Fall Seed Walk

Even though it's been on my calendar every week, last week was the first one when we actually made it to the arboretum on a non-class visit. I revamped the school schedule to fit it in better, though we still didn't get there until almost 11:30 and got home around 2. Amazing how long it takes to get us out the door! The assignment was to find signs of fall, especially seeds. We also picked our "spot" that we drew in our journals and will visit and draw each season throughout the next year. Here is our visit:

Amazingly stunning ginko leaves - they're as bright and beautiful as many of the maples I have seen around and are such fun shapes!

D. did a great job of finding the first two seed examples!

An elven tree....

Our "spot" that we will chronicle throughout the year....

Spring Exploring

We had a great time today with our playgroup at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. Bird watching (bald eagles, cormorants, tree and barn swallows, red-winged blackbirds, to name a few), flowering trees, frogs and turtles,....

Spring Bulbs

From our nature walk last week....

Friday, March 19 Tree Walk

March 19 Tree Walk: They're starting to pop!

dogwood

pussy willow

lilac

red maple

pear tree

More Signs of Spring!

The girls had another class at Tyler Arboretum this morning, so Liam, Molly and I walked around looking for more signs of spring. We found lots of different flowers and buds, as well as noticing several different birds at one of feeders! Unfortunately, I forgot to note some of the plant names when we were walking, so I will have to go back and figure them out next week on our nature walk. Here are some more signs of spring, though...hope they make you happy like they make us happy!

my boy, happy to not be wearing his coat

not sure, but cool buds!

witchhazel

daffodil
not sure, but really neat white buds!

same

same

can't remember this one either (doing great, huh?)

Spring!

We were able to get out this morning to take our tree walk and check on the trees that we have been following for the past year. It was amazing to see signs of spring and to be outside in the warm (!!!) sun! I love spring!

a wildflower by the sidewalk

lilac

red maple

pear

our tulips!