EarthWatcher Nature Photos

Right, a Southern Flying Squirrel that
the Pelaez family discovered while
cleaning out their homemade
birdhouse in their N. Oak St. yard.
They had no idea that anything was
living in the birdhouse! Flying squirrels
are endangered in Virginia and are
rare in Falls Church City. Read more
about them at the City's website and
the Virginia Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries website.
(11/2005)

Left, a Gray Squirrel in a Virginia Ave. yard
cleaning his teeth with a little peanut butter
"toothpaste"! Sent in by an Operation
EarthWatch family at St. James School!
(Photo: Brad Mills)

(far left) The Trammell Branch of Four Mile Run after in the
recent snow. (middle left) It's normal for rhododendrons to
curl up in very cold weather, like these are doing; they'll
spring back as soon as it warms up. (above) Any Operation
EarthWatcher knows that this is not a healthy tree -- the
vines growing up the trunk and branches of this Falls Church
City tree are keeping the tree from growing.

These three photos were sent in by Falls Church
City Operation EarthWatch ers John and Neal. (January 2005)

(above) "Last year we bought some new native trees to plant on our
North Oak St. property. The city arborist was very helpful to help us find
quality and healthy specimens. Due to weather we had a short delay in
getting the trees in the ground. When we went to move the Willow Oak it
was discovered that a family of robins had moved in. We were very careful
with the planting after that." These photos were sent in by the Pelaez
family of Falls Church (Operation EarthWatch ers).

(above) Bamboo in a Falls Church yard
in winter. Although it is beautiful,
bamboo is very invasive and can keep
native plants from growing. Instead,
try a native plant that has a similar
look, such as a tall native grass. This
photo was sent in by the Stricker
family (Operation EarthWatchers).

Another squirrel enjoying life in Falls Church! Photo
sent in by the Dutta family (Operation
EarthWatchers).

Above, this is what many trees in
Falls Church looked like after the
cicadas left in the summer of 2004.
Sent in by Cole, a Mt. Daniel
Operation EarthWatcher.