Got Nature? "Missouri Conservationist" and Missouri Department of Conservation "Xplor" Magazines Do – For Free

One of the benefits of belonging to a Show-Me State household is receiving free magazines from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

For almost two decades, my family and I have looked forward each month to receiving the monthly Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) in the mail. "The Missouri Conservationist" is a glossy 34-page magazine dedicated to “serving nature and you.”  

The cover (like the one from March 2014) and inside photos are bright and lovely, and the contents are even better. My husband keeps up with the state’s current hunting and fishing regulations and calendar. I enjoy reading articles about Missouri’s flora and fauna. Here’s a link.

For the past several years we also have subscribed to the every-other-month "Xplor," “adventures in nature,” free (34-page) magazine for our grandson. He (and we) have learned a lot about nature from "Xplor" magazine. 

An article appeared in the October/November issue on “Missouri’s Vampire Hunters,” (leeches, ticks, mosquitoes, bats, and the red-footed cannibalflies). The same issue featured the ever-fascinating article, “Survive a Zombie Apocalypse,” which gave instructions on hot to: light a fire, build a lean-to, gather food, and find water. Informative and fun!

Missouri households can subscribe online at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/9087

Don’t live in Missouri? Non-Missouri households can download the magazine for free.

Happy reading!

Angry Momma Birds Protect their Nests in the Sizzling Heat

With record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures lately, it's not easy to stay cool. Yesterday I was out shopping for a few more birthday gifts for my husband, who is celebrating a big birthday today. (Happy birthday, Honey!)

Running from store-to-store in my air-conditioned car zapped my strength. I was happy to get home and have a large glass of iced tea.

Outside, the lawn is turning brown and my flowers are wilting. The birdbath, which has been moved under a tree for more shade, is a popular place for not only birds, but also wasps and bees. Too bad it's not bigger or I might be tempted . . .

Amid all this heat and humidity, I've found two maternal heroes - a momma robin and a momma mourning dove. While watering plants and flowers, I'm trying to avoid disrupting them from minding their nests.   

Momma Mourning Dove has taken residence in a hanging planter on my front porch. Momma Robin is caring for her eggs in the lilac bush beside the porch.

Today when I tried to get some photos of their nests, I got a tad too close and they let me know about it.  Momma Robin screeched and dive-bomed until I backed up while Momma Mourning Dove hopped on the roof and called for help. So, I retreated to the porch and took some shots from a safe distance. Momma grizzlies got nothing on angry momma birds.

So, while the heat is taking a toll on humans, at least we have our air conditioned retreats. Heroic momma birds seek out cool, shady spots while they vigilantly await the birth of their chicks. I'm awaiting the birth of the hatchlings too, but I'm keeping a safe distance.