We are originally from NW Indiana and it took us a long time to understand that there was more than one type of Oak tree. This park (and really, the whole city) is filled with Live Oaks - which are absolutely grogeous trees with acorns, but leaves that look nothing like the Oaks we are used to. The Live Oaks are filled with Spanish Moss!
Color me silly, but I had no idea that Spanish Moss is actually a flowering plant (Tillandsia usneoides) and a member of the pineapple family! Apparently it's an air plant and grows on the Live Oaks because they leach minerals through their leaves that the Spanish Moss thrive on. We all thought that was pretty darn cool.
Delaney has been learning about bugs in her science lessons and rarely hesitates to lift things up to see what may be lurking underneath. This was a tree that fell during the winds of Gustav.
She didn't see any critters around the roots - but she was looking!
These are some mushrooms (I think) that were growing along the driveway. I haven't looked them up yet, but we didn't touch them just to be safe.
This "little" guy is our favorite nature find. Dad found him hanging on the edge of our extremely overworked mosquito/bug zapper. We believe it's a luna moth. It's HUGE, but absolutely gorgeous.
I have noticed that we have all changed our attitude about science and nature since we began taking our weekly nature walks. The girls run up to me with seeds and leaves every time we leave the house now and I find myself trying to listen a little closer to see if I can discern the various bird calls from the noise of the crickets and frogs. I even took my preschoolers from co op on a nature walk last week! We are still not thrilled with the mosquitoes, but otherwise, this has been a great addition to our studies and something we will continue doing through the years.
2 comments:
Your moth is beautiful and I think you are all doing a great job on learning to really observe...both with your eyes and ears.
Great job, sorry about the mosquitoes. We went on a hike this summer where if we stood still for even 10 seconds we would be attacked by buzzing mosquitoes. If we kept walking, not bad at all. It makes it hard to take a photo when you can't stop walking. :)
Thanks for the link,
Barb-Harmony Art Moms
OOO, OOO, OOO! I have a story about the moss that you and the girls will love. But, before I tell you, you need to have some at the house. Let me know when you do!
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