Coral Reefs

A coral reef is a collection polyps (tiny marine life forms) skeletons that form together over time. These form the corals that we are used to seeing. However, coral is alive, and makes its own food from a mixture of water and sunlight. Some do feed off the cells of other marine life, using tentacles that grow from them. Many types of fish live in the reefs and hide in the branches of the coral. They feed from smaller fish or eat plankton. The types of fish that live in  the reefs are specially designed to fit in their surroundings. Coral is naturally bright colored, and many fish are too, so of course the reef provides the fish with a great hiding spot. The Purple Stonefish is a good example of marine camouflage and looks just as its name suggest. It sits still and quiet and waits for its prey to come by. More fish like this include the Pipefish, Hermit crab and the Yellow Sunfish. Sadly, the world’s coral reefs may be destroyed by pollution and human interference. Coral reefs are very  fragile bits of nature and could one day vanish. However, efforts are being made to preserve the reefs, and hopefully survive for a long time.

Q. How deep are coral reefs?

A. Coral reefs are usually 150-400 feet deep.

Q Were are coral reefs located?

A. Some of the best known reefs are located in the Caribbean, Japan, Florida Keys and Australia.

Q .If all the coral reefs were put together, what area could it be compared to?

A. The coral reef would be the size of France.   

Links (note:some contain references to evolution)

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/habitats-environment/habitats-oceans-env/coral-reefs/

http://www.defenders.org/coral-reef/basic-facts

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/oceans/coral_reefs.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef

by Artist

Paper soldiers

Another project I have found interesting is designing paper soldiers such as those on Junior General. I found the instructions in their article section. Check them out it’s very cool. The name of the article is MAKING FIGURES IN WINDOS 7 PAINT. This is a great way to learn about the weapons and uniforms of a particular period in history. Currently I am working on a set of US marines to be used in my Battle of Guadalcanal game I posted a while back.  Feel free to print them

                                                  US infantry platoon 1944

This set is just a mix of all the soldiers I’ve created.

 

 

 

My mom’s soldier isn’t it cute? She said that he was the florescent flinger.

Post by Bear

 

THE HINDENBURG

I have been reading about the German air ship Hindenburg it is very interesting reading about its construction and design. Here are a few quick facts.

First flight: March 4 1936

Flights: 63

Length: 800 feet (the same length as a US navy battle ship) 

Diameter: 135 feet

Construction Number: LZ 129

Fate: Destroyed in fire May 6, 1937

   The Hindenburg was a German airship , that took passengers across the Atlantic Ocean to and from Germany. In the 1930 Air ship travel was the way to go as it could cross the Atlantic faster than an ocean liner and in more comfort (less rolling about). The Hindenburg was the Titanic of the air it had luxurious cabins albeit small, delicious food and even a private smoking room. Despite its size only about 10% of all the ship was for passenger or crew use the rest was the steel support frame and the massive gas bags that held highly flammable hydrogen gas.   

     On May 6, 1937 however as the Hindenburg was landing at Lakehurst New Jersey it caught fire and exploded. No one really knows why or how it exploded but probable causes have been but forward such as sabotage static electricity or Saint Elmo’s fire.

READ THE HINDENBURG BY Michael M. Mooney

                        The Hindenburg on test flights 1936

 

 

 

The Hindenburg on fire May 6, 1937

Both photos from Wikipedia

post by Bear

 

Generals

General John J. Pershing

I have been reading a lot about different Generals through American history . My two favorites are George  S Patton and John Pershing. John Pershing was definitely a true soldiers General. He had fought in the Spanish-American war and tracked the famous outlaw Poncho Villa through Mexican  deserts.  However, he is most known for commanding soldiers in World War 1 in France. Here is a sketch I made of him. He is done in graphite, and his hair and moustache were my favorite to shade.

If you wish to learn more about him I definitely recommend it. Most people have not heard about him, but he is quite fascinating. One book to read is John J. Pershing in the Great Military Leaders of The Twentieth Century series by Tim McNeese with an introduction by Caspar W. Wienberger. There is also one on General George S. Patton. 

World War Two

I  have an interest in sketching historical events particularly events from World War Two. Recently I have been trying to fill up my sketch pad with pictures of soldiers. Currently I have been doing a study on World War Two in the Pacific. There are many fascinating books to read on the subject and several movies also. Here’s a quick list of my 10 favorite books and movies of World War Two.

TORA! TORA! TORA! By20th Century Fox DVD  This is a good movie about the events leading up to the air raid on Pearl Harbor Hawaii. I really enjoy this one because it also portrays the Japanese side of the events. The aerial scenes are also very good.

BATTLE OF THE BULGE, By Warner Bros DVD This is my brother’s favorite movie it is a semi fictional story of both German and American soldiers during this crucial battle. It also highlights the battle around Bastogne and the massacre at Malmady.

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, By Warner Bros DVD  Really good video of the battle of Iwo Jima telling the story of the 3 surviving flag raisers pictured in Joe Rosenthal‘s  now famous photograph. This movie does has several violent scenes and curse words are used. 

THE MEDAL OF HONOR, By Miller creek DVD  Tells the story of men in World War 2 who won the Medal of Honor it also has great reenacted scenes and has a section on WW1, Korea, and Vietnam.

INCREDIBLE VICTORY By Walter lord.  This book gives the complete account of the battle of Midway it also has a section of pictures illustrating the battle.

DOG FIGHT! World War 2 aviation art. By James .H. Kitchens &Bernard .C. Nalty.  This is my little brother's favorite book to draw World War Two air planes from. It has over 100 paintings by world famous Military Artists such as Stan Stokes and Robert Tailor.

D-Day By Steven Ambrose An absolutely fascinating book telling the stories of the soldiers Allies and German who fought on the beaches of Normandy France on June 6^th 1944. This one is very high on my reading list, a good read for any one.

Citizen Soldier By Steven Ambrose This book takes up the story where D-day left off. After securing the Normandy beaches the Allies’ are now pushing inland fighting many hard battles on the road to ultimate victory.  St Lo and the Battle of the Bulge and finally the invasion of Germany itself are all told in this account.

Guadalcanal By Dr Robert Ballard tells the unforgettable story of the battle that changed the course of World War Two. After months of fighting on the defensive the allies go on the attack striking at the small island of Guadalcanal ,in the Solomon Islands, that the Japanese were building an airfield on. Also read his Titanic and Bismarck

Victory in the Pacific By Albert Marrin. This book gives a good overview of the entire War in the Pacific from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan. 

    Here are some of my military sketches, plus one of the Hindenburg. My favorites are The Tarawa Marine and the Hindenburg.

A US marine in Vietnam 1968

British general Bernard Montgomery

A German Panzer Grenadier during the Poland campaign  

A thirsty US marine on Tarawa 1944

The Air ship Hindenburg exploding over Lakehurst New Jersey

post by Bear

 

Blue Box Soldiers Collection

My Bluebox Collection

One hobby I have is collecting Bluebox toy soldiers. These soldiers are special because they are molded in metal. I only have 3 sets so far (they are quite expensive ) but it is a goal of mine to one day collect the whole series. Here are their pictures. I bought the Union & Confederate set at a yardsale.

General Patton from the U.S Third Army set.

 

And the Third Army  itself.

General Lee's Confederate Army.

General Grant's Union Army.

Here is a better version of the Third Army. I got this set for Christmas.

By Artist 2014

Christmas

Hey here’s a quick post on Christmas. We had a great time dad cooked 2 sirloin roasts in a pit for Christmas day they were very juicy and flavorful.

This is our Christmas tree isn’t it wonderful? This year we had a cookie contest with the prize of deciding when to open presents going to the winner. We started baking early in the morning everyone had all sorts of creative ideas (except my older brother but what could you expect?) My younger brother decided to do a ginger bread man from A Christmas Carol. My sister wanted to do a puppy dog my big brother a lizard and I a Mercury Redstone rocket. I won the contest and elected to open gifts immediately. I got a remote controlled car so now my brothers and I have drag races on the concrete slab behind our house where our pool is in the summer. We also got some Nerf guns so having shooting matches is also popular.

 

                                          My sister cutting out her dog.

 

 

                                                My older brother cutting what..?

 

 

 

 

                       The winner my Redstone rocket 25 ½ inches long.

                                                                My sisters dog

 

                                                            Chief’s cookie

 

                                             Little brothers Christmas carol cookie.

Art

 I think I will write about one of my favorite subjects. Art. I have always liked drawing and painting things I see in nature, make up and read about. Lately, I have taken back up nature journaling as a hobby, and have spent quite a while looking around outside, trying to find something interesting and new each day. I record these things in one of my water color pads. Its very fun, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves both nature and art. Here are a few of my pictures I have done this week…

I did this monkey in oil pastels

This one is of General George S. Patton, one of my favorite people to read about. He is done in graphite and, to me, actually rather looks like him. I am quite proud of his helmet and face.

 

  This rose was painted in watercolors, and is probably my best  flower I have yet painted. I did a larger version for my mother.

 Guess from which book….

 And this is a watercolor of a WW 1 German aviator. 

post by Artist

Thanksgiving camping

Sorry we haven’t written in a while we’ve been very busy with the holidays and all.

This thanksgiving we went to Lake Catherine state park the weather was cold around 40. Dad roasted a turkey over the fire and we ate it with corn on the cob roasted in the fire, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin and pecan pie. We stayed 3 nights and biked all around the camp ground.

Here are a few photos

                                         A view through the trees on the falls trail loop

The natural gas power plant across the lake from the camp ground

Catherine Falls 25 feet to the top

And a view from the top.

My little brother found this northern banded water snake . This is the latest  time of year we have seen a snake.

My brothers and I at the mouth of a small cave

Post by Bear