Pebblekeeper

I got to spend two weeks on a creek with kids this month. Glorious.
It was a huge shot of reminder of why I love nature studies.

I started the week off with a walk looking for interesting signs along the shoreline.
I found many of the specimens that the boys and I have studied during the
Outdoor Hour Challenges with the Handbook of Nature Study. 

My favorite find were these tiny lil Queen Anne’s Lace. So tiny, so delicate. made me wonder if they were a different specimen.
I’d like to go back in August and see the plant fully grown.

We also looked for signs of animals.

In the photo below, storm debris or beaver . . . no chewed branches.

Signs of high water marks.
The trunk of this tree was about 8 feet above the rivers edge, packed with river rocks.

Oyster Mushrooms were abundant in the sunny spots on Red Alder tree trunks.

I made a list of all the plants I could find, then made a reference list with the Handbook of Nature Study, Plants of the Pacific Northwest, and a few Field Guides. After 6-7 years doing the Handbook of Nature Studies week by week, I’m pretty happy with my memory, knowledge and love of all things growing. I found out that my son, a Lake Camp, Camp Counselor, was set to do all of their outdoor walks and studies as he was the only one at camp that knew what all the plants/trees/animals names were. Made me Smile.