We're back doing what all kids should be up to on a beautiful winter day, exploring and learning about the wonders of nature. We were happy to see our Heron group bounce into the Hall with excitement about upcoming auditions, family visits, and vacation fun in the sun. It's great to have Willow back, and a surprise guest, Heron for the afternoon. Raccoon clearly loves winter photography, just check these picture out! We missed Firefly's zoomed in connection to every thing and the positive buzz Izzy brings when she walks in. Tamarack, keep drinking water and dream about our adventures next week when you're feeling better.
Our Beaver mentor was certainly in our thoughts and hearts all day. We just really needed to show her how much we care in messages and drawings. When you return. Beaver, we'll be able to answer our BIG question: What signs do animals leave to show who they are and what they are doing in winter?
Maybe you can start by describing tracks left by these animal families. What other signs did you find that are part of this live action story? (scat, fur, blood, bones)
Wander time in Mystery Forest is like a family vacation. We all fan out to our fav spots with friends arriving and then moving on, all a harmonious hum of activity. Blue Racer, Rose and Fox followed the deer tracks into a nearby field with Coyote to find snack spots where deer dug and grazed, and melted beds where they curled up to rest. Talk about what else deer may have done here?
Pin Cherry set up an ice cream store, while Wolf, Sunflower and Hummingbird made a swing where they hung sloth-style. Coyote made a snow cake with decorations, but Hummingbird kept taking bites before it was finished. Water Bear says he likes to wait to see what's 'on the go' and joins in on what looks like the most fun! Sunflower is everywhere!
Grey Squirrel brought us another awesome book, "Whose Tracks Are These?" Hummingbird guessed the chipmunk, Pin Cherry guessed the riddle for a fox, and Water Bear guessed the forest for the third riddle. Can you recall some of the other animals who were in this story?
On our walk over to Sunrise Hill, we saw the 4 muskrats Grey Squirrel told us about on the pond. They looked like small brown mounds on the ice and they would dive into the water. We discovered their tracks right beside the dam as their tail dragged through the snow.
Do you remember the four patterns or ways animals walk or run in the wild? Wolf was a great "bounder" where she would jump with her back feet landing exactly in the track left by her fronts. Everyone found doing a "perfect zig zag" walk like a deer was difficult. Our back foot had to land in the print of the front. The waddler was the easiest by far. It didn't matter where our next step was. Jumping like a rabbit was another challenge. Your back feet hopped ahead and around your front feet. It will be fun to show these four walking gaits at home to see if mom, dad or your siblings can do them too! (Perfect walker, bounder, hopper, waddler)
We had a great time sledding on Sunrise Hill in the afternoon sun!
Back at the hall the seedlings drew different animal tracks and the saplings created a story from their own imaginative sketch of a track mystery.
Tell the story of your track mystery and consider what other tracks you might add next time.
Keep your heads down to read the story of what is written in tracks across the snow. Sending hugs to Beaver with hopes she is back with us soon!
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