We started out for the Luther Marsh this morning to explore the wetlands, and to talk a little bit about their role in the environment. Unfortunately, before too long the black flies got the better of us, and we were chased away. Still all was not lost...we spotted someinteresting frogs and William found this super-cool 1.5 foot snake skin that we brought home for our nature box.
Not to be
discouraged that easily, we decided that since we were all decked out with buckets
and nets, a stop along the Grand River was in order. What a great idea!! What followed was a wonderful completely
un-planned discussion on the difference between wet lands
and river banks. It is amazing how much learning follows the words "isn't it interesting that...".
If you click on the
picture above to enlarge it you might catch a glimpse of the Great Blue Heron just
taking off from the river.
Ever seen one of these cool critters before? This one I will
definitely have to look up.
No frogs by the river bank, but we found lots of cray fish. The big ones were too fast for us, but we did manage to net a few of the little ones that we enjoyed
watching for a while and then released.
Man, do I love these days!
Not to be discouraged that easily, we decided that since we were all decked out with buckets and nets, a stop along the Grand River was in order. What a great idea!! What followed was a wonderful completely un-planned discussion on the difference between wet lands and river banks. It is amazing how much learning follows the words "isn't it interesting that...".
If you click on the picture above to enlarge it you might catch a glimpse of the Great Blue Heron just taking off from the river.
Ever seen one of these cool critters before? This one I will definitely have to look up.
No frogs by the river bank, but we found lots of cray fish. The big ones were too fast for us, but we did manage to net a few of the little ones that we enjoyed watching for a while and then released.
Man, do I love these days!
Posts
My kids want to know if you found out about the creature that looks almost prehistoric to them (the one just above the photo of your boys playing on the water's edge). And we had a suggestion that if you can't identify it you could email the naturalists at GRCA and see if they could tell you. Cause we really want to know too!
ReplyDeleteI am trying desperately to find out...I have tried to e-mail it to the GRCA but it is being turned back as a suspicious e-mail. Guess it looks a little too much like....I don't know what. I am going to print off the picture and bring it with us the next time we go if I cannot figure it out sooner. I will keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteJo
LOL - it has been driving me nuts too. My kids want to know. Kevin thinks it is some version of an aquatic isopod (related to pill bugs) but I am not sure. Do you know any of the naturalists at the GRCA places closest to you? Erie does programming at Luther Marsh and she would know. I have always had great luck taking stuff in to GLNC to have them ID it especially if you can manage at the end of the day when the programming is done.
ReplyDeleteWe were at Rockwood for the swamp tromp this morning and found a tiny one of these (about the size of a pencil eraser). We had a wildlife biologist there who used to work for the GRCA and he said it was a Water Penny which apparently becomes a type of beetle. I told him about yours and he said it was mostly likely the same thing. Lots of info and pics on google.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Thanks Karen!!
ReplyDeleteWe have been trying to figure it out with our field guides and on-line, but haven't make it to the GRCA yet. They boys will be thrilled to know what it is!!
Jo