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Now that September is here, it’s just a matter of time before the cooler fall weather brings lots of natural sights. Maybe you’ve decided that fall will be when you finally decide to go exploring some nature trails. If so, bring your outdoor gear, a camera, and use these tips to take some great pictures. Become friends with light. Lighting is a major factor that will play a critical role in your photo. Ideally, dusk and dawn photos create ideal environments for pictures. You want to avoid placing the camera anywhere where sunlight is going directly into the lens. Be...

With many areas experiencing record summer temperatures, it’s important that we take care of ourselves but also think about other important members of the family. That’s right, pets are susceptible to the effects of the summer heat too. If you’ll be staying a day outside with your pooch, make sure there is shade for them to take a load off and plenty of water for them to drink. Dogs with short noses like pugs or boxers are particularly susceptible to the stress caused by heat, and so are dogs that have long hair like Shih Tzus. Speaking of heat stress,...

Summer is a great time for being outdoors. What’s not so great? The increased chance of being bitten by a mosquito. Have you ever wondered why it is they choose you over a person who may happen to be standing or sitting next to you? Some research from the University of Washington presents some interesting findings on how mosquitoes zero in on a target.Most people know that female mosquito are the ones that do the biting as they require blood to produce eggs. When she detects the scent of carbon dioxide, the brain will switch into a hunter mode of...

Science has recently confirmed what most of us already knew: a little time with Mother Nature can do wonders for your health. Ongoing research suggests that spending some time lounging by the lake or going to a park can cut down stress levels, reduce blood pressure, and even lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases, allergies, diabetes, or asthma. Furthermore, some time spent outdoors can give your mental health a boost and even improve life expectancy. While all of this sounds great, many of us lead incredibly busy lives, which means there may be only a small window to get some...

With the summer season here and the Fourth of July happening next week, cookouts and barbecue bashes will be aplenty. With the season, however, there comes a greater chance of having to deal with bugs ruining the experience. Thankfully, a couple of simple hacks can make the experience better for everyone. It’s not uncommon to find a bug wanting to take a sip of your tasty drink only for it to fall into your drink and potentially ruin it. A simple way to keep your drinks bug free is to use cupcake liners which can be placed upside down on...