Tag Archive | bird

Enantiornithine… Not a Dinosaur!

Back to rather old saved posts before I face the October resize. Enjoy this NOt dinosaur!

But a bird found during the age of dinosaurs. The enantiornithine died out at the end of the Cretaceous period but was common during the Mesozoic era. With feathers and teeth, this omnivore has been found as small as a sparrow and as big as a turkey. Toted as the possible origin of feathers and birds… this prehistoric bird has been a creature of interest for some time. They are thought to be found everywhere but Antarctica, virtually all over the Pangea.

We came across the enantiornithine on Dinosaur Train so of course we had to hunt more. This bird was a wonderful creature to restart our dinosaur odyssey. We had one good video that both Emanuel and Gavin enjoyed. PL3_Bird_Enantiornithine Birds by Walter Jahn.

Our second video was more a peek at a rendering on the Dinopedia for Walking With Dinosaurs. An image from their opening HERE. Of course this bird is also featured on Dinosaur Train. You can watch them on PBSkids.org. Or Netflix of course. We found our best images on Google WERE Dinosaur Train. I simply did a Google search for enantiornithine  or enantiornithine  dinosaur train and clicked images.

We had a few links. Some were too advanced for my current learners but I have included them here all the same out of interest sake.

  • Random Thoughts has a… random thought about our bird HERE.
  • Dinosaur Train’s Field Guide… click search and find our bird HERE.
  • Dinosaur Train Wikia HERE.
  • Answers in Genesis has an article HERE.
  • Phys.Org HERE.
  • Wiki article HERE.
  • A Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology HERE
  • Our colouring page came from deviantArt. We used it to trace out our dinosaur and paste it on a scene the boys drew… Thanks to Albertonykus HERE.

Remembering August Through Images…

…because man do I barely remember the details! August is a special month with Miss Echo’s birthday and the tail end of summer vacation for “others”. As usual we did NOT have a full on summer vacation. I find that when we take a large chunk of time fully off our learning we lose too much without the repetition. So instead I do a lighter schedule with many more days off for fun in the sun.IMAG0477

So, let’s see if I can match some words to the images! Well, first off… beginning of the month means Home Depot craft. I really hope if any of you have kids ages 5-12 you have them going to this… it is free and totally worth it. August was the last month of just the 4 kids going. I wanted to wait until Echo actually WAS 5. Anyway, August was chalkboards.DSCN0840

We had a bit of a harvest in the garden in August… rather humble these beginnings.DSCN0841

Of course we continued swimming. The instructors and lifeguards at out local YMCA are the best. We are so spoiled by Nana and Baba and their continuing gift of the membership. We could live there!

DSCN0842Of course August, sunshine, Minnesota… lakes… so we had to continue our beach trips. We went a couple times and lucked out with Renee and the boys joining us! DSCN0859

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We found plenty of time for Wild Kratts episodes. I don’t know that we will EVER tire of this, though I REALLY need to get a table of contents listing the critters we have covered since we tend to watch them out of order. DSCN0852

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… well you get the idea… I am sure there will be a couple others in the overflow blog entry!

We spent a lot of time in the yard in the sunshine (or in my case in the shade). I don’t know what we would do without an inflatable pool, some toys and my sewing. Together time can be so perfect even on a shoestring budget!DSCN0854

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The girls even joined me at Caribou for coffee while Ken had a meet up there. Coffee time means the boys get their computer time (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY GASP) and the girls get a special occasion… all while covering an appointment for Ken. Win win.DSCN0857

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We did still find time for regular school of course, AND adding Miss Echo more and more. It is exciting and a wee bit overwhelming to have a full classroom.

Book Report!

Book Report!

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We also helped a poor little bird who was stuck on the trailer in the front yard… the kids and I had to tip it up so the poor thing would hop out the back and join its frantic momma.DSCN0874

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We came across a stick insect.DSCN0918

And of course, importantly, celebrated a birthday! HERE Number 5!

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

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Gavin found time to have Aunty Renee teach him how to crochet. Apparently right handed Gavin was frustrated with left handed Mommy.DSCN0951

I managed some time with the bride to be Shandai at her house. Which of course was crafting time and, almost more importantly, KITTY time!DSCN0966

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Add to all this… a guest! CANADIAN and everything. Jeff Davey came down for his yearly visit. It is always lovely to have company from home. And doubly so for Ken to have someone who understands him so well!DSCN0960

it was a good month. And, as I got started writing this, surprisingly more memorable than I expected! DSCN0948

Struthiomimus

An ostrich like dinosaur, the Struthiomimus was a fleet footed beaked Cretaceous period omnivore. Found in western North America, it is a flightless bird like creature and quite the curiosity. Considered one of the fastest of the dinosaurs this ostrich-mimic has been found as a completed fossil in entirety.

Now for the videos!!! First we have a recounting of finding a complete Struthiomimus skeleton.

The second video is a 3D dinosaur video of our dinosaur entitled 3D Dinosaur Adventure – Struthoimimus.

Now for the link list!

  • Dinosaurs.about.com HERE
  • Animal Planet HERE
  • KidsDinos.com HERE
  • The National Dinosaur Museum HERE
  • Online Dinosaur Museum HERE
  • Land Before Time Wiki HERE
  • Wikipedia HERE
  • Our colouring page Raising Our Kids HEREphoto (82)