Bookstore at the market

Bookstore Bob will have books, some bird seed and other items from the bookstore at the Farmers' Markets in Lacombe this Friday, Sep 3 and in Red Deer this Saturday, Sep 4. Friday and Saturday are the last times the bookstore will be at the outdoor markets this year.
Drop by and say "hello " to Bob

New Books and Bird Seed Info

New Books-bird feeders

The bookstore has a great inventory of bird feeders in stock. It also has a good supply of bird seed at really good prices. Our sources tell us bird seed prices will go up about 20% by November. For sure, we'll stick to our current prices until November 1.
New Books for Children;
1. I Found a Dead Bird by Jan Thornhill ; it answers the question for children, " why do things have to die."-$12.95 readability ages 9-13
2. - WHY? The best ever answer book about nature? price 12.95 ages 5-11
3. This is my Planet The Kids’ Guide to Global Warming $12.95

In this intelligent, comprehensive look at global
warming, Jan Thornhill gives a young audience the
tools to understand the crisis and empowers readers
to take action in their own lives. This Is My Planet
answers basic questions about how our planet works
and takes an in-depth look at how climate change is
affecting different environments and people around
the world.
Without shying away from facts, This Is My Planet
offers hope, showing where action can make a
difference, and evidence of the amazing resilience of the earth.
Readability ages 9-13.

4. Not Your Typical Book About the Environment by Elin Kelsery, $12.95
Readability ages 9-12. Talks about a world where hope is possible and so much is sustainable-food, energy, cities ,even happiness.

Seen in the Nature Centre

I know I usually post Sanctuary photos, but this particular bit of wildlife somehow made it inside and has made a beautiful web just below a fluorescent light fixture. I suspect that she'll find another place to go soon, because while the web is beautiful it's in a pretty ineffective place. Give it another day or two and I'd imagine that she'll have eaten the web (the ultimate in recycling) and moved on.

This orb-weaver is known as a Jewel Spider or Jewelled Araneus (Araneus gemmoides), and it's one of the largest spiders to be found in Alberta. The one in the photo was a pretty modest size, but female Jewel Spiders can get large enough to arouse a lot of curiosity -- or sometimes fear -- in people who don't realise that we even have spiders that size here.

A few years ago I wrote a more detailed post (with a clearer picture) on Jewel Spiders. If you'd like more information, it can be found here. And if you're worried about finding such large spiders near your home, just remember that they are shy, very rarely bite, and the bite's not serious for humans. And considering the important role they play in the environment as insect predators, finding a few of their webs up in slightly weird places isn't a bad thing.

Edible Mushrooms

Edible Mushroom Presentation, Sunday, August 22, 2010 -200pm at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Join Mike McNaughton as he describes some of the savoury mushrooms found in Central Alberta. Free admission; you may bring your samples to show and to be identified.
For more information call Bob at 403 346 2010

Seen in the Sanctuary

Ducks on West Gaetz Lake

Asters along the Dr George Trail

Mating Damselflies

... and lots of mosquitoes. Please remember to bring insect repellent if you're planning to go for a walk!