Butterflies and moths belong to the same scientific order Lepidoptera, which means "scale-winged" in Greek. Their wings are covered in thousands of tiny scales that overlap, creating colors and patterns. While they share some similarities, such as their winged appearance and life cycle, they also have many differences. Here's a breakdown of their …
Fun Nature Stuff - Things to Do and See
Try some of these fun, nature-based activities. You'll find gardens to visit, things to do outdoors, interesting facts about fungi and other unique things found in nature.
How Do Frogs Survive in Winter? By Freezing!
Have you ever wondered what happens to the frogs in your backyard in winter? From 64 degrees during the day to 20 degrees at night, the following day is a dramatic change. Frogs are cold-blooded animals and derive their body temperature from the air surrounding them. So, at 20 degrees, will they freeze and die? Don’t worry – frogs have a way …
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A Visit To Gibbs Gardens: Acres of Daffodils Bloom in Spring
From early March to mid-April, you can see acres of daffodils blooming at Gibbs Gardens in North Georgia. The fields of cheerful white, yellow, and orange flowers are a perfect way to kick out those winter blues. We picked a warm, March day to drive to Ball Ground, Georgia, to visit the 250+-acre gardens. The sun was shining, the warm air was …
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5 Family Friendly Outdoor Activities
Getting outdoors to enjoy some fresh air, to get a little exercise, and to find something beautiful in nature that makes us smile can be so important. So gather up your family and get outdoors! Try one of these five outdoor activities to explore your backyard, your neighborhood, or just about anywhere! 1. Become a citizen scientist and explore …
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden — The Best Christmas Lights Display In Atlanta
Driving through different neighborhoods to see their Christmas lights is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas. It’s a family tradition – my parents took us kids and now we take our kids. The colorful light displays give me the warm fuzzies. When I saw the promo for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, I …
What is that Smell? Stinkhorn Mushrooms in the Garden
If you step outside one day to find a powerful stink in your freshly-laid mulch or new plants and you don't have a dog, a stinkhorn mushroom might be to blame. This unobtrusive fungi can pop up in wood chips, grass, or soil and they produce a very strong odor. Just like their name implies, stinkhorns produce a stink not unlike fresh …
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