On Wednesday last week, I got to go with Daniel on another field trip for kindergarten. I was a little nervous after the leech filled river the week before. This time, however, we went to Brukner Nature Center which is outside of Troy. It's a really pretty place, and is filled with all kinds of hiking trails, and a few animals, and just cool nature things, in general. It's a beautiful place at all times of year, but it was especially pretty last week. We had our own private guide, Mr. Dawson, who was extremely knowledgeable about everything that we saw at Brukner. Daniel loved the animals of course! Inside, he got to touch a trio of turtles, and a corn snake. I declined to touch that one myself! We also got to see a red fox while we were outside. Did you know that red foxes (as well as other species) mark their territory like skunks do? That would explain the horrendous smell near their cages! We also got to see the Bald Eagle, and it's "dinner" laying there waiting to be devoured! One little girl asked, "What is that mouse doing in there?" I was afraid to freak her out, and so another mom and myself said, "It's just resting for a minute!" We also saw a bunch of barred owls. Their nickname is "The Tiger of the Night". After seeing it's claws, I get why. Wouldn't want to meet one in the dead of night! The funniest thing Daniel said, was after we looked in at a Black Heron, which FYI is a bird, he exclaimed, "What is that a Columbian Lizard?!!?" I don't know where in the world that came from, but it cracked me up! We went on a 1/2 mile hike with the kids too. Here we learned how to distinguish between a white pine and red pine. White pines, everything is in 5's, five needles, etc. The Red one, well, I never did get the trick to remembering, but I guess that's for another field trip. I totally appreciated the little hints they gave the kids for avoiding poison ivy and how to tell if a plant is dangerous or not too. the hint was "Leaves of 3, LET IT BE!" ( I wish Jackson had known that before early this past summer. He could have avoided a painful run in with poison ivy all over his body, face, and practically in his eye!) The best part was how beautiful a day it was (again!) There won't be many more of those left before winter sets in. The leaves were beautiful, and I loved hearing the kids feet shuffle through the deep piles of leaves. Just another reminder of the great things fall has to offer!
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