely on each other when it comes time to raise the chicks. A single Bald Eagle would not necessarily be successful without its mate, as raising the chicks is a long, time consuming process.

Other birds participate in their courtship dance alone, in hopes of attracting a willing mate. One of the most flamboyant in his attempts is the Manakin. This little red-headed bird actually moon walks to attract his mate! Another bird that goes the distance for his lady is the Satin Bowerbird. This guy will build a nest that is completely one color-- one year it might be blue, one year it might be green. The most eccentric part of all is that if the girl does not like the nest he will tear down the structure and start completely from scratch.  Now that’s love!

Not all love is so sweet though. Some animals cannot put up with their mates for five minutes, let alone for life! The Praying Mantis female is especially touchy! She will participate in sexual cannibalism, and bite the head of her partner clean-off when she has no more use for him! Black Widows are just as bad, in fact they get their name from it. After mating, the female will often eat her partner. The ladies prefer to be left alone year-round, except during this violent mating ritual.

If you want to watch the very entertaining Manakin perform his courtship dance follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZObbXS0k4o&feature=related Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Early Tuesday morning, even though the world was dark, Susan Snyder and I were up -- literally -- with the birds. It was Susan's day of the week to fill the bird feeders at the Ogden Nature Center for the Wasatch Audubon Society, and she was kind enough to let me come along for the adventure.

John Nelson, one of the founding chapter members of the Wasatch Audubon Society, started winter feedings at the Ogden Nature Center in 1983. The goal of these feedings is to ensure that birds living in or around the nature preserve have enough food to get through the winter, since much of their natural surroundings are now used for human purposes.

The seed used in the bird feeders, which are spread throughout the Nature Center, is donated by members of the Wasatch Audubon Society and the society itself. The people who come to feed the birds, volunteer their time and sign up for a day of the week to come out to the Nature Center and feed the birds once a week all winter long. There are even backup volunteers to fill-in when a primary feeder cannot make it.

Susan, who has been a weekly feeder for almost two years now, told me all about the birds we could expect to see at the feeders this time of year. We saw many birds, including the white-crowned sparrow, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, and America robin. We heard the calls of a chickadee and a pheasant, saw a bevy of California quail, and spotted the tracks of raccoon and deer all along the trial. We also saw three mule deer out early for their breakfast!

After 45 minutes of walking around the beautiful nature preserve, the sun was peeking over the tops of the Wasatch Mountains, and our bags of bird seed were empty. We headed back to the storage barn to return our feeding bags and sign the volunteer sheet saying we had fed the birds that day. Now all we had left to do was watch and wait for the birds to come to the feeders!

For more information about bird watching, Utah's native birds, and the Wasatch chapter of the Audubon Society head to their webpage: http://www.wasatchaudubon.org/. Hope to see you all out here bird-watching with us!

Hi everyone! My name is Whitney Sanchez and I am interning as a blog writer at the Ogden Nature Center. For the next four months I will be posting blogs and keeping you updated on what is going on at this beautiful nature preserve on 12^th Street.

Though my formal relationship with the Nature Center has just begun, my informal relationship began long ago. When I was very young my parents would take my brothers and me to explore at the Nature Center. I still remember going down birdhouse trail, it felt much longer back then, and admiring the beautiful birdhouses people had managed to create. I always wanted to make one, maybe now I will. 

When I was in the first grade I entered an art contest held by the Nature Center and won! I remember painting the trees with my watercolors and being so nervous to submit it. When I won I received a box of cards from the Nature Center that I still have in my memory box.

I have always loved coming to the Nature Center and have volunteered for big events like the Earth Day Celebration. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with the Nature Center staff and learning more about what the center brings to our community. I cannot wait to go on nature walks, to classes, and to learn about the wildlife we have right here in Ogden.

In my personal life I have two dogs and three cats.  I am a senior at Weber State University and will graduate this April with a degree in technical writing and communications. I am looking forward to graduation, but I am also nervous about the changes it will bring.

After graduation I am getting married and moving half-way around the world. My fiancé is in the Navy and we recently received orders to Souda Bay, Greece. We will be leaving around August and are enjoying learning about culture on the island of Crete in preparation for our departure.   But for the next four months, this little tucked away island of open space in Ogden will be my home away from home!