« Home
Although pre-recorded audio tapes depicting the sounds that birds make can be quite relaxing, they are really not necessary once you learn how to recognize a bird's tune. Birds are often quite loud during the morning hours, but unless you have a trained ear you may not recognize them at all.
There are many things that make birds so special, but a bird is spectacularly equipped with excellent hearing and sight. Therefore, birds often sing as a form of speech, and all animals for miles around understand what a bird is trying to say simply through the pitch of its song. Since humans are, technically, animals as well, we have the ability to understand birds almost as well as those beasts that make the forest their home. The thing is, most humans simply do not take the time to learn the bird song.
If communicating with the birds interests you, start by purchasing a good field guide. Instead of obtaining a printed bird song book, buy a bird CD that depicts the differing sounds of each bird. Many expert birders recommend making your own noise according to the sounds that you hear. For example, many people tend to think that the chickadee has a hankering for a cheeseburger when it sings "cheese-burger" every summer morning. Of course, the chickadee isn't actually ordering a Happy Meal, but it helps to place a word that you will recognize in place of a bird's actual song.
Once you begin to identify each bird with a particular phrase or word, your backyard will become a virtual chorus of birds. In fact, if you really want to treat yourself, place a microphone in your yard, and listen to the birds sing early in the morning. As you drift somewhere between dusk and dawn, your personal songstresses will sing to you softly. Or, you can simply open your window a crack, which will work fairly well.
The amazing part of training your ears to hear every bird that surrounds you is that you will actually hear more birds that you see. Some birds hide high upon a tree's top, and you may never see them, but you will certainly hear them should you listen carefully. As your hearing becomes more acute, you may also learn that birds sound differently when they are in danger; when they become alarmed; or when something happens that is out of the ordinary. For the adventurous birder, knowing what sort of warning sound a bird makes may mean saving yourself from wild animals as well.
Birds are all around you, so why not start to learn their beautiful music today? As the notes fluctuate and the singers take center stage, all you need to do is sit back and listen in order to enjoy nature's own musical symphony.
Rick Chapo writes for NomadJournals.com - makers of rugged and fine bird watching journals for life list.
Reuters - Think you're feeling pain at the gas pump? Consider the residents of Lime Village, Alaska, an isolated Denaina Athabascan Indian community where gasoline prices have hit $8.55 a gallon.
Posted by frankvgmgzny | 2:47 PM | 
Anybody who has ever spent any time outdoors with a child, during the cold winter months, has heard these words. "I'm cold, can we go back?" If you're in the backyard, it's no big deal. Simply go inside. What happens though, if you and the little ones are half way up a two mile trail? It's not that easy. Before leaving for a trip with the kids, no matter how short your walk, make sure you're prepared.
Typically, the reason anyone takes their kids winter hiking, is because they enjoy the activity themselves, and want to share the experience, and hopefully pass on the bug, to their offspring. By not being prepared and focusing the trip on the little ones, you risk scarring them forever and ensuring that their only memories of winter hiking are misery and regret. Be prepared, so when you next mention a winter's day hike, the kids won't be curled in the fetal position, shuddering in a corner with fear.
Many hikers take their kids out when they are just too young. A three year old may be able to do a one mile hike in summer, but only manage a quarter mile in cold and snow. This is normal and should be expected. Doing many short trails, is more enjoyable for youngsters than doing one long trail. Wait a season for those longer hikes, it will be cold again in a year's time and maybe they will be a little more mobile by then. Make sure you have introduced them to hiking before the winter arrives. Learn to judge your child's tolerance levels.
A common mistake, is choosing a route that is way to strenuous, or above the youngest kid's ability. The problem here is that the symptoms only show themselves when you're well under way. Select a trail that matches the ability of the youngest in the group. For the first winter hike, choose something that is way too easy for them. This acts like a "teaser" and has them wanting to do more. Don't make it too long either. Look for signs of tiring, as you need to turn before the meltdown and collapse stage. Remember, at this stage, you still have to return. You will know if the trail was adequate if you end the trip with "can we do some more?" Keep them wanting more.
It may seem obvious, but many times on the trail, you see children under-dressed for the conditions. Focus on the basics first. A hat to keep head and ears warm. Gloves and warm socks. Insulated, water proof boots are important. Take a backpack so you can carry discarded items should it warm up. Always dress them in layers. Keeping them warm and adequately dressed, goes a long way to enjoying the outing. Kids snow boots are notorious for not being waterproof. This is a real problem as hiking with wet feet is no fun and can lead to severe chilling. Get them good snow boots.
What happens if the situation just deteriorates from factors beyond your control, such as weather changes, a scrape or fall? At the first sign of distress, turn back. Avoid showing any disappointment, and perhaps even reaffirm their desire by exclaiming, "You know, I feel like turning back too!" With factors like cold, the discomfort can continue even on the trip back to the car. For minor discomfort, you can try and distract them with treats or a made-up game. Take along some hand warmers. Kids find hand warmers fascinating, not just comforting. These tactics help keep their minds occupied and not what's causing the discomfort. This is especially useful if you have turned back and want to end on a positive note.
Focus your hiking goals on your child's needs. They don't care about mileage, or how fast you complete the trail. Stop and look at animal tracks and watch birds and squirrels. Walk the trail from their perspective, slow and entertaining.
Kids love to be entertained. They are usually, good at entertaining themselves, but when stress mounts, you will need to provide that entertainment as a distraction. By distracting from the discomfort at hand, it buys you time to rectify the situation and turn a looming disaster into a memorable trip. This is your ultimate goal. So how do you entertain in a stressful situation? Make it a game. Turn whatever is causing misery into whatever your child enjoys. This does require some imaginative thought, but it can really make the trip back more pleasurable.
For young kids let them stop and build a fairy house with twigs and rocks. As moving up the trail, let the kids create markers to use on their way back. Strategically place a few M&Ms on the way up and then discover them on the way down. Anything like this keeps them entertained and having fun.
If the weather is less than great, just don't go out. If it's cold you can still get out and enjoy a short walk, but a fresh breeze can make for a miserable trip. Avoid windy, cold days!
The key to enjoying winter hiking with the kids, is to have them driving the desire to go on a hike. If they're pestering you to get outdoors in the snow, then you have successfully created a monster. A monster that will remember the wonderful winter days on the trail with Mom or Dad, for years to come.
Take a kid outdoors today!
About The Author
Graham Armitage, is founder of the family outdoor website, Georec. The site allows anyone to discover new outdoor places and invites you to review and comment on outdoor locations. To access all the free hiking, fishing, paddling and other information available, or to add your own content, visit http://www.georec.com
Copyright 2006 - georec.com All Rights reserved WorldWide. Reprint rights - you may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, and do not edit the article in any way, and give credit to the author.
Reuters - An Indian man who took an impersonator to court to get a divorce faces legal action after his real wife found out, lawyers said Friday.
Posted by frankvgmgzny | 2:14 PM |
