Naturally Wild

Spring Beginnings

The sun is essential to life emerging from the hibernation of winter. Sunlight provides vitamins that are important to human health as well as the health of the environment. Certain animals need the sun to warm up enough to have the energy to be active. Plants need the sun in order to create their food. With warmer temperatures outside and with longer daylight hours, it is more likely that we will see all different kinds of reptiles, insects, and budding flowers. Spring is the perfect time to see all these natural wonders!                                                https://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sun-rays-trees-forest-925576/



Spring is warming up quickly in the upstate and I’ve already spotted lizards and bumble bees! Pick a sunny day to go explore outside and welcome this new season. Reflect on what animals like to be in the sun as much as you do? If you are near a pond, you may see turtles sunbathing on rocks. If you live in a suburban area, maybe you can spot a lizard slithering up a building. Birds are definitely more active this time of year too! Find a nice sunny spot near some trees to sit and listen to how many different birds you can hear signing the songs of spring.
 

The amount of sunlight an ecosystem receives affects not only the animals, but the plants too!  Even the trees can tell which way the sun is shining. North-facing trunks of trees receive less sunlight and look different than the south-facing parts of the trunks. North facing sides of many tress are carpeted in a moss that needs little to no sunlight.

Go on an exploration trek to see how many living organism you can find that thrive on the sunlight. You can tell if they are basking in a sunny spot, soaking up the rays.

 

              

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Try this!

The sun even helps us tell time with shadows. Shadows move as the sun moves. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. When it is directly overhead it is noon. So when the sun is in-between rising and noon it is the am hours and when it is in-between noon and setting in the pm hours. Try tracing your shadow with chalk and watch how, over time, the shadow moves. Create a sundial

to help you tell time with the sun. Whatever you decide to do outside in the sun remember to stay hydrated and protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen, hats, or long sleeves and pants!

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