This little critter has been hard for us to identify. We found him and put him in our magnifying jar so we could take a really good look at him. I have never paid much attention to the differences between katydids and grasshoppers but now after identifying this guy, I know so much more about it.
This is what is called a Chapparal Katydid.
From the Handbook of Nature Study, page 343:
“I love to hear thine earnest voice
Wherever thou are hid,
Thou testy little dogmatist,
Thou pretty katydid,
Thou mindest me of gentle folks,
Old gentle folks are they,
Thou say’st an undisputed thing
In such a solemn way.” -Holmes
From page 344:
“The katydids resemble the long-horned grasshoppers and the crickets. They live in trees, and the male sings “katy did” by means of a musical instrument similar to that of the cricket.”
There is lots more information about katydids in the Handbook of Nature Study on pages 343-344.
Here is a little graphic my son made on the computer showing complete metamorphosis. Katydids go through incomplete metamorphosis. (see page 298 of the Handbook of Nature Study)
Dear Barb,
What an inspiration you are! I love your nature blog!!! Your son’s computer drawing of the metamorphosis was terrific! I’m assuming that was the “Paint” program? May I ask what sort of camera you use? The pics are awesome!!!
Blessings,
Krista
We have tons of katydids around our area. I found a HUGE leaf-looking one on our porch not long ago. He has been back a few times. We also had a really large praying mantis that hung out on our house for a week or so not long ago… and a huge grasshopper. Bugs are cool, eh? 🙂 We are raising a leopard moth caterpillar. They look like Wooly Bears. I’m enjoying your photos and clips from your nature book. Maybe one day we can buy it.
Hi Barb,
Your new blog here has been such an inspiration to me! We’ve been trying to spend time out everyday in some way. The kids mostly want to ride their scooters. I live in a suburb and struggle to find nature that interests them enough to draw in their nature notebooks.
Yesterday, I thought, why don’t we draw our dove that we rescued and raised? She is now full grown and still with us because she injured her wing when she fell from her nest. I excitedly took out HNS last night to prepare for today and there is no info on ring neck doves in it. I’ll have to rely on other books, I guess, but I so wanted to utilize my big HNS!
How often do you have your kids make nature journal entries? What if they complain and balk at it because they don’t feel they draw well enough?
Thanks so much, Barb.
Blessings,
Betty
Betty,
I have added some blog entries about nature journals and such to the sidebar on this blog. I encourage you to read those entries to see how I handle nature study with my children.
Also, just an idea, instead of trying to find a specific bird in HNS, why not go to the beginning section on birds and learn about how birds fly using your bird as a model? Pages 33-35) Or you could learn about eyes and ears of birds by reading pages 38? The HNS isn’t really meant to have *all* the specific birds listed but it will give you activities to get you started with a subject you encounter.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Barb,
That’s a GREAT idea! We actually did do some of that with our chickens (yes we have 5 hens now–one turned out to be a rooster so he had to go). I know I didn’t cover all the sections about birds. I’ll go back and try that.
We try to bring as much nature as we can to our home. We have a small yard, but nice neighbors who don’t mind our hens as of yet. We have a dove, a small parrot, a hamster, and a hedgehog. We all decided we’re not ready to draw the hamster or the hedgehog yet.
I’ll look at your other links. Thanks for visiting me too!