midday
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Ancil Hoffman Park
sunny, clear, warm
Out with Mrs. Merdinger's 4th grade class. First we picnic in the park area, then meet the naturalist and another docent to begin our tour. We see exhibits of mountain lions and other wildlife, and see a couple rescued animals as well.
Abby, the naturalist, tells us about food chains, which the class already learned about at school, so the students can already give Abby the answers she's looking for.
Finally we get to go on our nature walk - we have already seen deer, so we're keeping our eyes peeled for more.
Our group's guide, Walter, shows us so many things, it's hard to remember. He points out poison oak - leaves of three - an another poisonous plant, which reminded me of Queen Anne's Lace, but I can't remember its name. He also shows us oak galls and explains the life cycle of the wasps and their larvae that cause it. We see several chrysalis' of a black butterfly, which we also see flying around. And Walter tells us that the caterpillars feed on low growing plants but climb trees to cocoon, to avoid flood waters in the winter. They will stay in the chrysalis for about nine months before emerging next spring.
Too soon our time is up, we will have to come back soon!
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