A Naturalist is Born

Naturalists Paulo and Kakalina

It all started when the son of the manager of the Cove, LJ, went out and caught the coolest lizard I've ever seen. It had a white and aqua blue body. LJ really liked it and decided to keep the lizard. He kept it over night in his observation catcher. The next day, I found it outside on their steps dead. I was really sad, because I had urged him to let it go so many times, and he said he would, but I guess he didn't.

In the spirit of aloha, I took it upon my self to teach him how to make a science journal and be more like a naturalist. LJ is only 5, but inquisitive, quick, and bright. We cut up an 8 and 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper, and stapled together a small science journal. He made the cover and he became unstoppable.  He caught and brought over for me to observe a cool looking lizard, a carpenter bee, and a a honey bee. Each of these he sketched in his science journal, and then he released them so he could fill up the booklet in one day.

After he noticed that we were feeding the birds, he wanted to catch and release a bird too. I told him about how ornithologists catch and band the bird's leg, and we thought that would be cool to do. He fetched a green plastic tie, and off he went to catch his bird. I thought he would be unsuccessful, and I told him so, not wanting him to be disappointed. I knew it would be extremely difficult, having tried and failed many times myself. I soon learned it was not only possible, but after over 24 hours of trying, he actually caught a baby bird. It reminded me, once again, how we should not underestimate the power of seeing the world through the eyes of a child. That's the beautiful thing about living aloha. When you give it out in the spirit of love and understanding, it comes back to you the same way.

LJ and his Baby Bird

He decided not to band the bird, and let it go soon after making his decision...
the twig was in case it wanted to perch.