"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."
This quote by Aristotle is perfect for today, for the fleeting and frenzied season of Late Spring is indeed a marvelous time of the year. No matter where you live, wherever you look there's something amazing to see and to do! There are gardens to plant, flowers to pick, birds to watch, bugs to catch, woods to hike, creeks to cross and ... well, I could go on and on. But instead, I will let my Field Day friends do that for me. :)
First though, please let me thank you all for your patience and understanding throughout the Field Day postponement. I am grateful to everyone who participated and I appreciate your enthusiasm and support! (And if by some chance I missed you - if you don't see your post here - please send me an email, or leave me a comment, and I will remedy the situation ASAP!)
Without further ado, let's set out for our Late Spring Field Day! There are many wonderful posts to share, and, thanks again to my friend Marcie, many gorgeous photos as well. Field Day would not be the same without them!
To begin, let's check in with Silvia at Po Moyemu as she shares Images from Her Rural Life including an undercover turtle, a nest-that-almost-was, a busy bee and some very funny chickens. Next she describes the joys of Gardenschooling with her son - what a terrific home-learning day! And finally Silvia shares her surprise when she recently discovered a Skink in Her Yard!
Speaking of skinks (a creature I'd barely heard of before, and here I now have two to admire) ...
Marcie's husband found this fellow hanging out in their carport!
Becky at Farm School delved Into the Woods with her family and came home with a bountiful spring harvest ~ seven liters of morel mushrooms! We found some morels last year too, but we just stared at them, lol. Becky had the forethought to make the most of them, and in a most delicious way!
Rose at Pretty in Pink shares a montage of breathtaking pictures from her Victorian yard ~ and one can see why she has the perfect setting for a fabulous Late Spring Field Day. Stop by to admire her lush gardens - so colorful and interesting!
Jennifer at As Cozy as Spring also has a most lovely and lively garden - lovely for its blooms, lively for its visitors! Stop by and take a peek in her Backyard Guide Book. There are butterflies today ~ perhaps spiders tomorrow?
A butterfly resting in Marcie's Bradford Pear.
Jenny at Wildwood Cottage has seen a rainy spring, but it has hardly dampened the spirit of her lovely gardens. She was inspired by Tasha Tudor (one of my favorite authors) to take us on a late spring garden tour of her beautiful Flowers!
As a new mother, Melissa at Here in the Bonny Glen, was inspired to seek out special places to visit with her children ~ Some Breezy Open Wherein it Seemeth Always Afternoon. In her post, she remembers old haunts and treasured memories, while appreciating new memories in the making.
Joann at Ten Kids and a Dog shares many delightful photographs throughout her post describing the way Late Spring is unfolding in her neck of the northern woods.
While over at Cay's Cajun Cottage, my dear friend shares her lovely Gardens in Bloom. There's so much to see (and yes, almost smell!) with blossoms unfolding, in-waiting and in paint on paper!
A bumblebee greeting a bright lily.
Maureen at Trinity Prep School sent her children out in the yard to explore and take plenty of Fotos for their Far-Away Father. Stop in and cast your vote for your favorite shot - they're all lovely!
Divina at The Bean Sprout enjoyed a special day by the seashore with her family and shares why B is for Birds at the Beach. That's quite a list of birds to see, Divina! What fun your Little Man must be having.
Back in the April Early Spring Field Day, Theresa at Lapaz Farm, showed us how to construct inexpensive nets for a stream nature study. In today's post, she announces "We're Back with a Splash" and shares with us all the cool and interesting things they found in their stream. Don't miss their photobucket slide show for even more exciting images!
Alice at Cottage Blessings always has wonderful activities planned for her children, and recently, after a whirlwind spring "at the theater," she found it time to announce, a Return to our Regularly Scheduled May. First up ~ a lovely, sentimental walk through the grounds of a local and beloved garden.
A honeybee clinging to a thistle.
Spring has brought many delights for Dani and family at Artful Thoughts. In their Spring Nature Journals they have captured the sights and sense of spring itself (love the twig binding!). Her son Quinn's Spring Lapbook, filled with memories and information, will be an amazing keepsake for years to come. And I am sure Quinn will also long remember the adorable Fairy House crafted by his older brothers especially for him.
Meadowlarks, tanagers and buntings - oh, my! And how about those hummers?! Meredith at Nature's Sweetness has been enjoying myriad Backyard Bird Tales with her dear children. What a happy spring for them all, with so much bright color to behold and so many sweet songs to learn!
Mary Chris has found the joys of nature in her own Little Pocket as well as while out and about. She takes us along on a few Late Spring Field Days to see turtles, bluebells and some very smart fish. All that is quite exciting, but I have to say, I would just love to join Mary Chris for that morning coffee in the midst of her lovely backyard.
Nissa from Simple Gifts shares with us two lovely spring photos, capturing the busy-ness of spring. The first shows a nesting catbird in her family's French lilac:
And the next shows a "most perfect" beaver lodge and dam in the sparkling spring sunshine:
Next we have Jen at Daughter of the King, who shares some wonderful photos from a weekend spent enjoying Springtime in Maine. Beautiful flowers, scenic vistas and interesting wildlife to boot!
Suzanne at Adventures in Daily Living takes us on a Sunday Garden Tour with a list of all the beauties growing in her garden. What a lovely June afternoon, despite all the rain.
Susan at Chicken Spaghetti talks about three of my most favorite things in her Field Day post. In Bird Books for Children, you will find an extensive list of literature for children of all ages. I can't wait to check them out, for you all know how I feel about birds. In fact at this very moment I am straining my eyes to see just what bird that is perching outside my computer desk window ...
And Speaking of Perching, Michelle at Living Waters has been watching a lovely pair of songbirds along with her children who have dubbed the pair Derek and Odette. Could a nest be any more romantic than one situated in a basket of fragrant spring flowers?
Minding his own business, just being a frog. :)
Meanwhile, Leticia at Cause of our Joy has started a lovely new tradition - Sundays at the Nature Preserve. How fortunate are her children to have a father so knowledgeable and eager to share his love of nature with his family. I can't wait to see more!
Marjorie always has fascinating and inspiring nature posts at her blog, Lettres de mon Moulin. Today is no exception - as her family explores those Shelled Wonders - Turtles and Crayfish. Marjorie recounts their newly made armored acquaintances and offers excellent tips for our own study should the opportunity ever present itself. (Fingers crossed!)
Spring has arrived at long last up north, and Angela's dear family has shifted into summer mode. At Three Plus Two there are plenty of Birds, Bugs and Botany to observe and explore. I predict a very busy and happy summer for them all!
And here comes dear Waltzing Matilda who offers us some lovely photographs for Field Day, all hallmarks of the late spring season (well, maybe except for that "wolf," lol). Stop by to see a passing spring rain, vibrant garden blooms and a spectacular rainbow!
And speaking of rainbows ...
An evening rain brought this beauty to Marcie's neighborhood!
So much of the thrill in birding lies in discovering a new bird at your feeders. Ruth and family at Just Another Day in Paradise have had a wonderful time drawing in new birds to observe. Check out her Birdwatching archive to join in their excitement!
Donna at Moments Like These is also raising several Birders in Training. A recent trip to a nature preserve yielded many sightings of several new species. Take a peek at Donna's Baltimore oriole pictures - just lovely! She offers some great birding tips as well. (Ooh, and this just in - Birders in Training Part II! What a shot!)
As you all know, I love a good nature mystery, and Kimberlee at Pondered in My Heart had an intriguing Empty Nest Syndrome on her hands recently! Some thoughtful field work ensued, and the mystery was at long last solved ... what could have happened to those eggs? Stop in and find out!
The miracle of spring - new life unfolding!
Tiany at Less of Me ~ More of Him shares with us a collection of amazing photos from a Late Spring Field Day in her Backyard. What a habitat she has created - filled with lizards, frogs, butterflies, geese and more. Check out that butterfly bush - beautiful!
Kristen at Adventures in Bodenburg takes us along on a Memorial Day trip to a nearby creek. They had such fun and found some neat rocks! Next she shares a post about The Pumpkin Patch 2007 (and Seed Companies). I loved reading about her pumpkins which are usually thought of as a fall symbol, but part of the delight of spring is the promise it makes toward fall!
Maria at Tater Tots and Ladybug Love shares an absolutely charming photo essay, reminding us of the Lazy Summer Days in Late Spring. So true! I love how the seasons tread on each other's toes sometimes. Next she shares a family adventure which consisted of Bikes, Turtles, Blades and Burritos. What a fun day!
Beth at Woman of the Tiger Moon spends much time in her yarden (love that) with her dear little son, Larkin, a boy after his Mama's green heart! Grab a cup of coffee and join them for Reflections on One Good Spring Morning - and don't miss those bunny pictures!
Beth at Simply Sewn has lots of nature to share ~ inspiration on the farm (love the kitty!), strawberries and colorful quilts (again, love the cat), princes of butterflies and ladybugs, and a museum visit (complete with frogs) too!!
Plus Beth shares two grand photos of her kids enjoying the very best kind of Field Day - a real one!
I just had to wrap up my post with that above shot. It is truly the essence of nature study with children - getting them out there and letting them take such JOY in our marvelous world!!
As always, I thank you all for joining me on this Late Spring Field Day. I hope you'll consider a return visit later on in the summer - right about first harvest, perhaps? Mid-August or so?
For, already spring fever is winding down, and very soon the hazy-lazy days of summer will set in ...
The afternoons will hum with the drone of bees and cicadas. The sun will bare down on us, and we will retreat to the shade and the cool of indoors. Storm clouds will gather in the west and the wind will scarcely move - nor will we. So for now, relish the fresh air, the brilliant blooms and the busy energy of spring - tuck these sweet little things away in your heart, and carry them with you all year.
Little drops of water, little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.
Thus the little moments, humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages of eternity …
Little deeds of kindness, little words of love,
Help to make the earth happy, like the heaven above.
(Julia A. F. Carney, 1845)
Wow! You did a wonderful job, Dawn. This post calls for a glass/cup of tea and some quiet computer time so I can browse to my heart's content. *smile*
Thank you!
Posted by: Dani | June 11, 2007 at 07:03 AM
Now that was positively exhilarating! Thank you so much for including my photos! I am happy to report that Mr. and Mrs. catbird have welcomed three chicks in all their loud fuzziness. And I've just posted pictures of my garden - all dressed up in our favorite color!
Posted by: Nissa | June 11, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Wow, Dawn!!! Your field days are really growing!
Thanks once again for allowing a non-blogger to participate. I will enjoy checking out everyone's contributions. They are all so beautiful!
Posted by: marcie | June 11, 2007 at 08:11 AM
I'm going to add my WOW! LOL This one's huge!! Great job. I'm looking forward to being able to sit down and read though it this afternoon. :-)
Posted by: Angel | June 11, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Dawn, what a great Monday morning adventure. Thank you for setting up Field Day. I can't wait until I have a little time to read everything--there are so many good ideas here.
Posted by: Susan | June 11, 2007 at 09:09 AM
I just found your blog and I have to say I'm delighted. I can't wait to have time to read everything in your field day. Next time you have one I'll surely have something to add. I'll be checking your new entries regularly.
Posted by: Elizabeth Joy | June 11, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Dawn, you have outdone yourself this time (if that is possible :-) Thank to to all the ladies who shared their discoveries. I can't wait to get reading. Fantastic!
Posted by: Marjorie | June 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Wonderful job, Dawn! Thanks for including my last-minute entry! You are the best!
Posted by: Theresa | June 11, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Oh my goodness, Dawn. This is incredible. The pictures are so beautiful. Thank you for including us in your field day. I just added more pictures up on my blog today. We had a new visitor ; ).
Posted by: Ruth Tucker | June 11, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Thank you for all the inspiration on your blog! I'm new to blogging and homeschooling and you've been a great help to me in both!
Posted by: Michelle | June 11, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Early or late, I love Spring!
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | June 11, 2007 at 09:46 PM
I linked up from my blog.....absolutely beautiful job!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | June 12, 2007 at 07:04 AM
I'll be linking to this as well, it is a welcome respite in a busy day! Well done, Dawn, and I will be adding posts of our Sundays in the Nature Preserve soon.
Posted by: Leticia | June 12, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Goodness, It will take me all day to read these. What fun! It must have taken you forever to compile all this. Thank you so much!
Posted by: mrs darling | June 12, 2007 at 10:43 AM
I just wanted to thank you again for doing these Field Days. They are such fun to participate in and to read through, and there is always something new to learn from the contributions. What a wonderful way for us to connect as homeschoolers. So Thank You, for facilitating that connection. :-)
Posted by: Beth | June 12, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Beautiful as usual Dawn, thanks so much for including me and so glad you're back in action on the net!! Blessings!
Posted by: Meredith | June 12, 2007 at 05:42 PM
What a wonderful Late Spring Field Day! It was so much fun, very inspiring as well as informative! I loved all the great pictures and learning more about all the homeschooling families! Congrats to all those who contributed!
Posted by: betty | June 13, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Dawn, great job in putting all this together. I'm still following links days later! Thank you :-)
Posted by: Rose | June 14, 2007 at 12:04 PM
HOW WONDERFUL!!! THank you for putting this together!
MIght I ask... how does one submit a link for your field days??? I'd like to join in next time! Please pop by my blog and leave a comment to let me know!
Have a fabulous weekend!!
Posted by: Angi | June 15, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Thank you, Dawn!
Posted by: Becky | June 17, 2007 at 08:34 PM