CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON EXHIBIT

Mother Earth's "LIFE CYCLES" Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Houston will exhibit through June, July and August  2012.  Here are some photos from my recent visit there.  The museum did a great job of displaying these six different series (Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Swallowtail Butterfly, "Sunflower" Patchwork Butterfly,Sphinx Moth, IO Moth and Lady Bug)!

DEER

Deer in a backyard wildlife habitat area are a good sign that the ecosystem in general is still in place.  The smaller species, including plants, are needed to keep the whole intact.  Because of their size, deer also need a larger hiding place for themselves and their young ones.  I am especially fortunate since I live inside a heavily human populated city circle.  With more of the surrounding plots of land being destroyed and turned into apartment buildings, along with the heavy traffic on surrounding streets, it is only a matter of time before the larger creatures are all gone.  So, for now, I enjoy watching their beauty and grace in this natural backyard wildlife habitat.

EGGS

Eggs for most tiny creatures are the first stage of their life.  Once the mother insect has selected the best location which will provide the food needed for her babies, most eggs are left to develop and hatch on their own.  Some are laid in clusters, while others are laid singularly.  Here are a few photos of various eggs I have found in my backyard wildlife habitat.   

MATING (Parental Approval Suggested)

Mating is a natural and necessary exchange for almost every living creature on earth.  It ensures the continuance of each species. Their dances of seduction and acceptance are fascinating to observe.  Extinction of a species can only happen when there are no more pairs (male and female) to pro-create their kind.  Here are a few of those intimate moments captured in photos from my backyard wildlife habitat.  

BIRDS

A Backyard Wildlife Habitat will attract many birds, from the smallest birds who eat only flower nectar, to the larger predators, to those who "recycle" dead carcass'.  Each have their own unique purpose in our earth's ecosystem.  Many add a wide variety of color and beautiful songs when they visit.  Here are photos of just a few of my bird visitors.

COOL Caterpillars

Caterpillars are sooooo cooool!  An assortment of sizes, colors, patterns, shapes, tiny feet, freckled bellies and funny faces.  Some are soft and smooth, others translucent, and my favorite...the fuzzy fur balls.  No matter their appearance while still a caterpillar, each of them will soon experience an amazing transformation into winged moths and butterflies.  Here are a few who visited my Backyard Wildlife Habitat.