It's Bluebonnet Time!

When the Texas wildflowers blanket the fields across the state, Texans have never been able to stay indoors. We’re always thinking of ways to get outside. This is especially true when our beloved bluebonnets begin to paint our fields and roadways this beautiful shade of blue. Texans have a deep love for bluebonnets, and this is seen every year when families load up in the car and head on road trips across the state to take family photos in fields of bluebonnets. We are so proud of our bluebonnets here in the Lone Star State we officially made the sandy land bluebonnet, Lupinus subcarnosus, our official state flower in 1901 after beating out the cotton boll and cactus in a heated debate in the Texas Legislature. However, the sandy land bluebonnet is not the species of bluebonnet that Texans have a deep love with. That honor goes to the Texas bluebonnet, lupinus texensis, which is showier than the sandy land bluebonnet. For this reason, in 1971 the Texas Legislature amended the law by adding both species as the official state flower and any other bluebonnets yet to be discovered growing in Texas. Would you like to take a guess of how many species of bluebonnets can be found in Texas? There are six different species of bluebonnets found in Texas, and they are all considered the official state flower of Texas.

Our beloved bluebonnet is just one of the many beautiful wildflowers that grace our landscapes each spring and summer. Many of us have spent most of our lives in and around the rural areas of north-central Texas and south Oklahoma, surrounded by a varied and colorful display of wildflowers from early March through the end ofJune. Growing up, I had my favorites – the Evening Primrose and our beloved Texas Bluebonnet. Though each spring greeted us with more than just these bright beauties, I only had eyes for my two favorites. As a child, I didn’t even realize that there was a cycle and order to the wildflower season. The Indian Paintbrushes come and go, and then before the Bluebonnets are gone, the delicate-pink...

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April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Have you ever heard the phrase, “April Showers Bring May Flowers”? Well, it’s true! Spring is the season for rain… lots and lots of rain, and these activities are sure to keep your kiddos engaged, even on the days that it’s too wet to go out and play! April is the perfect month to learn about the water cycle and what makes rain, so let’s learn a little bit about where our water comes from! Pour yourself a glass of water and take a sip. Did you know that the water you’ve just swallowed is the same water that animals and people have been drinking for years and years? That’s because the Earth has been recycling water for over four billion years!

Water is the most common substance on Earth. It takes up over two thirds of our planet’s surface and it supports all life. Did you know? Water makes up almost two thirds of your body too! The amount of water on Earth is limited — a fixed supply! But… we use so much water every day. How have we not run out of water yet? That is thanks to what is called the ‘Water Cycle.’ The world’s water moves between lakes, rivers, oceans, the atmosphere, and the land in an ongoing cycle called – you guessed it! – the water cycle. As it goes through this continuous system, it can be a liquid (water), a gas (vapor) or a solid (ice). So, are all you budding young scientists ready to learn some splashing new facts? Then join Puddles as we take a look at the different stages of the wonderful water cycle… The water cycle is made up of four parts: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Let’s see what these four parts are. Evaporation Energy from the sun heats up the surface of the Earth, causing the temperature of the water in our rivers, lakes, and oceans to rise. When this happens, some of the water “evaporates” into the air, turning into a gas called “vapor “. Plants and trees also lose water to the atmosphere through their leaves. This process is known as “transpiration “.

Condensation As water vapor rises up high into the sky, it cools and turns back into a liquid, forming clouds. This process is called “condensation “. Currents high up in the air move these clouds around the globe. Precipitation When too much water has condensed, the water droplets in the clouds become too big and heavy for the air to hold them. And so, they...

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Shades of Green!

Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner. It’s March and spring is about to burst out all around us! Spring officially begins on March 20, but signs of spring start earlier in the month in our area. It seems like everyone, young and old, gets a little bit excited once we start to see grass turning bright green, early spring flowers starting to bloom, and the trees unfurling their vibrant delicate new leaves. Let’s learn a little bit about why plants are green and how this helps them grow!

To answer this question, we have to back up a bit to understand how plants get food and how they grow. What do we need to grow, and jump, and run, and think? We need energy! And we get this energy from the food that we eat. In the spring especially, we wonder…plants grow too, but have we ever seen a plant eat anything? Probably not! In that case, where do they get their energy? The answer to this question is a little bit amazing! Plants make their own food! That’s right, you heard it correctly…plants make their own food!! They do this through a fantastic process called photosynthesis. What does this have to do with the green color in plants? Let’s find out. What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a fancy scientific word, but it’s really pretty simple. Photo means “light” and synthesis means “to make,” so photosynthesis just means...

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The Great Backyard Bird Count - 2025

By Cindy Steele

Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner! It is time for the yearly Great Backyard Bird Count! What is that, you ask? The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts and any age bird watchers. The best part is that you can participate from your own backyard, or anywhere in the world.

When is this event held in 2025? The 28th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 17 2025. This global activity is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, Birds of Canada, and partially by Wild Birds Unlimited. For any additional information, visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information.

Here are ten tips for making the most of the Great Backyard Bird Count this year!

• The Great Backyard Bird Count is a citizen science project which generates data that can be collected by a lone individual or research group. It’s a huge coalition of individuals dedicated to learning more about our feathered friends. Here are a few more tidbits about the Great Backyard Bird Count:
• The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
• The event is four days long.
• Participants count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the four-day event.
• Counts are reported to birdcount.org, the go-to site for more information!

2. Count in a Location That’s Comfortable, Easy to Access, and Likely to Have Birds.

You don’t have to travel far to participate. Your very own front or backyard are fabulous places to count birds. It’s fun to gather around the table or the window and watch birds at feeders in the yard! If your backyard doesn’t offer easy access to birds, consider alternatives. Just...

Sensational Snowflakes!

Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner. It’s January! It’s that time when we think about the cold weather, and that means thinking about things like building snowmen, snowball fights, snow angels…in other words – SNOW! Here in the North Texas/Southern Oklahoma area we usually don’t see snow until January or February, if we even see snow at all. We might be making paper snowflakes at school or at home, dreaming of waking up to a snowy wonderland.

When we do get snow, it’s a magical experience…especially out at Hagerman NWR. If you happen to be out at the refuge during or after a snow, the whole refuge takes on a different sound and look and the animals are out in abundance enjoying the cold. Since most kids in January are dreaming of snow…and snow days off from school, let’s learn a little bit about snow before we dig into a fun craft.

How Are Snowflakes Formed?

To understand how snow forms, we have to know a little bit about why it rains. When water becomes warm, it evaporates as water vapor into the air, forming clouds. When it cools again above our heads the vapor turns back to water and rain falls back down to the ground. When it’s really cold, the water vapor freezes into crystals, usually around a particle of dust in the cloud. As this tiny particle of ice moves through the clouds, more water vapor freezes to it. Eventually, this process creates a snowflake that is heavy enough to fall from the clouds to the earth. If it’s cold and dry on the ground, the snow won’t melt. Instead, each flake of snow will land on top of the other, causing the snow to build and cover the ground. Did You Know That All Snowflakes Are Six-Pointed? Snowflakes are made up of many of these tiny frozen crystals. Usually, one of these snowflakes is made up of about 200 of these connected ice crystals. Snowflakes are made up of six sides and six points. Because of the way they stick together, the frozen droplets make a shape with six sides. Each one of these six-sided shapes is called a snow crystal. As more and more droplets stick to the snow crystal, they start sticking to the...

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Honk, Honk: Geese at the Refuge!

Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner. Honk, Honk! It’s that time of year that we hear the sounds of thousands of migrating geese descending on Hagerman Wildlife Refuge! It’s quite a sight to see! If you visit the refuge this month, you could easily see fields of thousands of geese enjoying their winter meal.

The arrival of our winter visitors has been described as geese, “descending like a prairie blizzard.” The sound of their honk, honk, honking is almost deafening.

There are several species of geese who habitate the refuge during the winter months. Canada geese, snow geese, white-fronted geese, and Ross' geese use the refuge as stop-over and wintering grounds. Migratory birds by the thousands take up winter quarters at the refuge or refuel for long journeys. At times, as many as 10,000 geese can be seen in one field.

The geese that arrive at the refuge are traveling along the central flyway. These geese travel as far as 2,500 miles south in the fall and then travel another 2,500 miles back North in the spring.  

For the staff at Hagerman, preparing the 12,000-acre refuge for their visitors is a year-round job. The primary crop, winter wheat, is planted in late summer and September. This grain...

We’re Going Batty!

Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner. Are you afraid of bats? Well, did you know that bats are afraid of you? These amazing mammals have long been misunderstood! In fact, bats actually help the environment and people by eating tons of flying insects that destroy crops and spread diseases. Bats also pollinate night flowers, such as cactus, and help spread seeds to create new fruit trees. They’re mysterious, nocturnal hunters who have captured our imaginations for centuries. Imagine you're outside when it's getting dark, and a shadowy creature flies past you. At first, you might think it's a bird, but then you realize it's actually a bat! You don't have to be afraid, though. That bat is likely trying to find insects to eat. It doesn't want to hurt you. In this lesson we'll uncover interesting facts and features about these unique animals.

What is a Bat?

Did you know that a bat is a mammal? A mammal is a type of animal that has fur or hair on its body and feeds its babies milk when born. Bats are special because they are the only mammals that can truly fly. A bat's body is covered head to toe in fur. Many bats look like mice with wings! Bats are able to fly because their front limbs are actually webbed. The webbing is a layer of skin that creates a wing that is very thin but strong. No other mammals have this unusual feature. Bats have sharp teeth, but hardly ever use them for biting people or attacking animals. Out of over a thousand varied species of bats, only three types are truly vampire...

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Let’s Rock and Roll!

Kids naturally love rocks. Large, small, shiny, or rough, they are fascinating to young minds eager to absorb as much of the world as possible. Scientists have some of the coolest jobs on earth. They spend all their days studying and researching many subjects, helping us better understand the planet we live on. Some scientists study space, while others learn all they can about old artifacts to display in museums. Other scientists do research outside, exploring the earth to learn more about the field they specialize in. One of these scientific fields is geology.

What Is Geology?

Geology is the study of the earth, ground, and rocks. The word geology comes from two smaller root words: geo meaning “earth” and –ology meaning “the study of.” Geology is about more than just rocks. Geology is the study of our planet, precious gemstones like diamonds and rubies, and the layers of the earth that we live on.

What Is a Geologist?

A geologist is a scientist that studies geology. What do you think a geologist looks like? Do you imagine an old scientist with huge glasses and crazy hair locked up in a lab? Does he/she spend his days dusting off rocks and looking at them under a microscope? If this is what you pictured, you’re not totally wrong—but you’re also not completely correct. Some geologists do spend their time in a lab, but this isn’t always the case. Many geologists go out on...

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What is a Butterfly Puddler?

We know butterflies need nectar to survive and hosts plants to lay their egg on, but did you know that a butterfly puddler is something that can help them stay healthy, too? And…it’s something that you can easily make for them.

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful pollinators in the world. Even though they appear to be extremely delicate, in reality, they are very tough. Besides gracing us with their beauty, they also provide a very important job in the world of pollinators.

A female butterfly will release pheromones into the air to attract a male to her. They mate and then she will lay eggs on a host plant. The eggs hatch and the caterpillars (larvae) eat the host plant voraciously until they go through five instars to become a chrysalis. Out of the chrysalis in about ten days, the adult butterfly emerges. It has six legs and two antennae which are used in finding flowers to drink nectar from or laying eggs on host plants for next year’s larvae.

The butterfly body consists of three body parts with many subparts attached. The three parts are the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Found at the top of the head are the antennae. These are sensory organs which detect chemicals in the air - to help the butterfly find food, or a mate. Just like other insects, butterflies have compound eyes which are made up of lots of tiny lenses. They can detect light and dark and color, and they are able to detect movement in many directions at once. The mouth parts of the butterfly enable them to feed. They feed on nectar using a long, drinking straw like... 

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Sunflowers…Summer’s Sunny Stars!

When we think about sunflowers, we think about warm and sunny summer days.

The sunflower is a bright, beautiful, and bold flower which has inspired some amazing pieces of art, poems, and stories through the years. Those beautiful bright yellow flowers are enough to brighten your day. They bring up thoughts of long lazy summer days that stretch out from early dawn to late dusk, swimming, fireflies, and the sounds of the ever- present summer cicadas. Sunflowers are the unofficial symbol of summer!

History of Sunflowers

Sunflowers aren’t just beautiful flowers, they’re useful plants that have been used for healing, food, and oil for thousands of years.

Sunflowers are believed to have been grown by American Indians in Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 BC. They were used in many ways – the seed was ground or pounded into flour for cakes and bread or cracked and eaten for a snack, the meal was mixed with other vegetables such as beans, squash and corn and the oil was squeezed from the seed and used in bread making too. Non-food uses include dye for textiles and body painting. Some parts of the plant were used for medicinal purposes including treating snakebite, the oil of the seed was used on the skin and hair and the dried stalk was used as a building material.

Sunflowers were taken to Europe by Spanish explorers around 1500 and the plant became widespread throughout Western Europe, for ornamental and medicinal purposes. In the 18th century sunflowers became popular in Russia too. This is mostly credited to Peter the Great, but the Russian Orthodox Church also played a part by forbidding most oil foods from being consumed during Lent. As sunflowers were not on the prohibited list, they became popular as a food. red and almost black being called the Russian Giant.

By the early 19th century, Russian farmers were growing over two million acres of sunflowers and by the late 19th century, Russian sunflower seed found its way to the USA. Today...

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