nature – Charles County Public Library

Discover the Great Outdoors!

marianne — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:41 +0000

Welcome to the start of summer! The first day of summer is June 20 this year, but I’m sure you have already seen and felt how beautiful it is outside. Sometimes, even when it’s beautiful outside and prime play-outside weather, we have so much fun on our iPads or watching our favorite shows on TV that we forget about all of the fun and beauty of our world. Well, June is National Great Outdoors Month, which is an important reminder for us to love our planet, connect with nature, and explore all of the beautiful, diverse landscapes, mountains, seas, trees, and beauty that the outdoors shares with us.

Did you know that Great Outdoors Month started as just one week? In the year 1998 (I know, it sounds so far away…I promise it wasn’t!), former president Bill Clinton designated a week in June, but in recent years, more than half of the states in the US have dedicated a whole month to discovering and appreciating the outdoors. Within Great Outdoors Month are lots of fun, specific days to celebrate the outdoors, such as National Trails Day on June 1 and National Get Outdoors Day on June 8.

To celebrate Great Outdoors Month, I would like to share five facts about nature and share fun activities you and your family and friends can get into in THE GREAT OUTDOORS!

Cool Facts about Nature

Trees are so important for our breathing! Just one tree releases more than 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Imagine how much oxygen is in a forest!
Trees and forests make up 80% of the shelter for wild animals. Think of all the deer, squirrels, and other animals that live in the woods. The trees protect them from the weather and predators.
Mountains are on every continent. The longest mountain range is over 40,000 miles long and 90% under the ocean! Can you imagine a mountain underwater? This is called the Mid-Ocean Ridge and wraps all the way around the world.
“Leaves of three – don’t touch me!” Poison ivy and poison oak are all plants that seep out an oil that makes you itchy if you come in contact with it. They are pretty plants and easy to want to touch, but if you remember this rhyme, you may save yourself an itchy time!

Picture of poison ivy

The total amount of water on Earth remains constant because of the cycle of water – condensation, evaporation, and precipitation!

The Water Cycle

I hope you learned something interesting about nature and what it has to offer. Now, after reading all of that, you may just want to run outside and get some fresh air, which is awesome! But first, I’ll share with you some fun things you can do outside this summer to celebrate National Great Outdoors Month.

Biking – Biking is a great way to get fresh air, exercise, and be a part of nature! While you ride, you get to see, hear, and smell all different kinds of animals and environments.
Hiking – Do you love to walk and climb? Hiking is very fun and is a great form of exercise. A lot of hikes are on trails near mountains, so you might discover some land, plants, or animals you’ve never seen before!
Outdoor lunch – One way to experience and enjoy the outdoors is to have a picnic with your family and friends! You can go to your favorite park or a new park, lie out a blanket, eat sandwiches or snacks, and play games.
Playing sports – Playing sports is a fun and exciting way to get outside! You can run around and play tag with your family and friends, play basketball, soccer, or even go swimming! All of these physical activities you can do outdoors, get that vitamin D from the sun, and have lots of fun being in nature.
Camping – Camping is very exciting and different because this time, you get to sleep in the great outdoors. You can cook and eat outside (especially s’mores!), set up a tent, tell stories at a campfire, and explore the different land, plants, animals, and water that are around you. You will get to hear the sounds of the mountains or forest while you sleep–maybe you’ll hear an animal or insect you’ve never heard before! How cool!

WOW! We learned so much about the great outdoors that I think, with your guardian’s help, you can get outside, learn more about nature, appreciate the outdoors, and have an absolute blast!

Here are some awesome books and movies about the Great Outdoors, so please have fun, and Happy National Great Outdoors Month!

Exploring the Great Outdoors by Mercer Mayer

Little Critter and his classmates take a field trip into the woods to study their natural surroundings. They see little bugs, big trees, and lots of animal tracks. There’s so much to see and do and explore! Little Critter discovers that there are plenty of surprises in store when it comes to the great outdoors.

Curious George – Fun with Animals and Great Outdoors

Curious George. Fun with animals: Leaky faucet/George loves a parade — Cuckoo cockatoo/A bunch of ballooney — George and the guide dog/Whatever floats your bost — Blowin’ in the wind/George’s noisy new neighbor — Jurassic George part 1/Jurassic George part 2 — Duck helper George/George’s new home — George gets the hiccups/The trash cam — Over the edge/A rose by any other name.

Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq; illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Excitedly joining her family for an outdoor camping trip in a Midwestern state park, Fatima Khazi helps set up a tent, build a fire, and fend off a daddy longlegs before settling down to sleep surrounded by the near-magical sounds of the forest.

Rick & Rack and the Great Outdoors by Ethan Long

Rick the raccoon and Rack the moose spend a day fishing, tracking wild animals, and canoeing on a lake.

The Highlights Book of Things to Do Outdoors: Explore, Unearth, and Build Great Things Outside

“Seek, imagine, write, draw, observe, make, create, connect. This book is all about kindling your curiosity and taking adventures in the great outdoors.”

-Page [4] cover.

All of Me is Nature: Exploring My Five Senses Outside by Ashley Renee Jefferson; illustrations by Kristiana Vellucci

There is no better way to learn about our five senses than stepping outside! Follow kids of all colors, genders, and ability levels, as they explore nature with their fingers, toes, noses, ears, and taste buds. Written as a sweet poem that will become an anthem for all nature explorations, these beautiful full-color photographs show how we can sense and experience nature everywhere.

Watch Out for Invasive Plants!

webadmin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:00:05 +0000

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How Can a Plant be Invasive?

Invasive plants displace native plants through rapid spreading or preventing native flora from receiving the necessary light, water, or nutrients they need to survive. Invasive plants can affect the plants around them, and they can also make big, detrimental changes to the ecosystem, such as suffocating a tree. This thereby transforms a shady area into one with full sun, which deprives plants of shade and animals of a place to shelter. They can damage the soil, create erosion, and be poisonous to wildlife. Invasive shrubs and plants not suited for warmer climates can also dry out and create an increased risk for fires.

The best way to create a healthy ecosystem and prevent invasive plants from taking over your property is by buying native plants from nurseries and garden centers and removing invasive plants when they appear.

Common Invasive Plants to Watch Out For

Border Privet

Typically planted as a boundary or privacy shrub, the fast-growing Border Privet can grow up to 20 feet tall. They produce a small berry with seeds that can be spread by birds.

Oriental Bittersweet

A climbing vine, the Oriental Bittersweet quickly spreads and ensnares neighboring shrubs and trees, suffocating them. They can create a falling branch/tree hazard if not dealt with. It’s best to pull them up at the root before they can produce fruit and spread further.

Lesser Celandine

Rapidly growing groundcover, Lesser Celandine is one of the first flowering plants in Spring, draining the soil of nutrients before other established native plants and perennials wake from dormancy. This plant also alters the PH levels of soil and makes it harder to grow other plants in the area. It’s very hard to remove once established.

Kudzu and English Ivy

Taking over the Southeast of the United States, kudzu vines can grow up to a foot a day and quickly take over roadsides and unmaintained forests. English Ivy is commonly seen growing on the sides of fancy houses and manors, but it can weaken masonry and it spreads so thoroughly that it can prevent trees from receiving enough sunlight to support themselves. The leaves and berries are toxic to humans.

Learn More about Native Plants From our Collection

Native Plants of the Northeast: a Guide for Gardening & Conservation by Donald Joseph Leopold

“No other single volume on native plants has such comprehensive horticultural coverage as Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation. Nearly seven hundred species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the United States and all of eastern Canada are included. Of course, the natural ranges of many of the plants extend beyond this area, and the book is an essential resource for everyone interested in gardening with native plants of all kinds, as well as those who need the information provided here for habitat restoration and enhancement of biodiversity for the sake of conservation.” “Natural plant communities of eastern North America are described, providing a foundation for the choice of plants for different areas and climates – or a variety of sites in the garden – as well as for restoration of native plant habitats. Illustrated throughout with color photographs, the encyclopedic portion of the book includes practical advice on cultivation and propagation in addition to descriptions, ranges, and information on hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations and for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Written from the unique perspective of an author who has professional credentials in horticulture, botany, forestry, and ecology as well as hands-on practical experience, this book is the most trust-worthy single source for all who wish to cultivate native plants.”

–Jacket

Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Gardens by Douglas W. Tallamy

In Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy encourages the use of native plants in gardening. This book asks and answers questions for modern gardeners inclined to good stewardship. How can we adjust our planting palette to be both beautiful and envitonmentally useful? How much more does a local oak species contribute to habitat richness then an out-of-ecological-context exotic tree? What do violets and fritillary butterflies, or pawpaws and zebra swallowtails have in common? Where might tomorrow’s species come from?

Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed

This guide is intended to help in the selection of native plants for habitat restoration and natural landscaping projects. All the plants occur naturally in the parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Calvert County Native Plants: Recommended Trees & Shrubs

Image Attributions

CCPL Staff Picks: Backyard Birds

webadmin — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 11:00:55 +0000

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More wildlife can be seen as winter melts away, bringing spring and then summer. Try your hand at bird watching and sketch what you see; remember to be quiet, so you won’t scare away the birds. After all your bird watching, try to identify some of the birds seen with these great books about the birds around us.

*CCPL Staff picks are chosen by CCPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We’d love to hear your ideas too, so write to us and tell us what you’d recommend!*

10 Birds That You Can Find in Your Backyard

Common Name: Baltimore Oriole

Scientific Name: Icterus galbula

Common Name: Blue Jay

Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata

Common Name: Northern Cardinal

Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Common Name: Northern Cardinal

Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Common Name: Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus

Common Name: Tufted Titmouse

Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor

Common Name: American Robin

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius

Common Name: Mourning Doves

Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura

Common Name: Northern Mockingbird

Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos

Common Name: Pine Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga pinus

Books All About Birds

Curious Critters Maryland by David FitzSimmons

This book introduces children to animals commonly found in Maryland.

Backyard Birds by Jonathan P. Latimer & Karen Stray Nolting

Describe the physical characteristics, behavior, voices, and habitats of a variety of common birds, arranged by their color. Includes the Peterson System of identifying birds by their unique markings.

Birds by Pamela Hickman

This beautifully illustrated, comprehensive book is all about why birds are such an important part of the wildlife food chain. In this fourth book in the Nature All Around series, young readers will learn all about birds’ body parts, life cycles, habitats, and more before going on a journey through a year in a bird’s life.

Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds Through Pictures, Poems, and Stories by Jane Yolen

A family of dedicated birders presents an illustrated tribute to birds featuring a combination of scientific facts, folklore, poems, and songs.

The Extraordinary World of Birds by David Lindo

A family of dedicated birders presents an illustrated tribute to birds featuring a combination of scientific facts, folklore, poems, and songs.

Birds by Ben Hoare

Find out how birds from around the world fly, feed, sense the world, communicate, build nests, protect their eggs, raise chicks, keep their feathers in top condition, defend themselves, and travel in search of food and nesting sites.

Birds by Carme Lemniscates

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and have much to teach us.

Backyard Birds of Summer by Carol Lerner

Describes primarily those species of birds that are tropical migrants visiting the North only during the nesting season. Includes suggestions for attracting birds to one’s yard.

Backyard Birding For Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology: Field Guide, Projects And More! by Erika Zambello

Become a young ornithologist. Learn all about the scientific study of birds. Author, birder, and outdoors researcher Erika Zambello presents a kids’ introduction to bird-watching. With fascinating information for beginners, the book provides readers with an understanding of bird anatomy, life cycles, habitat, and 60 species of backyard birds!

Birds From Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick

Guess which bird each colorful close-up belongs to, then turn the page for the answer and some fascinating facts about that animal. Two final pages add to the fun with a quick look at other extraordinary birds and their interesting body parts – from the tops of their heads to the tips of their tail feathers.

The Beak Book by Robin Page

Birds around the world has so many amazing kinds of beaks! There are short beaks and long beaks, straight beaks and curved beaks, flat beaks, and even spoon-shaped beaks. But what do all of these beaks do? Discover how beaks of different shapes and sizes are adapted to help birds sip nectar, make nests, battle for mates, and more!

Magnificent Birds by Narisa Togo

From the bird of paradise that performs an extravagant courtship dance in the rain forest to the bar-tailed godwit that flies thousands of miles across the ocean without stopping, readers can learn about incredible birds from all over the world with this strikingly illustrated gift book. In stylish linocut prints, Narisa Togo captures the beauty of both rare and familiar winged creatures from every part of the globe.

Blue Jays by Lisa J. Amstutz

Full of color photographs introducing blue jays.

Every Day Birds by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Young readers are fascinated with birds in their world. Every Day Birds helps children identify and learn about common birds. After reading Every Day Birds, families can look out their windows with curiosity–recognizing birds and nests and celebrating the beauty of these creatures!

Bird is the Word

webadmin — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:00:51 +0000

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Hello to my fellow birdwatchers out there! I grew up learning about birds from my grandparents and helping them feed them, and collecting feathers from the ground for crafts. To this day, I always delight in seeing what lands on my feeders.

How to Attract Birds to Your Feeders

Offer a variety of food in different kinds of feeders
If you put out suet cakes for birds, only do it in cooler weather, as suet tends to melt and can go bad when it is hot out.
There are birds that don’t eat seeds at all, like bluebirds and orioles, so put out fruit (orioles) or mealworms (bluebirds)
If you want hummingbirds, mix 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar in a hummingbird feeder, and don’t dye the water as that can harm the birds.
Make sure you clean your feeders regularly and don’t put them out in bushes or other areas where predators can hide to try and catch the birds eating their dinner.
There are suet feeders, tray feeders, finch or nyjer seed feeders, and peanut feeders, all of which attract different birds. Try a couple out and let us know what or who came to dinner.
Water is just as important as food, so put out a bird bath and make sure to clean that as well.

Different Kinds of Birds You Might See on Your Feeder or In Your Yard

General Song Birds

Sparrow

Cardinal (male)

Finches

Goldfinch (male)

Woodpeckers/Flickers

Downy Woodpecker

Yellow Shafted Flicker

Hummingbirds

Ruby Throated Hummingbird (female)

Check Out These Books in Our Catalog About Birds and Bird Watching

Sibley Birds East by David Sibley

For the Birds by Anne Schmauss

Birds of Maryland, Delaware and The District of Columbia by Bruce M. Beehler

Backyard Birdsong Guide by Donald Kroodsma

Web sites Used In This Post

Feed the Birds

webadmin — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 12:00:13 +0000

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February is National Bird Feeding Month! According to nationaltoday.com, this designation was given on February 23, 1994, when Congressman John Porter (R – Illinois) petitioned, ‘‘I would like to recognize February, one of the most difficult months in the United States for wild birds, as National Bird-Feeding Month. During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive. This assistance benefits the environment by supplementing the wild bird’s natural diet of weed seeds and insects.’’

So, on wintery days when you don’t want to go out in the cold, here’s a way to enjoy bringing nature closer, but not inside. Bird watching and feeding is a hobby that doesn’t take a lot of fancy equipment. Generally, some kind of bird feeder and bird food, and if you’d like, a pair of binoculars and a bird book, are all that is needed.

Unless you already have unsalted sunflower seeds or peanuts (in or out of the shell – either is fine), you will probably need to purchase bird food. It is readily available and comes in a number of varieties, any of which will do.

For a feeder, you can either get creative and make one from a pinecone slathered with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed, or by cutting a plastic bottle and filling it with seed, or you can purchase one. (If you cut a bottle, keep the lid on it or the seed will fly out the side).

If you are new to bird feeding, it might be a good idea to get an all-in-one pressed-food feeder. This way, you don’t have to buy separate food and a feeder, and you can start your new hobby right away.

Once you have food and a feeder, you’ll need to think about where to hang it. The bane of most backyard birders is squirrels. Squirrels are hungry, and when someone hands out free food, they are not going to wait for permission before they dig in. So, if you hang your feeder from a tree, be warned that the squirrels will try to eat as much as the birds do. If you have a free-standing plant hanger, this might be a good alternative; just make sure the feeder hangs high enough and far enough from a tree that a squirrel can’t make a flying leap to it.

As the birds start to come, you may want a bird book to identify what you are seeing. There are several choices available through the library. Here are some of the ones that you might want to check out:

The Art of Bird Identification by Pete Dunne

Slow Birding:The Art and Science of Enjoying Birds in Your Own Backyard by Joan Strassmann

Many birders travel far and wide to popular birding destinations to catch sight of rare or ‘exotic’ birds. In Slow Birding, evolutionary biologist Joan E. Strassmann introduces readers to the joys of birding right where they are. In this inspiring guide to the art of slow birding, Strassmann tells colorful stories of the most common birds to be found in the United States–birds we often see but might not have considered deeply before.

Birds of North America: Eastern Region by Fred Alsop

Provides illustrations helpful for identification of hundreds of birds native to the Eastern region of North America.

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America edited by Jon L Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer with Paul Lehman

Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology: Field Guide, Projects, and More! By Erika Zambello

Whichever feeder you choose and whatever food you put in it, have fun watching the birds flock to it. If the squirrels get to it, sit back and laugh at their antics. Flip through a bird book and learn something new about these colorful winged friends. Enjoy a few minutes to watch nature and to know that you are helping the birds on what otherwise might be a cold, hungry day.

Amazing Bats

webadmin — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:00:41 +0000

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Bats get a bad rap from the whole blood-sucking vampires turn into a bat myth. Bats really do so much for the environment from insect control to ensuring pollination of many of our favorite foods. Check out these great bat books and facts!

10 Amazing Bat Facts

There are over 1,200 species of bats in the world.
Bats live in groups called colonies. The largest colony in the world can be found in the Bracken Cave system of San Antonio, Texas. The colony is made up of over 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats. They call the cave home from March to October.
Bats resemble birds but are actually mammals.
Bats are the fastest mammals in the world. The Mexican free-tailed bat has been clocked at reaching speeds of 100 mph.
Having a bat house in your backyard not only gives them a home, but it helps you with pest control. Bats eat their body weight in insects per night. Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour.
Bats don’t just eat our unwanted pests, but they are also great pollinators. Over 300 different species of fruits and vegetables depend on bats to offer their pollination services.
Bats are the only mammal that actually flies rather than glides like the flying squirrel.
Bats vary in size. They can be as small as a bee or as big as a small dog.
Bat babies are called pups.
Have you heard of the saying “blind as a bat”? While some bats have limited sight, most bat species have better sight than humans. Only the smaller bat species use echolocation as their primary means of the location. Echolocation is the ability to detect objects by sensing their echoes by bouncing sound off of them.

Books

Bats at the library by Brian Lies

Bored with another normal, inky evening, bats discover an open library window and fly in to enjoy the photocopier, water fountain, and especially the books and stories found there.

Little Bat up all day by Brian Lies

Little Bat has to know. What is daytime like? He has lots of questions about what happens while bats are asleep. Where do the stars go? And just who’s awake in the daytime, anyway? Luckily, Rusty, the squirrel is there to show him around. But can Little Bat stay awake all day? And how is it possible for two animals, one nocturnal and one diurnal, to be friends? Join Little Bat and Rusty as they discover how to stay connected–no matter what time of day it is.

Brilliant bats by Laaren Brown

Full of cool facts about bats, from how they fly to their super senses to how they sleep upside down!

Fly Guy presents : bats by Tedd Arnold

Learn all about bats with Fly Guy! It’s time for a field trip! Fly Guy and Buzz are going into a bat cave to learn all about bats. With straightforward text, humorous asides, and kid-friendly full-bleed photographs throughout, young readers will love learning all about these nocturnal creatures.

Bats by Gail Gibbons

There are about 1,100 different kinds of bats, and they live on every continent except Antarctica. The book offers an intriguing look at some of the many different kinds of baths, their amazing abilities, and how these mammals fit into the natural world.

Bat citizens : defending the ninjas of the night by Rob Laidlaw

An innovative full-color work about bats biology, habits, and history, and the bat conservation efforts of young people around the world.

The secret life of the little brown bat by Laurence Pringle

This gorgeous and lyrical nonfiction picture book follows a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators, and find a mate. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story.

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

After she falls headfirst into a bird’s nest, a baby bat is raised like a bird until she is reunited with her mother.

Never, not ever! By Beatrice Alemagna

When Pascaline, a little bat, screams “Never, Not Ever” in response to going to school, something extraordinary happens, which changes her mind.

Chasing bats and tracking rats : urban ecology, community science, and how we share our cities by Cylita Guy

Gripping narrative non-fiction with STEM and social justice themes that proves cities can be surprisingly wild places–and why understanding urban nature matters. What can city bees tell us about climate change? How are we changing coyote behavior? And what the heck is a science bike? Featuring the work of a diverse group of eleven scientists–herself included!–Dr. Cylita Guy shows how studying urban wildlife can help us make cities around the world healthier for all of their inhabitants. In the process, Guy reveals how social injustices like racism can affect not only how scientists study city wildlife, but also where urban critters are likelier to thrive. Sidebars include intriguing animal facts and the often-wacky tools used by urban ecologists, from a ratmobile to a bug vacuum. Cornelia Li’s engaging illustrations bring the scientists’ fieldwork adventures to life, while urban ecology challenges encourage readers to look for signs of wildlife in their own neighborhoods.

Megabat by Anna Humphrey

Daniel Misumi has just moved to a new house. It’s big and old and far away from his friends and his life before. AND it’s haunted … or is it? Megabat was just napping on a papaya one day when he was stuffed in a box and shipped halfway across the world. Now he’s living in an old house far from home, feeling sorry for himself and accidentally scaring the people who live there. Daniel realizes it’s not a ghost in his new house. It’s a bat. And he can talk. And he’s actually kind of cute. Megabat realizes that not every human wants to whack him with a broom. This one shares his smooshfruit. Add some buttermelon, juice boxes, a light saber and a common enemy and you’ve got a new friendship in the making! This charming, funny story is brought to life by Kass Reich’s warm and adorable illustrations. There’s never been a bat this cute–readers will be rooting for Megabat and Daniel from page one!

A boy called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises — some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter. But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet.

Bats : learning to fly by Falynn Koch

In Bats, we follow a little brown bat whose wing is injured by humans on a nature hike. He is taken to a bat rehabilitation center where he meets many different species of bats. They teach him how they fly, what they eat, and where they like to live.

The bat book by Charlotte Milner

Discover why these mammals are essential to the world we live in, learn just how much they matter, why they are under threat, and what we can do to help. Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations accompany fascinating fun facts about these furry flying mammals in this adorable kids’ book.

Bats by Jennifer Zeiger

This book examines the behavior and habitats of bats.

Feeding our Flighty Friends: How to Invite Hummingbirds into Your Yard This Summer

webadmin — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 11:00:06 +0000

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Summertime brings fun for everyone, including those in the animal kingdom! One of the most entertaining guests in a summer backyard is the hummingbird. Here are some tips to help keep these adorable creatures coming back to visit.

Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

The best way to attract hummingbirds to your yard is by putting up a hummingbird feeder. These feeders can come in many shapes and sizes.

When choosing a hummingbird feeder, be aware that hummingbirds are not the only creatures who will love to drink the nectar! Other visitors may include ants and bees. To deter ants from invading, look for a feeder that has an ant moat. If you would prefer not to have bees and wasps around, one tip is to avoid choosing a feeder with yellow coloring. Bees and wasps are drawn to yellow more than they are to red.

An ant moat, like the one circled in the image above, can be filled with water and will create a blockade against ants.

Filling Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird nectar can be purchased in many stores, but if you prefer to make your own, the recipe is easy.

Simply bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then dissolve 1 cup of sugar into the water. Remove from the heat and LET COOL before filling your feeder. Different quantities can be prepared with this 1/4 sugar to water ratio.

You will want to replace the nectar once it starts to get cloudy, which means it has been out in the sun too long and has started ferment.

Finding a Place for Your Hummingbird Feeder

When deciding on a place for your feeder, the most important thing is to ensure the hummingbirds will be safe. Keep the feeder out of reach of any outdoor pets or other predators. If your feeder is next to a glass window, consider placing window decals on the panes so that the hummingbirds will know the glass is there and will not bump into it. Placing your feeder in the shade will preserve the nectar longer.

Enjoy!

Don’t be discouraged if hummingbirds do not start flocking immediately to your feeder. It can take a while for them to find it, but once they do, you may have difficulty keeping up!

You may find other visitors appreciating your feeder too!

Hummingbirds: A Life-size Guide to Every Species by Michael Fogden, Marianne Taylor, Sheri L Williamson

The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible by Christopher Perrins

Celebrating 5 Years of Nature & Birding Walks!

webadmin — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:00:10 +0000

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We could say that time flies just as fast as the birds we love to watch or as fast as when we go outdoors for an uplifting walk together! As the old adage goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” Indeed, truer words were never spoken! Check out the video below for a look back at all of the amazing birds and nature we’ve seen throughout the years.

Did you know that you can learn more about birds by checking out our KANOPY digital media service? Would you like to go on a digital “expedition”? Click the links below and enjoy!

Make a Birdhouse & Storytime at Laurel Springs Park

webadmin — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:00:19 +0000

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Please join us for Make a Birdhouse Story time in the Park. We will read several books all about spring and then a special guest from Wild Birds Unlimited will give tips on feeding the birds. Available for pick up will be DIY Birdhouses and paints and paintbrushes. The DIY Birdhouse kit will contain everything you need to make one of three types of available birdhouses in the comfort of your own home! Kits are first come, first served and while supplies last!

Laurel Springs Park: 5940 Radio Station Rd, La Plata, MD 20646

More about the Mobile Library

Pop-Up Library services include Wi-Fi access, public computer access, copying & printing, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for check out.

If you have any questions about Mobile Library stops or Mobile Library programs, reach out to the Mobile Library staff at mobilelibrary [at] ccplonline [dot] org or visit our Web page!

Commitment to Safety

All CCPL staff members are required to wear masks and practice social distancing, and we ask that all visitors to our Mobile Library and Outreach Van stops do the same. All library materials are quarantined for 48 hours, and all services and exchanges of materials are contactless. All staff follow and practice enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols that have been in place in our branches and Mobile Library vehicles since Phase 1 of our Reopening process.

CCPL Staff Picks: Nature Books for All Ages

webadmin — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 12:00:20 +0000

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*CCPL Staff picks are chosen by CCPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We’d love to hear your ideas too, so write to us and tell us what you’d recommend!*

Check out CCPL’s recommendations for some great books on Nature from Hoopla. These publications were chosen for their quality of content and accessibility in digital format – so you do not have to leave home to enjoy these great reads!

Nature All Around: Bugs by Pamela Hickman, Carolyn Gavin

Part of the “Nature All Around” series

A fascinating introduction to the bugs all around us.

There are twice as many insects in the world as all other animals combined. They’re everywhere … if we know where to look! This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to ants, honey bees, dragonflies and more! It covers their basic body parts, life cycles and habitats. It explains which bugs can be found in each of the four seasons, and where. And it includes a beginner’s bug-watching guide with a series of questions to help kids identify insects in their communities.

New and longtime insect-watchers will be buzzing for this one!

Nature All Around: Plants by Pamela Hickman, Carolyn Gavin

Part of the “Nature All Around” series

The perfect introduction to plants.

From crowded cities to open prairies, deserts to wetlands, plants grow everywhere! This comprehensive introduction will open children’s eyes to the plants that surround them and their importance to all of our lives. First, it explores plant parts, life cycles and growing zones. Then it brings children up close to nature by taking them on a season-by-season tour of what plants are doing throughout the year. And for hands-on experience, there’s an interactive Q&A guide to help plant sleuths identify what they’ve spotted.

Sure to inspire budding naturalists to stop and observe the wonders growing all around them!

The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things – Stories from Science and Observation by Peter Wohlleben

Part 3 of “The Mysteries of Nature Trilogy” series

The final book in The Mysteries of Nature trilogy by the New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben.

Nature is full of surprises: deciduous trees affect the rotation of the Earth, cranes sabotage the production of Iberian ham, and coniferous forests can make it rain. But what are the processes that drive these incredible phenomena? And why do they matter?

In The Secret Wisdom of Nature, master storyteller and international sensation Peter Wohlleben takes readers on a thought-provoking exploration of the vast natural systems that make life on Earth possible. In this tour of an almost unfathomable world, Wohlleben describes the fascinating interplay between animals and plants and answers such questions as:

How do they influence each other?
Do lifeforms communicate across species boundaries?
And what happens when this finely tuned system gets out of sync?

By introducing us to the latest scientific discoveries and recounting his own insights from decades of observing nature, one of the world’s most famous foresters shows us how to recapture our sense of awe so we can see the world around us with completely new eyes.

The Natural Navigator: The Rediscovered Art of Letting Nature Be Your Guide by Tristan Gooley

Part of “The Natural Navigation” series

Before GPS, before the compass, and even before cartography, humankind was navigating. Now this singular guide helps us rediscover what our ancestors long understood-that a windswept tree, the depth of a puddle, or a trill of birdsong can help us find our way, if we know what to look and listen for. Adventurer and navigation expert Tristan Gooley unlocks the directional clues hidden in the sun, moon, stars, clouds, weather patterns, lengthening shadows, changing tides, plant growth, and the habits of wildlife. Rich with navigational anecdotes collected across ages, continents, and cultures, The Natural Navigator will help keep you on course and open your eyes to the wonders, large and small, of the natural world.

The Joy of Nature Photography: 101 Tips to Improve Your Outdoor Photos by Steve Price

Part of the “Joy of” series

The best tips anyone can use to take better outdoor pictures.

Nature and the outdoors provide us with exceptional beauty year-round. Now, author and professional photographer Steve Price has put together a collection of tips, tricks, and pointers for any photographer-amateur or pro-to take and develop excellent outdoor and wilderness photos. The Joy of Nature Photography is an informative, entertaining, and easy-to-understand book that will help you take your best nature pictures, no matter where you are.

Broken into eleven chapters, this book combines technical know-how and real-life examples to offer tips that cover all the basics of photography. Each tip is carefully explained, and every chapter features stunning photos by the author to demonstrate particular methods. The Joy of Nature Photography will help anyone hone their skills as an outdoor photographer, and it provides experienced wisdom on topics such as:

Choosing your equipment
Composing your image
Shooting with a smartphone
Special wildlife photography techniques
And more!

From taking photos of leopards in Africa to grizzlies in Alaska, and from using the latest zoom lens to snapping a quick pic with your phone, The Joy of Nature Photography will give you the tools and knowledge you can use to capture the beauty of the wilderness and wildlife you love.

Nature All Around: Birds by Pamela Hickman, Carolyn Gavin

Part of the “Nature All Around” series

The perfect resource for budding bird-watchers.

Because birds can be found in every neighborhood, and in all seasons, they’re an excellent choice for piquing children’s interest in wildlife. Here’s a comprehensive guide to birds that makes the perfect starting point. Beautiful pages explore many different bird species and their fascinating and unique characteristics, from feathers to eggs and nests. A year in the life of birds explains what to look for, season by season. And the beginning bird-watcher section helps kids get started in the field.

Birds of a feather? More like, birds of every feather here! Kids will be grabbing their binoculars to spot them all around!

The Big Book Of Nature Activities: A Year-Round Guide To Outdoor Learning by Jacob Rodenburg, Drew Monkman

The average child can identify over one thousand corporate logos, but only ten native plants or animals-a telling indictment of our modern disconnection from nature. Soaring levels of obesity, high rates of ADHD, feelings of stress and social awkwardness, and “Nature Deficit Disorder” are further unintended consequences of a childhood spent primarily indoors.

The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium features:

Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling, and the judicious use of digital technology
Ideas, games, and activities grounded in what’s happening in nature each season
Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach
Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America…

Perfect for families, educators, and youth leaders, The Big Book of Nature Activities is packed with crafts, stories, information and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun. Jacob Rodenburg is the Executive Director of the Camp Kawartha summer camp and outdoor education centre. As well as publishing numerous articles on children, nature and the environment, he has worked in the field of outdoor education for twenty-five years. Drew Monkman is an award-winning environmental advocate, naturalist, and retired teacher. In addition to his weekly nature column, Drew is the author of two season-based nature guides, including Nature’s Year.

Mountain Nature: A Seasonal Natural History of the Southern Appalachians by Jennifer Frick-Ruppert

The Southern Appalachians are home to a breathtakingly diverse array of living things–from delicate orchids to carnivorous pitcher plants, from migrating butterflies to flying squirrels, and from brawny black bears to more species of salamander than anywhere else in the world. Mountain Nature is a lively and engaging account of the ecology of this remarkable region.

It explores the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians and the webs of interdependence that connect them.Within the region’s roughly 35 million acres, extending from north Georgia through the Carolinas to northern Virginia, exists a mosaic of habitats, each fostering its own unique natural community. Stories of the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians are intertwined with descriptions of the seasons, giving readers a glimpse into the interlinked rhythms of nature, from daily and yearly cycles to long-term geological changes. Residents and visitors to Great Smoky Mountains or Shenandoah National Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or any of the national forests or other natural attractions within the region will welcome this appealing introduction to its ecological wonders.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World by Julia Rothman

Part of the “Julia Rothman” series

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws

The ultimate guide to nature drawing and journaling! A potent combination of art, science, and boundless enthusiasm, the latest art instruction book from John Muir Laws (The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds) is a how-to guide for becoming a better artist and a more attentive naturalist. In straightforward text complemented by step-by-step illustrations, dozens of exercises lead the hand and mind through creating accurate reproductions of plants and animals as well as landscapes, skies, and more. Laws provides clear, practical advice for every step of the process for artists at every level, from the basics of choosing supplies to advanced techniques. While the book’s advice will improve the skills of already accomplished artists, the emphasis on seeing, learning, and feeling will make this book valuable – even revelatory – to anyone interested in the natural world, no matter how rudimentary their artistic abilities.

nature – Charles County Public Library

Discover the Great Outdoors!

Cool Facts about Nature

Exploring the Great Outdoors by Mercer Mayer

Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq; illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Rick & Rack and the Great Outdoors by Ethan Long

All of Me is Nature: Exploring My Five Senses Outside by Ashley Renee Jefferson; illustrations by Kristiana Vellucci

Watch Out for Invasive Plants!

How Can a Plant be Invasive?

Common Invasive Plants to Watch Out For

Learn More about Native Plants From our Collection

Native Plants of the Northeast: a Guide for Gardening & Conservation by Donald Joseph Leopold

Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Gardens by Douglas W. Tallamy

Further Reading

Image Attributions

CCPL Staff Picks: Backyard Birds

10 Birds That You Can Find in Your Backyard

Common Name: Baltimore Oriole

Common Name: Blue Jay

Common Name: Northern Cardinal

Common Name: Northern Cardinal

Common Name: Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Common Name: Tufted Titmouse

Common Name: American Robin

Common Name: Mourning Doves

Common Name: Northern Mockingbird

Common Name: Pine Warbler

Books All About Birds

Curious Critters Maryland by David FitzSimmons

Backyard Birds by Jonathan P. Latimer & Karen Stray Nolting

Birds by Pamela Hickman

Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds Through Pictures, Poems, and Stories by Jane Yolen

The Extraordinary World of Birds by David Lindo

Birds by Ben Hoare

Birds by Carme Lemniscates

Backyard Birds of Summer by Carol Lerner

Backyard Birding For Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology: Field Guide, Projects And More! by Erika Zambello

Birds From Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick

The Beak Book by Robin Page

Magnificent Birds by Narisa Togo

Blue Jays by Lisa J. Amstutz

Every Day Birds by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Bird is the Word

How to Attract Birds to Your Feeders

Different Kinds of Birds You Might See on Your Feeder or In Your Yard

Check Out These Books in Our Catalog About Birds and Bird Watching

Sibley Birds East by David Sibley

For the Birds by Anne Schmauss

Birds of Maryland, Delaware and The District of Columbia by Bruce M. Beehler

Backyard Birdsong Guide by Donald Kroodsma

Web sites Used In This Post

Feed the Birds

The Art of Bird Identification by Pete Dunne

Slow Birding:The Art and Science of Enjoying Birds in Your Own Backyard by Joan Strassmann

Birds of North America: Eastern Region by Fred Alsop

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America edited by Jon L Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer with Paul Lehman

Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology: Field Guide, Projects, and More! By Erika Zambello

Amazing Bats

10 Amazing Bat Facts

Books

Bats at the library by Brian Lies

Little Bat up all day by Brian Lies

Brilliant bats by Laaren Brown

Fly Guy presents : bats by Tedd Arnold

Bats by Gail Gibbons

Bat citizens : defending the ninjas of the night by Rob Laidlaw

The secret life of the little brown bat by Laurence Pringle

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Never, not ever! By Beatrice Alemagna

Chasing bats and tracking rats : urban ecology, community science, and how we share our cities by Cylita Guy

Megabat by Anna Humphrey

A boy called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

Bats : learning to fly by Falynn Koch

The bat book by Charlotte Milner

Bats by Jennifer Zeiger

Feeding our Flighty Friends: How to Invite Hummingbirds into Your Yard This Summer

Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

Filling Your Hummingbird Feeder

Finding a Place for Your Hummingbird Feeder

Further Reading