Recent Nature Detectives Articles
Spring Bird Migration and Nest Building in Colorado - Every year, as the weather begins to warm up, we can see the signs of spring all around us. One of the most exciting things to watch for is the arrival of birds back to their homes. Birds travel long distances to find food, warmer weather, and places to raise their young. This is called […]
Discover Secrets of Seeds! - What are seeds? What do they look like? What’s that big thing at the center of your peach and plum? What are those little hard brown things inside your apple core? Yes, those are seeds. The baby plants inside them ready to unfold and grow into a new apple, peach or plum tree. Seeds come […]
Animal Homes - “Who’s been here?” “What were they doing and why were they doing it?” “When did it happen?” Nature Detectives try to answer questions like these by looking for clues and evidence of the activities of creates in the outdoors. Have you ever wondered about teeth marks on the trunk of a tree, or strange footprints […]
How to Become Good Stewards or Guardians of Nature - We know that many of you love being outdoors and exploring the parks and wild places of Boulder County and beyond. We know you love to be in nature! Nature looks tough, but it is a delicate ecosystem. It can suffer if we aren’t responsible. So, how do we make sure that we coexist harmoniously […]
Watershed! - Can you answer this stumper question? Where do you live? Hint: The answer is not your home address, but it is the same answer for everyone on earth, even though we live in different places. Hint: The answer is not “planet earth.” Hint: The answer has to do with water. Answer: You, I, and everyone […]
Mountain Lions – The BIG Cats of Boulder County - Mountain lions are mammals with many names — they are called cougar, puma, or panther in our region. Their scientific name is Puma concolor (concolor = one color). Their coloring is tan-light brown with whitish throat, belly, and inner legs. The tip of the tail, around their nose, and back of their ears are black. […]
Please Pass the Peas! - What’s a Pea? Everyone knows that! It’s a round green thing you stab with a fork or balance on a spoon and eat. But did you know that a pea is also a bean? What? It’s All in the Name Peas and beans are actually like first cousins in the same family. Their family name […]
What’s the Big Deal about Pollination? - It is summertime! Something natural and important is happening everywhere… and you may not even notice. We’re talking about pollination and pollinators- big words and a big deal. Pollination affects everyone and everywhere- not just Boulder County, but the entire planet! Pollination is how flowering plants reproduce, spread, and make new seeds and fruit. Plants […]
Native Plants Wake Up! - Here they come! Have you ever–after a winter night’s sound sleep– poked your head out from under the bedcovers into the morning light? If yes, you can understand the wild seed. After the dark night of winter underground, the tiny plant is now feeling its way out of its seed coat…up through the moist soil…stretching […]
Who lives out there in the Snow? - Winter is here in Boulder County, the temperatures have dropped, and you’re probably wearing boots, a coat, cap, and mittens some days to stay dry and warm. What about the wildlife you see in the winter? What happens to them? What do they do to manage the cold season? Unlike animals like bears, ground squirrels […]All Nature Detectives Inserts
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