Field Trip!

We took our first "real" field trip as homeschoolers today, to a nature sanctuary nearby. We had an excellent time, not only because of the program but because of the people! As a group, homeschoolers are friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, and that sure was the case today.

Here are some (many, actually) pictures from our day:

Scooping up pond stuff... everyone got a turn, and there were some really neat life forms in there!

Like these...

And these...

And these.

Hard to see, but the long, stick-like thing in the lower left is not just another pretty stick. It is, in fact, a hollow stick with a little bug larva inside. And when s/he explored this new environment, the hollow stick came along for the ride! It was the cutest thing, like a hermit crab.

Next, a few more pond pictures:

Even the youngest member of our group enjoyed himself!

Yes, that there is "I hate writing" Luke, holding a sketchbook - in which he drew actual pictures of what he saw! More than one! And, it was all him; my only involvement was to mention that we were asked to pack a sketchbook. If that's not homeschool magic, I don't know what is.

I can't overstate the fascination these kids had with the pond life portion of our day.

Then, onto lunch, where we got to check out a half-taxidermied wood duck up close:

And watch as a butterfly was released into the wild.

Then on our afternoon trail tour, we saw some really neat, tall trees:

An ash (up there), and a hickory (down here):

And check out the bark on the hickory tree!

Here's Owen, wondering, who lives here?

Maybe this guy?