Memorial Day Weekend Frog Jumping Contest!

Here are just some of the Photos coming in from Memorial Weekend.  We had a great time at the frog Jumping Contest!

There was a TON of FROGS! Actually, I think we added up almost 60 frogs and a lot more people.

Mark explained the rules and then.......

The frogs were RELEASED!

Everyone was cheering their frog on!

Mendota Hills Frog jumping contest started sometime in the late 70's or early 80's and have continued every Sunday in the summer ever since.  It is a fun (and slimy) time.   If anyone has any more pictures they would like to add of any time at the camp, just email me (jamie7787@aol.com) and we'll put it up.  Thanks again

Thanks!

Thanks to EVERYONE who came out to the work day on April 4th! Mendota hills appreciates every single person who helped out. We would have more pictures but obviously it was work day and as you can see this group doesn't stop for any breaks : ) A ton of work was completed and without the large showing, wouldn't have otherwise been able to be completed. Thanks again!

Friday Night RV Show!

Hey Everyone! This weekend we are at the RV Show in Rockford, IL and have met a lot of great people so far. We are trying to update when we can so these posts will be short. If you have visited us at the Show and played the Frog Jumping Contest, Click on this to see your picture. http://froglogrvshow.blogspot.com/ .Thanks everyone for your continued support!

Female Ruby-throated hummingbird

Female Ruby-throated hummingbird

Correct us if we are wrong, but so far this is a female ruby-throated hummingbird. The male will have a dark ruby colored throat. Thanks to Mendota Hills Seasonals on the swimming lake, this was taken on their humming-bird feeder, as these birds enjoy insects and nectar. These birds get their name from the "humming" noise that their wings make at 50-60 flaps...per second. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards. They usually construct their nest with plant material and spider webs, gluing pieces of lichen on the outside for decoration. Best interesting fact: Their heart beats around 1,260 times a minute and they take around 25o breaths a minute! (check out others in Nature archive on sidebar)

Work Day! April 4th

Hey, Just want to let everyone know that there is a planned workday for Saturday April 4th, 2009 for anyone that wants to participate. Planned work projects include:Raking, painting, staining, cleaning, and many more specific projects. If you are interested, just show up (maybe with rakes or paintbrushes!) and join along for the fun. Potluck will be following also so you can enjoy a free meal afterwards. Thanks for your continued help and hope to see you there!

Muskrat

Muskrat

This muskrat was spotted on the Third Lake. Muskrats usually eat cattails and other vegetation but can also eat frogs, crayfish, and fish. They are unique "water" animals and can stay underwater for 15 minutes. They have the bodies like seals and use their tail for propulsion. They either build lodges, like a beaver, or burrow in the ground with underwater entrances. They are sometimes confused with the beaver, however a muskrat is around 1-4 lbs whereas a beaver is 30-88 lbs. interesting Fact: Muskrats get their name from a musky smell they mark the territories with. (view nature archive on sidebar (#10)

White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a common bird in Illinois, especially to bird feeders. These birds have the ability to hop headfirst down tree trunks, which helps them to see insects and eggs that other birds miss. It can be compared to the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Interesting Fact: "Nuthatch" comes from English moniker "nuthack", referring to the bird wedging seeds into crevices and "hacking" it open.