Eyes to the Sky
A Family Guide to Birdwatching
Solution on Pg. 4
The great outdoors is full of incredible wildlife and nature, just waiting for us to get out and explore. Whether you’re going to your local arboretum, a national park, or even your own backyard, you can always find something unique to look at. Sometimes, turning toward the sky will provide an amazing opportunity to see something special. We can find birds almost anywhere. If you’re looking for a new way to keep your kids entertained while educating them, looking for birds can be a great family bonding activity. Start by researching the birds in your area, both permanent residents and those migrating. You’ll likely see common birds in your backyard or around the neighborhood, but you may need to travel to a local park to see some of the more unique species. At first, your kids may need some help finding different birds. Binoculars might be too difficult to use, so it’s up to you to point them in the right direction. Look out for nests, cracked seeds, and other signs indicating birds are nearby. You don’t have to use only your eyes when searching the skies and trees for birds; listen intently, too! Tracking birds through their calls will help alert you to the species you’re searching for and where to look. To keep your kids’ attention as you bird watch, you may need to make a game out of it. Create a scavenger hunt to find five birds in your hometown or the area you’re visiting. You can get specific with unique species or keep it broad by having them look for hawks, ducks, etc. Let your child take the lead, encouraging them to point out birds they see or hear instead of relying on you to tell them. You can even encourage your kids to mimic the different birdcalls they hear.
PUMPKIN PIE FRENCH TOAST Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed • 1/2 cup half-and-half • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée • 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts • 8 slices day-old bread • Maple syrup, to taste
Directions 1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat. 2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup.
Birdwatching is a great way to get your kids outdoors exploring nature. It could even lead to a full-time passion or career in the future.
3 800.698.6918
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator