12 Coolest Caves

Reed Flute Cave - Guilin, China 

Located in the Guangxi region of southern China, the Reed Flute Cave is a natural limestone cave over 180 million years old and known for its multicolored lighting. It has over 70 inscriptions in the cave, some dating back to 792AD.


Luray Caverns - Virginia

Discovered in 1878, the Luray Caverns is the largest cave in the eastern US where visitors can see bizzare formations like the "Throne Room", "Giant's Hall" and "Fried Eggs".


Green Grotto Caves - Jamaica

A large labyrinth limestone cave located near Discovery Bay, is named for the green algae covering its walls. The caves are historical rich from the first Jamaicans, to the takeover of the English, to the two world wars.


Carlsbad Caverns - New Mexico

Below the rugged ground of rocky slopes, shrubbery and cactus lies 118 caves in the Carlsbad Caverns. The caverns host the Big Room which is the third largest chamber in North America and the seventh in the world.


The Baths - Virgin Islands

Giant boulders brought to surface by volcanic eruption are scattered about forming tranquil pools, tunnels, arches and beautiful grottos.


Ruby Falls - Tennessee

Ruby Falls located within Lookout Mountain, is Americas highest underground waterfall at over 1120 feet below the surface.


Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves - Austria

Eisriesenwelt is the German word for World of the Ice Giants. The cave is inside Hochkogel Mountain of the Alps and is the largest ice cave in the world.


Blue Grotto - Capri, Italy

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave located in southern Italy where the sunlight passes through underwater cavities and causes a rich blue reflection upon the water, illuminating the cavern. A tiny entrance allows passenger to come through in small groups by tiny boats. This blue grotto is one of several, another is located just off the coast of Split, Croatia.


Lascaux Caves - France

We've all heard about the Lascaux Caves in southwestern France as the setting of Paleolithic cave paintings. Discovered by a couple of young boys, the cave paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old. Fungus and black mold have begun to cover the art due to human introduced moisture since the 1990s, they may not be around much longer.


Cave of Crystals - Chihuahua Mexico

Connected to the Naica Mine, the main chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest found in the world. The cave is extremely hot, reaching temperatures of 138F, so proper protection is recommended.


Waitomo Glowworm Caves - New Zealand

The glowworm species, Arachnocampa, is found exclusively on New Zealand and is responsible for the illumination of the cave.


Cave of the Swallows - Mexico

The Cave of the Swallows is an open air pit cave with a 1214 free fall drop, making it the largest shaft cave in the world. A skyscrapper can easily fit inside of it.

7 Benefits of Buying Local Products

There are almost 2 million farms in the US, 80% of which are small farms and most of those are family owned. These are parents, neighbors, PTA members, and soccer coaches.

Support Community and Strengthen Local Economy

Buying local produce and food products is simply the concept of buying food grown or raised as close to your home as possible, while supporting the people of your community and strengthening your local economy.

Fresher and More Nutritious 

There are many benefits of buying local produce other than supporting local farmers, ensuring jobs for them and income for their families. Local produce is also fresher. Local farm food was most likely picked one or two days from the time of purchase, ensuring optimal freshness and taste. Food also looses its nutrients the longer it takes to get to your home and into your diet.

Environmentally Friendly and Chemical Free

Local produce is also better for the environment and for your body. Local food doesn't travel far. Food from large producers travels about 2,00 miles on average from farm to table. This transportation and storage is energy intensive and pollutes both the air and table. Buying produce straight from the grower is the best way to know what goes into the soil and on your food. Small farms reduce the amount of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, etc. You can ask the farmer about their process and treatment, face-to-face. Isn't that a wonderful way to protect your family?

Easy to Find Every Day of the Week

Buying local products is easy. Visit http://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/ and enter in your zip code for a list of farmers markets in your area. Then get shopping! Don't forget to bring your reusable bags!



Sources
http://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/
http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,3,0,0,html/Why-Buy-Local
http://sdfarmbureau.org/BuyLocal/Buy-Local.php

14 Unusual Facts About Hummingbirds

Here at Little Critterz, we are fascinated by hummingbirds. I bet that everyone knows they can fly incredibly fast, and they are so often found in our gardens I enjoy having a humming bird feeder. But did you know this about these birds?

1. The average lifespan of a hummingbird is about 4 years. In one instance, a female hummingbird lived over 12 years. 
2. Common hummingbirds wing beats 50-200 times per second, on average.
3. It's a common misconception that the sugar-water in the feeder should be red. It shouldn't. Do not put any dye into the mixture. The red and yellow coloring on the feeder itself is what attracts the hummingbird.
4. Hummingbirds are able to hover by flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern.
5. They are an endangered species.
6.  Hummingbirds are only found in the Western Hemisphere.
7. Habitat loss and climate change are the biggest threats to hummingbirds.
8. They are the smallest bird in the world.
9. They can flash or hide their colors when they want. 
10. A hummingbird's brain is 4.2% of it's body weight, the largest in the bird kingdom.
11. They can hear better and see farther than humans.
12. Hummingbirds do not use their beaks to drink nectar like a straw, they lap up the liquid using their tongue.
13. They can weigh between 2-20 grams. A penny weighs 2.5 grams.
14. They can dive at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

Sources

http://www.hummingbirds.net/

http://www.defenders.org/hummingbirds/basic-facts

http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/