Mystery Animal of the Day

With woeful heart, Mama gnome relates this Mystery Animal is endangered and according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this animal is "believed to have undergone a decline exceeding 50% over the past 30 years (approximately three generations)."

It is one of the smallest marine mammals and one of the cleverest as well for it is quite adept at using rocks to crack open its favorite meal, the sea urchin.

Unlike other marine mammals which have blubber for protection, this animal relies on its very dense fur for warmth and repelling water.

It is also undoubtedly one of the cutest animals Mama gnome had ever seen up close.

If you guessed sea otter as the Mystery Animal, Mama gnome gives you a big hug and invites you to join her in the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21, 2013.
 
 photo by : Mike Baird

An adult sea otter can grow up to 1.2 to 1.5 m (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 10 in) in length and weigh from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb).

Its fur is usually brown but can also range from yellowish brown to almost black.

The sea otter sheds its fur gradually all year allowing the animal to maintain its thick fur which is vital for survival in the cold ocean waters.

The sea otter has a thick, somewhat flat tail which helps propel it in the water.

The otter can swim up to 5.6 mph or 9 km per hour. When it swims underwater it keeps its body long and streamlined and while above water it usually floats on its back quite easily, thanks to the the trapped air in its thick fur, making it very buoyant.

Besides its power of buoyancy and cuteness, sea otters are vital for maintaining kelp forest ecosystems.

Without sea otters, sea urchins population will grow rampant and what is bad about this?

Sea urchins eat the root systems of kelp forests so if the otters are not there to keep them in check, sea urchins will thrive and eventually kill the kelp forests leading to urchin barrens.

Here is a video of sea otters working hard to save our kelp forests.

 

video by: BBC

Sea otters' population is decreasing. They are threatened by oil spills, predators, disease, and conflict with fisheries.

Mama gnome would like to float in the ocean, buoyed up by her gnomish folds, bang on a rock just for the heck of it, and say, please help our sea otters continue to thrive and live in our kelp forests.

Please help in your own human way every day and stay green.

(c) friendlygnome.blogspot.com

Earth Day 2013

Mama gnome has not tended her gardenblog as much as she ought to.
Young gnomelets take up her time day and night.
But mother gnome would still like to share with you the gnome family's Earth Day endeavor for this year.
It swelled up her old gnome heart for it allowed her time to spend with one of her favorite earth creatures...trees.
The gnome family spent Earth Day 2013 with some of her favorite humans as well...Treepeople.

(c) friendlygnome.blogspot.com 

On this day, Treepeople, the gnome family, and other humans planted trees and tended to the young treelings that were already there.
The gnome family and their human family team had to prepare the tree root ball by teasing out the roots, smoothing them out and making sure the roots didn't wrap around so when the tree grows, the roots will be growing and spreading out as much as they should.

(c) friendlygnome.blogspot.com

 Mama gnome was giddy for the tree root smelled wonderful. The young tree we planted was a bay tree and this rootball smelled like bay leaves. Mother gnome's nose tingled and she smiled.

Who knew that one of the secrets of planting trees was the use of small feet to stamp down the earth around the spot where the tree was planted to compact the soil around the young tree.

(c)friendlygnome.blogspot.com 

Gnomes and humans had to haul big buckets of water back and forth to water all the newly planted trees plus all the other treelings.

After the planting, mulching, weeding, raking, and watering, the gnome family and humans settled down for a lunch box provided by the Treepeople.
Mama gnome ate a scrumptious veggie sandwich and a refreshing salad and...Mama gnome couldn't believe how big the cookie was! It was bigger than her hand.
Mother gnome assures you she had no trouble making that cookie fit in her mouth and in her stomach eventually.

After all the work was done, the humans left but not the gnome family. Mama gnome had heard from a treepeople person that there was actually a river nearby even though we couldn't see it from where we were. This was enough for the gnome family to explore and find the mystical river.
First we encountered horseshoe prints on the path.

Then we clambered up a hill to this chainlink fence and lo and behold this river made by humans.

Young gnomelets whooped and hollered with joy. Mama gnome and daddy gnome looked at each other and smiled. What a wonderful treat to find this.
Of course young gnomelets were not content to look from far away, the gnome family scrambled and ambled slowly and carefully down to the river's edge and was even more surprised to see these...

Can you spot the ducks in flight?

 Crane and ducks had no trouble getting along.

The river and vegetation merged beautifully along this spot.

Daddy gnome and young gnomelets were happy to spot this foxtail growing so well along the river's edge.
Such a picturesque spot don't you think. Now what would mar this vision?
Mama gnome's bane of her existence, Plastic Bag Monster, had its minions in the river as well.

This is part of what drives Mama gnome and the gnome family to battle several times a year against Plastic Bag Monster and its minions.

This is the young tree, the gnome family helped plant. We will visit her soon to see how she if faring.

Mama gnome hopes you would join the gnome family and become tree guardians as well.
Please make everyday an Earth Day and drive Plastic Bag Monster to eternal oblivion, and go green.

(c) text and all pictures friendlygnome.blogspot.com

Let the Trees Chase your Cares Away on Earth Day 2013

Earth Day 2013

Mama gnome crouched down as she rummaged in the trunk by the bed. She was busy looking for gnomelets' trusty battle garments.
Yes, the gnome family will be going to battle once more this year for Earth Day 2013.
Battle plans had been drawn, perused over, and agreed upon by all members of the gnome family.

This Saturday, April 20th, at precisely 0600 hours, the gnome family will pile into the trusty gnome car and traverse the lands to participate in tree planting, weeding, mulching, sweeping, cleaning, and any other ing activities involved in forest rehabilitating with the human group, well named as Treepeople.

Mama gnome looks forward to Earth Day every year and indeed she urges you to participate in any way you can and perform a single act of green. Visit earthday.org to find more information.

As one of Mama gnome's favorite humans, John Muir, said, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

Please make every day an Earth Day, let all your cares be chased away by the trees...and go green.

(c) friendlygnome.blogspot.com

video by NASAexplore

Earth Hour 2013

Mama gnome invites you to join the gnome family and countless humans who will celebrate Earth Hour 2013.

This Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 8:30 p.m. please turn off your lights and all non-essential appliances for an hour.

Hmmm. What to do for an  hour without power?
How about a romantic candlelit dinner?
How about a rousing game of shadow puppets?
How about letting nature take over like in this video.



video from: earthtouch


Here is Earth Hours' video



video by: earthhour

How will you spend your earth hour this year?
Take the challenge and go beyond the hour. Spend your time being green.

(c) friendlygnome.blogspot.com

Spring Visits the Gnome Garden

A wonderful hello to you all who have come to visit this mother gnome once again.
Please forgive Mama gnome's tremendously long absence from her garden.
It is terribly awful of Mama gnome to have neglected her garden for so long.

Spring has visited the gnome garden and the blooms have come out to greet her.
Here is a beautiful redbud tree which the gnomelets love to play by and visit.

Young gnomelets have made a nest in her branches as you can see here with a gem as a ruse for an egg.

They wanted to see if a bird might take lodging in the nest but their experiment has not been successful.

The pear tree has also greeted spring with white blossoms.

Mama gnome hopes to be more mindful of her garden this year. Hopefully you will come again to visit her too.

Spring has come and the cycle of life renews.
Please let spring visit your garden and live your life green.

(c) photos and text friendlygnome.blogspot.com, Mama gnome