Two Adventurous Bloggers: A Human and a Lizard!

Tales From Elaine

Welcome to Tales and Tails!

“Welcome! I’m Elaine A. Powers, the biologist and author of the science books on this website. Welcome to Tales and Tails–a blog written by two

Curtis Tails

A Big Hello from Curtis!

Welcome to Tales and Tails. I am Curtis Curly-tail, the very special lizard who launched Elaine’s career as the author of science-based children’s books–and now,

Curtis Tails

It’s New Tech Time–Elaine A. Powers Will Now Visit Your Classroom via Video Conferencing

Image courtesy of Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay Hello, everyone! It’s me, Curtis Curly-tail! You know me as the perfect curly-tail lizard from the Bahamas, who inspired

Science Education

Homeschooling? Worried About Education? How About Supplementing with FUN Science Workbooks?

The mission of my book publisher, Lyric Power Publishing LLC, is to “Make Science Fun!” That’s because they know how fun science really is. Their

A young turtle sits on a sandy beach surveying his surroundings.

Conservation

Tales of Turtles: A Look into the World of Sea and Freshwater Turtles

Many places in the world have sea turtles, which live in the ocean, and freshwater turtles, which live on land, often in lakes and rivers.

A Desert Iguana peeks out from his hole.

Iguanas

Meet the Desert Iguana!

While wandering through nature the other day, I passed an exciting hole-up in Marana. Fortunately, the occupant came out to greet me. I was delighted

A picturesque sunset ssilhouetted by palm trees and water.

Birds

My Desert Oasis

Living in the Sonoran Desert, I realize the importance of water. Many animals have adapted to getting the water they need from their food. However,

A bright pink, orange, and yellow desert sunset.

The Sonoran Desert

The Science of a Sunset

Tucson is known for its spectacular sunsets. One survey ranked them second only to Key West’s sunset over the ocean. I think it was the

A magnifying glass sits in front of a blue background.

Adventure!

Whose Paw Left a Print?

I have a natural desert dirt driveway. Most neighbors have opted for fancy rock, but I like the natural substrate. I have holes dug by

A Sonoran Desert scene with several pink blossomed trees.

Tales From Elaine

The New Color of Spring!

Last year, I wrote about the color of the Sonoran Desert Spring being yellow. Spring had been yellow for many years. However, this year, the

A dark mysterious hole, a bright light shines in the opening.

The Sonoran Desert

Who is in the Hole?

I was taking Max, my dog, for a walk one evening. The setting sun illuminated a new hole in my dirt driveway. The hole was

A Kermit the frog puppet sits on a couch.

Science Education

Kermit the Ancestor

Since I wrote that book on the dinosaurs found in Arizona, Dinosaurs Roamed Arizona, I’ve been intrigued by ancient fossils. Reptiles are pretty easy to

A gecko crawls across a window with a cityscape in the background.

Lizards

Vincent van Gecko

The name of a newly discovered lizard has combined science and art in a unique way, resulting in a heavenly name. The lizard’s name is

A hedgehog peeks up, only their face and ears are visible.

Plants

The Hedgehogs of the Sonoran Desert

Before the dog days of 2023, the only mammal I wanted as a pet was a hedgehog. However, every time I got the urge to

Crowds of people navigate the stalls set up along a street.

Event

Observations at a Street Fair

From March 22-24, 2024, I had a booth at the 55th annual 4th Avenue Street Fair. This exciting event brings over 300,000 people to shop

Science Education

The Science of… Oatmeal?

Do you ever think about the physics in action within your breakfast? Sometimes, I do, especially after a spectacular failure, like when I attempted to

A Harris's Hawk perched on a branch displaying the side and tail of the bird.

Birds

Prey of the Hawk!

They hunt as a pack, led by the dominant female. Working together, they can subdue larger prey than an individual can, providing a feast for

A realistic illustration of dinosaurs roaming a valley.

Tales From Elaine

A Pennaraptorans for Your Thoughts

I recently learned about Penneropterans. They are not people who like to eat penne pasta! Maybe ‘opt’ refers to optics? Nope, they are not people

Book Birthdays

An Old Fossil Publishes a Dinosaur Book!

Every festival, I’m asked if I have any books about dinosaurs. Up until now, I’ve had to say no. However, if a topic is requested

Elaine A. Powers, Author

MAKING SCIENCE BOOKS FUN!

BLOG: Tales and Tails

Welcome to Tales and Tails!

A Big Hello from Curtis!

It’s New Tech Time–Elaine A. Powers Will Now Visit Your Classroom via Video Conferencing

Homeschooling? Worried About Education? How About Supplementing with FUN Science Workbooks?

Tales of Turtles: A Look into the World of Sea and Freshwater Turtles

Meet the Desert Iguana!

My Desert Oasis

The Science of a Sunset

Whose Paw Left a Print?

The New Color of Spring!

Who is in the Hole?

Kermit the Ancestor

Vincent van Gecko

The Hedgehogs of the Sonoran Desert

Observations at a Street Fair

The Science of… Oatmeal?

Prey of the Hawk!

A Pennaraptorans for Your Thoughts

An Old Fossil Publishes a Dinosaur Book!

About

Elaine A. Powers, Author

© 2021 ELAINE A. POWERS, TUCSON, ARIZONA