education

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 43

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #43

We’re off to the Big Apple today to meet one fast and freewheeling bird! These city dwellers live all over the world and are amazingly adaptable! Let’s grab a yellow cab and goooooo!

MEET THE PEREGRIN FALCON!

   Range/Habitat: Worldwide/ coasts, cities, mountains, wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: birds

   Length/Weight: 13 ½-20”/ 1 ¼-3 ¼ lb

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Peregrine Falcons are one of the fastest birds in the world.
  • Peregrine Falcons can reach speeds of up 145 mph.
  • They have the widest distribution of any diurnal land bird.
  • Peregrine Falcons are diurnal (active during the day).
  • Female peregrine falcons are larger than males.
  • They “dive” while flying to catch their prey.
  • Peregrine Falcons often nest in high places, such as skyscrapers, towers and cliffs.

These magnificent birds sure are amazingly fast! Don’t blink because you may miss them. They’re also a great success story! Peregrine falcons were almost wiped out in the Eastern U.S., but with the ban of DDT, they have made a great comeback. We just love that they love to nest on skyscrapers!

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joey the Horse!!

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Joey the Horse!

We had a chance to meet the star of the play “War Horse” and this star is very special! Joey is a horse sized horse puppet who stars in the play about his service during World War I and his young owner who goes on an adventure to bring him home.

Joey and Caption Nichols

Joey and his head puppeteer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadway Atlanta had a special meet and great with Joey, his puppeteers and one of the actors from the play at the Center for Puppetry Arts (one of our favorites).  From the minute Joey walked on stage, we forgot that he was puppet. His ears moved like a horse, his tail moved like a horse and he even breathed like a horse! Edmond was very impressed.  As the actor who plays Caption Nichols talked about Joey, the horse responded to him, even getting upset when he walked up to him face to face.

Joey was made in South Africa and has 3 puppeteers who operate him, two inside the puppet and one at the head. The puppet itself weighs around 100 lbs. The puppeteers must move together and act as one horse! These guys make an excellent horse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOW!!

After we were mesmerized by Joey, the 3 puppeteers came out on stage to tell us more about their special job making Joey come alive!

The puppeteers!

 

Edmond loved hearing the puppeteers talk about being a horse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“War Horse” is coming to Atlanta at the Fox Theater, Sept. 25th– Sept 30th.  You can check out the Fox Theater’s website for tickets. We are definitely going to see it, but will have to bring tissues for Edmond :)! This show is recommended for ages 10 and up. Thank goodness we are just old enough.  And for those of you, who are too, go check it out! It is sure to be an amazing adventure!

 

Categories: Animals, Atlanta, Children, education, plays, Puppets | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

SHARK CRAFT!!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AUGUST CRAFT

    SHARK KOOZIE!!!!

We’re celebrating Shark Week at Ellie and Edmond Headquarters, so for this month’s craft we’re making a shark koozie! This shark’s bite will keep your drink cool! Chomp!! Chomp!! As usual, if you make the craft share your pictures with us on Facebook or Twitter @EllieandEdmond.

Materials:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Koozie (we purchased ours at Michael’s)

Light Blue Fun Foam

Scissors

Hot glue gun

Wiggly eyes

 

Instructions:

1)   Print patterns for teeth & fins (below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)   Cut out two rows of teeth, two side fins, two top fins

3)   Glue teeth around the opening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)   Glue on top fin.

5)   Glue on eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)   Glue on side fins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to recycle your can when you are done with your beverage!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, crafts, education, Environment, nature, oceans, sharks, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SHAAAAARKS!!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SHAAAAARKS!!!

This Watery Wednesday we’re celebrating Sharks, the ocean’s top predators! These amazing animals are often feared, which is sad because they do not deserve such a terrible reputation. They come in all shapes and sizes and eat everything from large mammals to tiny plankton!

SHARK FUN FACTS:

1) Sharks have been on the planet for 400 million years.

2) Some species of sharks have not changed much in the last 64 million years!

3) There are over 400 species of sharks and they are found in every ocean on earth!

4) Sharks can smell 1 drop of blood in a million drops of water!

5) A shark skeleton is made of cartilage, the same tissue that makes up your ears and nose!

6) Whale sharks are the largest species of shark!

7) Some sharks will use thousands of teeth in a lifetime.

8) Bull sharks can live in fresh water habitats.

9) Sharks are covered in dermal denticles. They are enamel covered plates.

10) Sharks have a lateral line that is made up of jelly filled canals. This helps them detect movement or prey.

Sharks are seriously cool! They are also in serious trouble and it’s up to us to help them out! One great way to adopt a shark! No, we don’t mean bring one home!

Check out the for ways to help!

 

  

  

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 43

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #43

We’re taking a hike in Southern Europe to find a lizard that looks like a snake! Yep folks, we’ve heard that there are lizards in the world that don’t have legs! Are you ready to go exploring?

MEET THE EUROPEAN GLASS LIZARD!

   Range/Habitat: Southeast Europe-W. Asia/ dry grasslands, rocky areas

   Diet: Carnivore: slugs, snails, invertebrates

   Length: 3 ¼-4ft

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • European glass lizards are legless lizards.
  • They are grey as juveniles and brown as adults.
  • European glass lizards have movable eyelids.
  • They are diurnal (active during the day).
  • European glass lizards don’t just realize their tails, they shatter it. The tail falls off in pieces in order to fool their predators.

These cool lizards think they’re fooling everyone looking like a snake! They’re not fooling this elephant and horse though! How about you?

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, lizards, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MAMMAL MONDAY # 43

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY #43!

We’re taking the E & E sub to the chilly Arctic Ocean to meet a magnificent and large mammal! Thank goodness they eat very tiny animals! We’ve got room in the sub for everyone, as well as some hot apple cider!

MEET THE BOWHEAD WHALE!

   Range/Habitat: Arctic- sub-arctic ocean

   Diet: Carnivore: plankton

   Length/Weight: 45-59 ft/ 55-66 tons

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bowhead whales are baleen whales and they have the longest baleen of any whale on earth!
  • Bowhead whales have no dorsal fin!
  • They have a massive head. It makes up a third of their body weight!
  • Bowhead whales use echolocation to navigate through the ice flows.
  • They have a bow shaped mouth.
  • Bowhead whales have a very thick layer of blubber to keep them warm.
  • They can live up to 100 years!

WOW, Bowheads are some big mammals! Can you believe that they live for almost a hundred years? That is so crazy!

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

We’re on a Mission! Code Name: Conservation! PHOTOS!

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

The first week of our first photo contest has passed and we have received some great photos from all around the world!

So here they are! If you haven’t submitted yours yet! Get them in! You have til Aug 31st!

From Happiii on Twitter! They’re growing blueberries in the garden! YUM!

From SiberianForrest on Twitter! Energy Conservation in action! MUSH!

From Skylarmoonbeam on Twitter! She’s a beekeeper! BUZZ! BUZZ!

 

From MrBearandRocky on Twitter! Mr. Bear recycles! YAY!

 

From MrBearandRocky on Twitter! Mr Bear is working on his garden! Providing habitats for wildlife!

From MrBearandRocky on Twitter. Mr Bear hugs a cactus! OUCH! 

 

 

You’ve got some stiff competition folks, so get those photos in!

So we’re having a Photo Contest! Starting on Wednesday August 1st and ending Friday August 31st,we’re asking our fans and friends to post your pictures of you participating in conservation!

We want to see you recycling, growing a butterfly garden, going to a zoo or aquarium and reading about conservation, making your own green cleaning products, filling a bird feeder or reusing an item.

These are just some of the many things you can catch on film!

You can post the photos on our Facebook wall or

tweet it to us @EllieandEdmond.

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Animals, Children, conservation, contest, education, Environment, gardens, photography, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 42

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #42

Today’s little bird lives all over the northern hemisphere, so we’re putting on our coats and going to Greenland. We’ve never been to this big island nation, but this little bird was a good excuse to go! Grab your coat and let’s head out!

MEET THE RINGED PLOVER!

   Range/Habitat: Greenland-N Europe-Asia/ wetlands, coast lines, arctic

   Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates

   Length/Weight: 7-8”/ 1 ¾-2 ½ oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Ringed plovers have a collar of white feathers around their neck.
  • They forage for food at night.
  • Ringed plovers have excellent eyesight.
  • They spend their winters on land in wetland habitats.
  • Male and female ringed plovers take care of the chicks.
  • Ringed plovers perform a “broken wing” behavior to distract predators from the nest.

These neat little shore birds are such fun to watch! They’re cute too with their patterns and collar!

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURDSDAY # 42

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE #42

We’re hopping off to the rainforests of Madagascar to find today’s animal! They’re small and green, so everyone keep your eyes peeled and let’s head off on today’s adventure!

MEET THE GREEN MANTELLA!

   Range/Habitat: Madagascar/ rainforest

   Diet: Carnivore: insects, invertebrates

   Length/Weight: ¾-1 ¼ “

   Conservation Status: Endangered

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Green Mantellas are small yellow or pale green frogs with black on their sides.
  • They are diurnal (active during the night).
  • Green mantellas have adhesive disks on their toes.
  • They secrete toxins, similar to poison dart frogs.
  • Male green mantellas use a series of clicks to attract females!

These tiny frogs are gorgeous! They are losing their rainforest homes though, remember you may not think that  recycling cans or paper helps, but it makes a big impact! So keep up the good work!

   

 

Categories: adventure, amphibians, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, frogs, nature, rainforests, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 42

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 42

We’re taking the E & E sub down to the bottom of the ocean floor to find a strange and rare member of the shark family! These sharks are harmless to humans, but their skin definitely makes them not snuggly! Come on aboard and let’s go!

MEET THE BRAMBLE SHARK!

   Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific & W Atlantic/ deep water ocean

   Diet: Carnivore: sharks, fish, rays

   Length/Weight: up to 13 ft/ up t 490 lbs

   Conservation Status: unknown

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bramble sharks are deep water, bottom dwelling sharks.
  • They are considered rare.
  • Bramble sharks have thorny denticles all over there body.
  • They get their name because the thorny denticles resemble the thorns on bramble bushes.
  • Bramble sharks are a purplish-brown color.
  • Bramble sharks are slow moving.

Wow! These sharks are amazing! We really think they are kind of creepy and cool! The ocean floor has so much for us to explore and see!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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