We went to Roper Mountain Science Center today for our Nature Walk. We enjoy doing this so much and always learn a lot and have a lot of fun. I wanted to spend some time around the pond today observing the "habitat" (they have been learning some about habitats), specifically the insects that inhabit the pond this time of year. We were looking for dragonflies and damsle flies.
They were everywhere and in beautiful colors!!! Here is a picture of a dragon fly we saw sitting on the bridge.
Rebekah stoped and pulled out her Nature Journal to draw a picture of the dragon fly. We also saw some very pretty blue damsle flies but were not able to get a picture of them.
We also observed at the pond some huge fish and turtles.
The kids were enamored with the fish and turtles. Every time we go they love to look at the turtles. A couple of weeks ago they got to see on on the land and got to touch it.
We saw 3 different species of fungus today and had a good lesson. The kids learned that fungus is not a plant that can make it's own food like green plants but that mushrooms must get thier nutrients from decomposing material they grow around. The kids learned that the mushrooms and fungus help to decompose the dead materials.Here are a couple of pictures of the mushrooms and fungus.
While we walked we were looking for signs of life in the woodland habitat. We found some deer prints and a white feather that we think may have come from a dove. We also found the sign that some life will be ending. We found the first of the seasons changed leaves. On the ground we found beautiful red leaves. This was a great opportunity to discuss what that means when we see the leaves change and why they change. We then discussed what the area may look like in a few months after the leaves have all fallen. Here are Keren and Hannah with thier first fallen leaves of the season. I think we may press these.
When we were almost ready to leave we headed back to the butterfly garden where I let the kids test out what they have been learning from thier readings in Paddle to the Sea. They tested how water flows and carries along items by putting leaves in the creek and watching the water carry it along until it got stuck on some object. We discussed how in the book what would happen if Paddle to the sea gets stuck. Would he ever make it to the sea? I like how we can take practical application to what we are reading about.
I loaded the kids up into the car red faced and tired but we all had a great time and had fun learning how God has put our world together.
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