Keeping It Simple

The talk on Wednesday, after the discovery of a good size toad in the yard, was of "frog hunting" (yes, they are toads, but my boys have always call it frog hunting). This is fairly frequent pastime in the evening during the summer months. It started with a "spider egg sac" (discovered in the quest for toads). Mark called me over saying that there were all sorts of little spiders moving on it (!). I was not able to see much, but Mark had a much closer view... By the time I got there (some time later), it looked like this: I cannot verify that it is a spider egg sac, but pictures of one online look very similar. None-the-less, Mark was pretty excited about the find. Next up was the "save the toads" mission. James and Mark discovered some little toads down a drain near our porch. They had slipped through the cracks to find a cool hiding place, but were struggling to get out.  Dad was enlisted to save the day.  Pretty mucky in there! Whew! Two (or ...

No journaling, no studying in any formal way. Just enjoying the great outdoors! I have to say it feels wonderful to get outside. CA is not its usually sunny self right now, so all opportunities for outdoor time need to be seized. And, outdoor time with friends is the best.  No wilderness here, just a couple of fire bugs. Every CA hike has to have a banana slug. The big thing used to be to dare someone to kiss it- I am thinking "no!".   Heading out for the big hike.  White Fallow Deer kept in a fenced area because they are not native to the area. Hopefully, I will get a better picture from someone- they look like goats here. We found this very pretty plant (weed?) on our walk. It is common enough in these mountains, but we have no idea what it is, and it is not to be found in our plant books. It looks similar to some, but not exactly like any. I have a few guesses, but I have feeling it is going to be a no-duh answer to those more familiar to plant life. Any inp...

I am linking this pond study post from the fall  to Wildnerness Wednesday  at "Homeschooling Newbie". I aspire to do more Nature Studies and am inspired by those who make it a priority. Hopefully summer will persent many opportunties for new explorations! These are some of the drawings from our day of pond exploration.