National Wildlife Week Kick-Off

National Wildlife Week is a signature event of National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There™ campaign.  They advocate for families to get their Green Hour in every day by playing outdoors. I didn’t realize that it’s been “. . . held annually since 1938.” And that,  “National Wildlife Week is National Wildlife Federation’s longest-running education program.”  Here are more suggested activities from the NWF website.

Our family strung a bunch of Green Hours together this weekend for tons of outdoor fun. I thought I share our wildflower an wildlife highlights.

I observed a family sitting on the path by this stream at Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach. After they left, I snapped this photo. The sound of water over the rocks was so relaxing.

My daughter was running – trying to lure me into a game of chase – but I had to stop and get a closer look at this beautiful flowering bush. No time to read the sign, though. Off we went!  We spent over 2 hours exploring the nature center and grounds and didn’t see it all.

After a nice picnic outdoors, we drove from the heart of Huntington Beach to the wilds of south county at Caspers Wilderness Park. I can’t remember ever visiting the Nature Center (open on weekends) and seeing the expansive view from the Observation Deck.

A friendly lizard shedding its skin posed on the red curb for a red carpet style photo.

Our friend, the hummingbird was not nearly so cooperative.  She just didn’t seem to want to sit still.

The usually elusive California Quail, however, jumped right up into the feeder outside the Nature Center and had a snack with a squirrel (see far left).

This beautiful wildflower graced the short loop trail by the Nature Center parking lot.

Grasshopper guys are hard to spot, but at least they sit still for photos.

Woodpeckers are equally hard to spot, although you have the extra hint of tap, tap, tapping on a tree branch. My husband found this guy last time and brought us to the same spot.  We were not disappointed.

This seemed like an invitation to return. The sun moved low and the grass shimmered in the fading light.

I hope you’re inspired to get outdoors and find your own wildlife this week and in the warmer days beyond. You don’t have to go far. Betcha find something right in your own backyard or neighborhood!