Daisy Chains

We had to pick and make a daisy chain. It was not easy to make one. I was getting grumpy because I couldn't make the cut in the stalk of the flower to put the piece through.

I counted the petls on three different flowers. 1 had 21 the other 25 and the last one had 28 petals on it

 

 on this side of the photo, you can see the petals I took off the flowerhead. It was very hard to count them being so small

This is a closeup of the chain. you can see where we used our nails to cut into the stalks and put the stem through

This is a close up photo of a daisy I picked. I like the brightness of the yellow middle 

BINGO! Get to know a tree

 

What to do

1. Choose a tree

Head into your backyard and choose a tree 

This is a kowhai tree. I had to do some activities for boys brigade so have a bark rubbing, leaves and flowers from the tree we have in the garden.

2. Record your observations

What animals do you notice in and around this tree? We have heard bellbirds, tui's and seen lots of wax eyes in the tree. Mum said the wood pigeons love being in there too. Under the tree is chickens as it is on the edge of the chicken run

Record any interactions between animals and the tree. Look closely for birds and insects on the branches, trunk, and in the surrounding soil.

Consider:

• What reasons would the observed animals have for visiting or living on this tree? The bellbirds, tuis, and pigeons love to eat the nectar from the flowers. The chickens would use the tree to hide in the shade on a hot day. 
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• What else do you notice about this tree?  The flowers are yellow and drop down in bunches. the leaves on the tree are very small and in lines the bark is smooth it's a young tree. Mum said they turn a very dark brown colour almost black colour when very old. When Mum was younger she had three in her yard and used to play and climb in them when the birds weren't in them Pigions used to love them and dive bomb her when flying around the tree
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• Would you notice different things around this tree at different times of day? I think in the mornings it would be more busier with birds waking up
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• Would you notice different things on different days and over the coming weeks. On a wet day, I don't think you would see much. i don't like coming out in the rain so why would birds On a fine day they would be plenty happening the birds would be extra hungry from hiding in the rain
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• Would you notice different things about this tree at different times and over the coming weeks? As the birds go from flower to flower they would eat all the nectar and then be nothing left the birds will leave the tree alone

Conservation Week Bingo

For conservation week we have a bingo board to fill in. This is my something down low. It was to wet to go outside but I found this or mum found this first.

Yesterday while Mum was in my room she found a honey bee on the window sill. It probably flew in on the weekend when the windows were open. It looked pretty sad so we gave it a sugar-water drink and then put it outside on the porch by the kitchen. Mum said the water should give it some energy to be able to fly away back home.

It was really cool to see one up close. I was reading a book yesterday with my reading group about a man who photo's bugs and insects in his garden. This reminded me of that.