For a number of years, friends have been telling me to check out a Nursery in the Reseda / Northridge area. They have some Huge Dinosaurs that I must see, they would say. Unfortunately, no one could remember the name of the Nursery or what street it was located or even the correct city. As a result, I spent a great deal of time driving up and down the wrong streets. Recently another friend mentioned this Nursery. However, this time I was provided with the Name, Address & link to their Website! California Nursery Specialties at 19420 Saticoy just north of Tampa. There are 5 Very Large Dinosaurs that roam among the succulents, the Nursery’s specialty. A T-Rex, Spinosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Triceratops and Stegosaurus guard the grounds.
I was impressed with the Desert Rose – Adenium Obesum. It has a very Prehistoric looking base. Therefore I adopted one with a red blossom. Unfortunately, after I returned home my online search for appropriate care determined the entire plant is poisonous! The Good News is that it doesn’t get too big and I have a couple of high places they can thrive that are out of reach of the dogs & young guests that visit the Park. I found a source for seeds online that contain many other colorful blooms. Lesson learned research unknown plants before purchasing one. There are numerous plants that are commonly found in a garden that are poisonous! A little research online, the library or at your local nursery could save a life.
ReadingtoKids.org theme for November is “Seasons & the Natural World”. The 3rd grade book “The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered the Secrets in the Rainforest” by Heather Lang is very timely with my recent visit to the Nursery with Dinosaurs. The Rainforests existed when the Dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Margaret’s interest in Nature started in Childhood. As she continued her studies, Margaret had to overcome a world dominated by male scientists. Margaret created her own tools using ropes, safety belts and even a sling shot to reach the tops of the trees. Remember, Trees in the Rainforest can reach over 175 feet tall! Margaret discovered a whole New World in the treetops. Insects, spiders, reptiles, mammals not to mention many of the trees and plants defenses, Margaret had to navigate to document her work.
Margaret continues to educate All how the Rainforests are critical to Our Planets survival. Our crafts are making our own rainforest and documenting plants & animals as Margaret has showed us. I drew around the outlines of tree leaves and sketched some plants at the Park. Of course my Rainforest like those of Millions of Years Ago have Prehistoric Animals – Allosaurus & Pteranodon. We used jute to represent the Ropes and Canopies Margaret used to get around in the Trees. I had a number of trees and plants that needed pruning & thinning that provided the materials for our crafts. All the unused materials returned home as compost for the Park. The kids enjoyed the book and dove into the craft!
Stay Tuned for More Makeovers, Crafts & Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Check out Your nearest Natural History Museum. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks (New Ones above). I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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