Tacoma Nature Center

Don't forget, the online Fall Native Plant Sale opens this Saturday. We recommend shopping early as the most popular plants sell out quickly. You can plan ahead by viewing the list of available plants here: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/nativeplantsale/
Please note that you must be able to pick up your plants on October 5, 6 or 7 between 10 and 2 at the Tacoma Nature Center. We cannot hold plants past the 7th.

Save the date! Beginning on October 1 we will once again have music on the trails at the Nature Center. October sees the return of Music, Motion & Mindfulness at the Tacoma Nature Center, curated audio trail walks provided in partnership with Northwest Sinfonietta. Join us for a kick-off event on October 1 with live music by Northwest Sinfonietta musicians, with selections highlighting nature in music and some sneak peaks from their 2024-25 season. Drop in to the Tacoma Nature Center to enjoy the music from 12:30-1:30 pm, and then hit the trails!
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/music-motion-mindfulness/

Who doesn't love a good tiara? Here is a dewy one beautifully captured by our friend Steve Russell with his description of the shot.

A foggy morning produced dew on this female Western Forktail damselfly (which is my best guess) as it perched on a plant growing in the marsh. It was one of several who did not make it to cover in the trees and shrubbery overnight and was therefore immobilized by the dew until it evaporated or could be knocked off with its legs and wings.
Millersylvania State Park, Thurston Co., WA (US), today (4 September 2024), single handheld shot with a Canon R5, 100mm macro lens, and twin flash, f/16, 1/100th sec, ISO 800, and processed in Lightroom.

Have you introduced your kiddos to keeping a nature journal? Have you tried it? This article outlines some great reasons to give it a shot.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-nature-journaling/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=BTS+24&utm_id=BTS24&utm_term=nature+journaling&utm_content=research&fbclid=IwY2xjawFK2U9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe82kEjfp4O4j88y4VOaEgXO3YXx1rxrf06op_T-e9T-Xn-wHh6tSLMOlQ_aem_mUd47ZBI42ZvPUJgRQUQWA

Today we will forgo our normal Sunday funny in order to celebrate Grandparents Day and suggest you invite your grandparents out for some time in nature. Don't live near your grandparents or they have all already passed? Why not visit a local nursing home and spend some time with grandparents who can use some company?

Fall is the time when the leaves start changing colors from green to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. Did you know that those vivid leaf colors were actually hidden underneath the green all along! As sunlight decreases and cold increases, tree growth slows, and the production of green chlorophyll in their leaves begins to slow, revealing fall leaves’ brilliant yellow, orange, and red.

Not all tree leaves change color. It is the deciduous trees like oaks, birches, maples and cottonwoods that have broad leaves and show off those gorgeous reds, yellows, oranges, and even purples. The lovely evergreens will keep their needles and stay green year-round.

Bee4 the weekend...A series of posts related to bees to share over the weekend.

The schedule of Fall Family Nature Walks is now posted on our website. Check it out and get some on your calendar!
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/activities-and-sports/category/nature-education/family-nature-walk/

Are you starting to think about Fall yet? When do the leaves begin to change color?
The leaves on deciduous plants can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions.

Foliage starts to change in the northern-tier states out West by late September. By October 4, the leaves in some areas will be past their prime.
Much of the Pacific Northwest will be at or near peak fall color by October 11.

The tree pictured is at the corner of the Nature Center building and will generally change colors in layers, looking like an "ombre" tree!

Lights out for migrating birds!
Every year, billions of birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. The majority of the birds fly at night, navigating using the Moon, stars and night sky. As they pass over big cities, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and sky glow. An estimated 600 million birds in the U.S. die each year from collisions with buildings.
Turning your outside lights off during this brief period can really help. The recommended times are 11:00pm (or earlier) through 6:00am on September 3 - 5.

CSU AeroEco Lab Lights out alerts

What? World Beard Day? Yep, it's a thing! So, on this day, we will celebrate a Pacific NW animal that sports an impressive beard - Mountain Goats!

Beards on goats are more than just a funny facial accessory! Generally, the beard on a male goat is used for attracting a mate. Just like how a peacock male grows an extravagant tail to woo the females, a goat beard is a status symbol and serves to indicate good health and success. A goat's beard will usually become longer, larger, and fuller with age, similarly to goat horns. Together, these make for a striking display piece for attracting mates.

Mountain goats also have beards for another reason - to go along with their long warm coats as cold protection. That is why both males and females have them.

You can see these beautiful, bearded creatures up close at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, or look for them in the wild in any of our local mountainous National Parks.

On Labor Day, we pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.
Today we also salute some hard-working - wild - members of the animal kingdom. Learn more here:

The 5 Most Hard-Working Animals We're not referring to species that humans have domesticated for agricultural tasks. Instead, we're talking about the most hard-working animals...

Here is a little taste of fun for you on this Sunday morning. Nice to see that wild animals can be just as prone to missteps as humans now and then! Hang in there little otter - you will grow into those gangly legs. BTW - did you know otter babies are called pups? Sometimes, they can also be called kits or kittens. A mother otter can give birth to up to three babies at once. When more than one baby results from a single pregnancy, the group of siblings is called a litter! Baby otters don’t learn to swim until they are several months old. Even though they can’t swim, they are buoyant so they can float on the surface of the water without going under.

Have you tried Nature Yoga yet? Check out these upcoming classes and sign up soon before they fill up!
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/activities-and-sports/category/fitness/yoga/yoga-nature/

Beary good information :)

What should you do if you run into a bear while hiking in WA? Here’s what experts say Should you carry bear spray or not? Do you fight or retreat? What experts say you should know before hiking in Washington’s bear country.

When you are doing your back-to-school shopping, don't forget to come into the Nature Center for a new animal stuffie friend or a cool nature sticker for the kiddo's new binder, water bottle or laptop. We just got in 18 wonderful designs - all made with long-wearing vinyl and durable inks. We are open every day from 10-2 and you can also order online and arrange a different time for pick-up if needed.

On National Dog Day we wanted to remind everyone about the local wild members of the dog family, also known as canids. If you want to see some of these awesome animals in person, you might consider visiting Northwest Trek Wildlife Park - a great way to see many of our native wildlife species in natural settings.
In Western Washington you can find red foxes and coyotes. The third member of this family is the gray wolf which can currently only be found in some parts of the state. Learn more here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/packs

Here is a little taste of fun for you on this Sunday morning.

Bee4 the weekend...A series of posts related to bees to share over the weekend.
Have you heard of buzz pollination? Buzz pollination is a type of pollination in which bees use vibrations to extract pollen from flowers, often resulting in pollination. This behavior of producing vibrations on flowers to collect pollen is sometimes called “sonication” or “buzzing” due to the relatively loud sound associated with the vibrations produced by bees. Some of our main food-producing plants, like tomatoes and potatoes, rely on buzz pollination. Watch the video for some great footage and an in-depth look at how it works and why it is a benefit to some kinds of bees.

This Vibrating Bumblebee Unlocks a Flower's Hidden Treasure | Deep Look Most flowering plants are more than willing to spread their pollen around. But some flowers hold out for just the right partner. Bumblebees and other buzz po...

Another great image and information from Nature Center friend Steve Russell. But first - Dragonflies have an incredibly unique formation while copulating, one that takes the symbol of a heart, or circle. This stance is usually referred to as a “mating wheel,” and here is how it works: the male first grasps the female by the back of her head using body parts called claspers. These are located at the end of his abdomen. These are designed to grip onto specific parts of the female, ensuring a connection that is strong and not easily interrupted. the female bends her abdomen forward to connect her genitalia with the male’s secondary genitalia, which is located closer to the base of his abdomen (the thorax area).

Steve writes: Familiar subject (Blue-eyed Darners), common pose (mating "wheel"), but uniquely (for me) devoid of distracting foliage in the background other than the distant and muted water reflecting the green vegetation on the bank. Plus, it appears that the female has some much-needed back support. A bit challenging because the wind was blowing, and I was balancing with one foot on the bank and one on a rock in the water while trying to keep the camera steady. A surprise opportunity within minutes of arriving at the pond.

Chambers Bay, Pierce Co., WA (US), yesterday (8 August 2024), single handheld shot from a short continuous burst to counteract the wind, with a Sony A1 and 100-400mm GM lens, f/5.6, 1/5000th sec, auto-ISO 1600, Focus Area: Tracking (Center Fixed), Sensitivity: 1 (Locked on), and processed in Lightroom.

Stick it! We have all seen it in person or on video, a frog or other amphibian grabbing it's prey with a sticky tongue. But do you know the mechanics of the process? Learn more here:

The frog tongue is a high-speed adhesive How do a frog’s tongue and saliva work together to be sticky enough to lift 1.4 times the animal’s body weight? Painstaking lab work found their spit switches between two distinct phases to nab prey.

This is a wonderful - and fairly short - read which highlights another facet of how amazing nature is, and describes possible implications for something that might help humans. Enjoy!

Caddisfly larvae are tiny rock masons. One built this case Caddisflies dwell in creeks and are a favorite food of trout. Their larvae live underwater and build these intricate structures – made of tiny stones – to protect themselves from predators and from the rush of the stream. Sheryl Garrison – who captured the photo above on September 23, 2023 –...

This is a good time to start thinking about what you want to add to your garden this Fall. The cooler and wetter days of the early Fall are such a great time to get your native plants into the ground. We will post a list of available plants by September 4.
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/nativeplantsale/

What Do Decomposers Do? A decomposer in science is “an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead animal or plant matter” and breaks down the waste of other organisms. This process helps provide organic nutrients for the ecosystem where it lives.

There are two main kinds of decomposers: scavengers and decomposers. Scavengers find dead plants and animals and eat them. Decomposers break down what’s left of dead matter or organism waste. The different decomposers can be broken down further into three types: fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates.

As the seasons change, you might need some new outerwear for your kiddos. Save the dates! You can order from our online store any time but during this event your children can try on anything we have as well as check for correct fit for items you might want to order directly from the company. Discounts and special order options available for current members, preschool and homeschool families.