Have you noticed that Out walking the dog is sporting a couple of new badges? Look over there to your right, just under the photo of the brunching squirrel.
This little sign means that Out walking the dog has become a proud member of a network of nature blogs. Who knew such a thing existed?
Well, it does. Nature Blog Network links almost 1,000 blogs from all around the world that talk about, oh, lizards, snakes, oceanography, bugs, birds (of course), mammals, trees, flowers, fungi (Cornell Mushroom Blog), and so on and on. Some blogs are personal musings, some are wonderfully obsessive (The Daily Heron comes to mind), others deal with scientific research projects.
If you find yourself with a few extra minutes, take a stroll through the Nature Blog Network.
The next badge features a drawing of the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. 
It connects you to the 1000 Birds Conservation Club, of which Out walking the dog is a brand-new member, thanks to Wren of Wrenaissance Reflections. Wren held an open competition on her blog to give away four one-year memberships, and chose us as one of the winners.
Thank you, Wren. And thanks to the nature blogging community for opening up doors for a new blogger.
