National Moth Week

 July 20-28, 2013 is National Moth Week. Doesn't sound too exciting, does it? I wasn't particularly keen on it until I heard a few more of the details.

Turns out this is a huge citizen scientist effort, and there are activities in every state and many countries during the week. Some are geared at collecting moths, while others are fun hikes that might include seeing moths.

From the National Moth Week website:

"Why moths?

• Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth.
• Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species.
• Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
• Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day.
• Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.

   National Moth Week provides a much-needed spotlight on moths and their ecological importance as well as their incredible biodiversity.  National Moth Week offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths. Numerous organizations around the world have partnered with National Moth Week and are supporting the event. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, National Moth Week participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe."

I had a chance to see some really cool moths during the recent Arachnid BioBlitz (post coming soon, some info in the Ely Times). The photos above and below are two that were attracted to a black light and landed on the white sheet next to it.

Then I decided to put up a sheet on the clothesline, attach my black light to it, and see what showed up in my backyard. Within an hour of sunset I saw nine different moths! Now I just submit my photos and I'll find out what they are. For the meantime, here's a glimpse of the moths and my own creative names for them (if you know what any of these are, please leave a note in the comments; I will be trying to figure these out a little more and sure could use some help!):

My technique: shine a black light at a white sheet

Snowy moth (very hairy near mouth)

Nasty clothes eating moth (this is the moth I squish in my house)

Golden-winged moth

Golden-winged moth with eye shine

Black banded moth

Delicate brown moth

Marbled cheesecake moth

Six-spotted moth

Skinny moths and back-striped moth

Here's your challenge: spot a moth (or two or ten) this week and take a close look at it and give it your own name.

Blast Off!

 Last weekend my husband got to lead the science experiment: a rocket launch. We drove down to one of the ranch fields for the launch, because he said it could go quite far and he also didn't want to set anything on fire. So we went near the center of a recently cut pivot and assembled the launching platform.

 The kids were so excited!

 My husband assembled the rocket out of various things. The guide for putting it onto the launch tower was a plastic straw glued onto the rocket.

 Then all the wires had to be attached to the launch site and the launch control box. This was definitely high tech.

 Preparing for launch! Desert Girl even has some upside-down eye protection.

The launch was a little faster than I was ready for with the camera. The rocket hissed and then took off far into the air. On the way down, close to the ground, the parachute came out, but didn't slow the rocket much. We went over to it (near the edge of the pivot, so it was good we had a really big area to work in!), and this is what we found:

One imbedded rocket! Fortunately it was good for another launch. This time it ended up going in the other direction. We have some work to do to make this more predictable!

p.s. Desert Survivor has a Facebook page, and it would be great if you'd "Like" it if you have a chance. Thanks!

A Beautiful Wedding

 What's summer without a wedding? This summer one of our nieces was getting married, and she asked if Desert Boy would like to be ring bearer (he didn't at first, but warmed up to the idea) and if Desert Girl would like to be a flower girl (once she heard a pretty dress was involved, she was all in).

 The flower girls were all darling.

 Desert Boy really liked being ring bearer and getting all dressed up and standing with the big guys. I didn't watch him walk up the aisle because I was keeping an eye on the flower girls, but I heard he waved at a few people and put on his best smile.

 Here the bride gives her dad a hug.

 The weather cooperated for the outside wedding, thank goodness.

 During the short ceremony, the flower girls couldn't help but get a little distracted. Hopefully they weren't too distracting to everyone else!

 And then Kori and David were married and walking down the aisle as husband and wife. They both looked fantastic!

 Aunt Tana gives the girls a hug.

 Then Desert Girl sees her friend Ella and they can't help but show off their beautiful dresses to each other. The moment was priceless!

 Soon it was time for formal pictures. Here's one for the outtakes--I love Desert Girl's expression.

 While we were waiting, we got a quick family photo.

 Happy bride, grandfather, and parents.

 I wish I could have heard what was being said here!

 This photo turned out cute as the flower girls looked for Kori's bright red shoes.

 Cousins!

 This was another posed photo that came out cute.

 The guys seemed to be a little more serious...at least for a little while!

 Brothers!

 Desert Girl was being a real imp so I couldn't resist a few more photos.

 Sometimes she cooperated.

 But by the time we tried for another family photo, both kids were tired of photos.

 That is, until Henry got to be involved. He even had his own red bow tie.

 Happy girl!

 This was a very-well photographed wedding!

 Desert Girl wanted to be Lola the rest of the time.

 Desert Boy had taken off his suit jacket and put on his junior ranger vest. Not sure why, but my kids love to accessorize!

 Ruby was ready for fun!

 Now the junior ranger vest is off and cupcake eating is about to commence. The food was delicious.

 Before long it was time to dance (in more comfortable footwear!).

We all had a great time and wish the bride and groom a long and happy life together!

The Red Cabbage Juice Science Experiment

 We have gotten behind on doing our science experiments, as Desert Boy has repeatedly reminded me. So we finally made time this week to do the red cabbage juice experiment. I had bought red cabbage months ago, and we ate half of it. The other half has been sitting in the refrigerator for months. Fortunately red cabbage keeps really well.

The Red Cabbage Juice Indicator Experiment
Red cabbage juice contains flavin (anthocyanin), which is an indicator of pH. If something acidic (low pH) is put in the red cabbage juice, it turns pink. Something basic (high pH) makes it turn greenish. Something neutral (around pH 7) leaves it purple. (pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14).

Step 1: Boil a small pot of water (about 2-3 cups) and put cut red cabbage in the water. Boil for 10 minutes. Then strain and keep the juice.

Step 2: Get four test tubes (or glasses or jars). Find some common household ingredients. We chose vinegar, lemon juice. washing soda and baking soda.

Step 3: Have the kids make a hypothesis of which items are basic and which are acidic. Remind them of what color acids and bases will make the cabbage juice turn.

Step 4: By this time the cabbage juice should have cooled enough that you can pour it into your test tubes. Don't fill them too high.

Step 6: Add a little of your first ingredient to the cabbage juice. We found a funnel to try to minimize the mess.

Step 7: Watch what happens. If the color doesn't change, add a little more. You might need to stir. You also might need to lift a little water to see what tint it is.

Step 8. Repeat steps 6-7 with all your ingredients, seeing if your hypotheses are correct.

 The kids were really good at taking turns pouring in our test liquids and powders. They were very excited because it felt like real science to them. (Test tubes are pretty awesome that way!)

 We ended up with vinegar and lemon juice turning our cabbage juice pink and washing soda and baking soda making the water greenish.

It was so much fun, and we had enough cabbage juice left over, that we decided to do our experiment again with different ingredients.

 This time around we used apple juice, milk, salt, and cream of tartar. Any guesses on what pH these have?

This was a fun, simple experiment. And since we didn't knock it over, the clean-up time was minimal.