This is a state endangered species, the blue corporal. Ohio is at the far northern boundary of its range, and we were hoping to document it this weekend.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom it was discovered by another field trip group on saturday, so I knew the general location to begin my search on sunday morning. I drove sooo far out a narrow gravel road that I lost cell reception and started to feel a bit nervous.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom as I got to the small lake that was my destination, I passed two guys sitting beside the road in a pickup truck. I started to think it might not be such a good idea for me to be way out there alone, and was wondering if I should just turn around.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom so I was extremely relieved to find another ode hunter already down at the parking lot on this dead end road. Not only did that make me feel more safe, but he had just seen the blue corporal and took me on a walk down a muddy road and pointed to the trunk of an evergreen tree and said, “there it is, just above the base of that branch that has been cut off….About a foot to the left.” and indeed, there it was, another lifer!Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Today marks the end of the annual celebration known as blue week here in the oak openings region of northwest ohio. Blue week is an event of the green ribbon initiative, a consortium of local organizations working to protect the biological diversity of our area.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I serve on the boards of two nonprofits who are members of the green ribbon initiative ( toledo naturalists’ association and wild ones oak openings chapter).Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I wrote more about blue week two years ago in this post, if you’d like to read about the significance of the oak openings ecosystem.

When I started my native garden project, I was eager to have wild lupines growing in my yard.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom these native flowers (lupinus perennis) are the iconic symbols of blue week, and the reason for the timing of the celebration each year. I was given six tiny lupine plants in the fall of 2017 after I’d volunteered at our metroparks toledo native seed nursery.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I planted them in the sandy soil of my garden and watched all but one of them die over the first year. The surviving plant didn’t bloom last year, but just look at what it’s doing now!Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

I’m overjoyed to see this plant thriving in my yard, and am encouraged to try to add more of them. Luckily for me, a local nursery is selling them now, and I was able to get a few more.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I put them in the ground several days ago, right beside the existing lupine. Unfortunately, a small rabbit has made a home in my garden and he ate all four of the new lupines a couple days ago.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but there are still a few tiny leaves on those new plants, so I’ve fenced them off and will see if they can make it.

Maybe I should have titled this, “birder true confessions,” because I’m going to admit to some embarrassing things that happened on this trip.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the first is that I sometimes get excited about birds that other people don’t. I wrote about one such occasion from my trip to texas last winter, when my friend rick was trying to show me a ringed kingfisher and I was more excited about a bunch of pelicans.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

When I learned that I would have a chance to see flamingos in the galápagos, I was really stoked. I bet most of my ohio birder friends have seen flamingos already, but I hadn’t.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom this is because I’ve never been to florida, believe it or not. Well, okay, I went to ft. Lauderdale on spring break during college, but birds weren’t on my radar back then.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and I’ve not been back to the sunshine state since then, mostly because I’m afraid of birding where there are alligators. I know it’s an irrational fear, but what can I say?Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I imagine myself being distracted looking up at birds, and walking right into an alligator lurking in the vegetation along a trail. Don’t laugh, it could happen.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but I hope to overcome that fear at some point and go birding down south.

So anyway, when the day finally came that we would have a chance to see flamingos, I was ready.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I wore my flamingo t-shirt, the one I rarely wear at home because it seems so tacky. I don’t even know why I bought this shirt in the first place because it seems like something you’d get in a souvenir shop at the beach.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but I had it, and I packed it for this trip, just for this day. And I’m so glad I did, because that’s the reason I can show you this picture:

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It would have been awesome to find a huge flock of these elegant-yet-comical birds, but I was still thrilled about finding eight of them in a small pond.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom it was tempting to play with the color saturation when I edited these photos, so I made this collage with the original photo in the middle, bookended between lower-saturation and higher-saturation versions.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I like it.

Well, he may have had every intention of helping me, but what actually happened was that people spread out all across the beach and the guides weren’t really anywhere near me when I went in the water.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I managed to get my flippers on, and then put my mask on, and then turn myself over and put my face in the water. But within two seconds a wave hit me and my mask filled with water and I was up again.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and I found out just then that I probably should have realized that I needed to make sure my mask was a tight fit on my face — which it clearly wasn’t.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

I stood in the shallow water contemplating my next move: would I try to get the attention of one of the guides, or would I try again on my own?Cognitive learning theory in the classroom just then I noticed an american oystercatcher running along the beach, and I knew what I was going to do. I was going to throw off those stupid flippers and take photos of this awesome bird!Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I had only seen my first oystercatcher the day before — life bird! — so I was still pretty geeked at seeing another one, especially at such close range.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

In my first post about the galápagos trip, I showed you photos of the beloved and iconic blue-footed boobies. Most of those images were made on north seymour, a small island that’s host to large colonies of the boobies as well as frigatebirds.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom so let’s continue with the wonders of north seymour. As our zodiac left the ship and approached this restricted-access island, I was enthralled by the sight of a sky filled with enormous birds soaring over us.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Magnificent frigatebirds ( fregata magnificens) are aptly named, because they are simply spectacular. Most days there were small groups of them soaring above the ship, giving us dramatic close views.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom with a wingspan of up to 8 feet, this giant seabird is often called a pirate of the sky because of its habit of stealing food from other birds.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom you see, the frigatebird doesn’t have waterproof feathers like most other seabirds, making it unable to dive into the sea for its food. It can grab fish from the surface with its hooked bill, but more often it seems to prefer taking food from boobies and other seabirds.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

I’d say that, along with the giant tortoises, the blue-footed boobies are one of the most sought-after species by visitors to the islands. Even though they’re found in other parts of the world, they’ve become iconic symbols of the galápagos.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom my first close encounter with these striking and comical birds was when our zodiac boat floated past this one standing on a rocky outcrop at rabida island.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom as you can see, the bird showed virtually no reaction to the appearance of 15 humans a few yards away.

That’s one of the most amazing things about wildlife experiences in the galápagos — the animals don’t flee when we approach, as they do in other parts of the world.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom most of these islands are so remote and devoid of people that the animals don’t understand that humans are a source of danger. It’s actually heartbreaking to realize that the entire animal kingdom has to fear us; I felt the gift of this precious experience deep in my heart every time I was able to have a close encounter like this.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I admit that it was a bit disconcerting to feel joy and sadness at the same time.

Here’s a video of the blue-footed booby courtship dance, one of the highlights of the trip.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I giggled at the beginning because it seemed that the female (on the right) leaned over and commanded the male to dance for her. And, as you see, he obliged her.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom notice the difference in pupil size between the sexes; the male’s pupil is smaller than the female’s. She’s also larger-bodied than he is, as is common with many birds.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom