Peregrine Falcons

pic: amazon.com

I am reading a book called My side Of The Mountain. It's about this boy named Sam. He had a peregrine falcon but I will tell you about that later when I am finished with the book.

Yesterday when I went to the zoo guess what I found? A PEREGRINE FALCON!!!!! What a coincidence!

Here are some facts about peregrine falcons...

• they are birds of prey
• they can fly up to 200 m.p.h.
• they can live almost anywhere
• they can live up to 17 years
• it is an endangered species

a long time ago farmers use to spray their crops with stuff called DDT. It kept bugs off of the crops but it turned out to be bad for people and animals. The DDT made the falcon's eggshell very thin and a lot of them died from the mother sitting on them.

DDT was banned and the now the peregrine falcons are returning! I found all of this at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

Mermaids purse and other things.

Last week I went to Ocean Grove beach. I was digging in the sand, and guess what I found? A shark's egg! Look...

Wait a minit, thats not a shark egg! They are sting ray eggs!

Here is what a shark's egg looks like...it is from a Spotted Dogfish shark

This shows the shark before it has hatched.I think they look a lot alike because they both have swirly tips band a rectangular case. Even though they look alike in their eggs they don't once they are hatched! Take a look:

Spotted Dogfish

Stingray

I told you so!!

I also found some other things that day here is a picture:

I found some random crab pieces, a sand dollar and a shell. I also found some sand fleas:

They are so cool because when you pick them up, they tickle in your hand. Also, I have a secret how to catch a lot. I caught 274! You dig your hands deep in wet sand, and you will find millions. Here is a picture of some I found...

So next time you go to the beach KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN, and you might find really really cool. stuff

pic 2: mbl.ku.dk pic 3: www.ukdivers.net pic4: laaquariumvolunteers.org

fencing

Have you ever used swords before? Sounds dangerous right? Well not anymore! I take fencing and in fencing we use swords. It sounds dangerous but it's really not because you wear fencing gear that protects your body. I like it because it teaches you discipline, balance, coordination, quick reflexes, and last but not least, good sportsmanship!!!

There are three types of swords: Epee, Foil, and Sabre. I chose Foil for of few reasons. Foil is not as heavy as the others. There are more rules with foil, but I like that! And foil is GREAT for beginners! Now if any of you out there want to use swords, just try fencing!

pic: www.medievalweaponinfo.com

The Huge Turtle

My family and I went to lake Pocono and got our own cabin. We went fishing and we caught a little turtle. It swallowed the hook and came out its eye. So our neighbor took it out. There was a snapping turtle we named Grandpa Snappers and Jack caught the big turtle. It was about as big as a boat. I also caught some frogs and fish. Some frogs were babies. They were tiny with tails. After that I went to Bushkill Falls. It was biggest waterfall in Pennsylvania. I hope I go back next summer.

Praying Mantis

Remember a few blogs ago when I wrote about praying mantises? Remember how small they were ? Well today we found one of the babies and it was grown up! It was as big as my whole foot. It cleaned itself like a cat. He licked its hand and wiped his face . I was scared to hold it because it was so big, but then I wasn't scared, so I held it very gently. I cant believe he came home to us.

The Tire Swing

About two months ago my dad found an old tire. He brought it home. Then he found a real long tree. So I found a rope and I tied a ball to it and threw it up in the tree. My dad put the tire on the rope. Now we have a cool swing! It is sooooooo fun! When my big brother pushed me, I screamed! Tire swings are the best.

pic: way2reuse.com

American Girl

A few days ago my mom let me go to the American Girl store. I saw a magazine so I bought it. I looked inside and all that was in it was words. It seemed like it was boring. A couple of days later my mom asked me if I read it and I said no so my mom read some pages to me. It turns out its fantastic so I've been reading it since then. It has polls, stories and posters. It also has games. So if you want a magazine then you should get the A.G. one.

Picture: sararhunt.com