Whenever we go outside students get busy exploring, as they should! During our last outdoor excursion students found 2 different insects in the courtyard they were fascinated by. Look carefully at the two pictures, can you identify either of these insects?
This past Tuesday, after third graders planted pumpkin seeds, they ventured out into the courtyard. They haven't been out there much this spring, due to the rainy season we have been having. But this 10 minutes of exploration was well worth the wait! Students found tons and tons of toads!!! They were everywhere...apparently many of those tadpoles we see in the pond every year do actually make it to adulthood!! They came in many shades (of brown) and sizes! It was hard to contain the excitement...everyone was catching toads! What a great day!! This was by far the most toads I have ever seen in a day! We think we counted 11in one class period (it was hard to keep track). Have you ever caught a toad? How do you know it was a toad and not a frog?
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The other day while I was walking upstairs and glanced out the window, something red caught my eye. I ran for my camera and zoom lens and snapped a photo of this red headed woodpecker snacking in my backyard woods. Pretty cool! Have you ever seen a woodpecker? Where?
This past Monday, while entering the school building one rainy morning, a giant spotted salamander walked across the sidewalk right in front of me! I was startled at first, but then I observed him for a bit and put him back in the garden so he wouldn't get squished! Have you seen any salamanders recently now that the snow is gone and the weather is starting to warm up?
I love watching the birds in my backyard! During the winter, my favorite birds to see are the blue jays with their loud squawks. I also like to see the cardinals. I love that usually the male and the female are usually both around. I can't wait for the summer though, when I get to see the hummingbirds drink from my mini petunia plants on our deck! What are some of your favorite birds to see?
Last week we had an unexpected visitor show up for dinner. This opossum must have woken up from a catnap and felt a little hungry. He feasted on the catfood we had left out for a cat we saw walking around in the snow by our house. He didn't seem to mind my girls watching him at all! What sort of animals have you seen searching for dinner this winter?
The other day I put a trash can lid of bird seed out on my deck. I put it on top of my snow covered table. My kids and my cats love to watch the birds visit and eat the seeds. Yesterday, I saw a very plump squirrel trying to reach the trash can lid. He couldn't quite get to it since the deck was covered in a few feet of snow. It was funny to watch him try and try again several times. I never did see him succeed. I may have to get him his own container of seeds! What animals have you seen in your yard during these cold, snowy days of winter? What were they doing?
Well this squirrel didn't give up and he did finally get to that seed! He visits us several times a day!!
I have had mice get into my house before, but last week we had an unusual visitor in the school building! I have to say, it was adorable, even for a baby snake! Yes, a young brown snake was found near the music room and Mr. Steve saved it! It was stuck to something sticky and couldn't get away. If you have ever had a wild animal get into your house write back and tell me what it was and how you got it out!
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