Nature Study, Outdoor Hour Challenge #6 . . .

Collections:

Finally, after getting everyone over what fevers, stuffy noses, coughs, etc. that they had, we were able to get outside for a while. We decided to check out some of the parks in the area. Since we have only lived here for just over a year, we have only been to a few. The one we went to today is close to the hills and a couple nature trails. It was small, but had a lot of trees and that is exactly what we needed to look for items for our collection.

C8 already has an infatuation with rocks and has a substantial collection of those. It finally came to a point that I had to say NO to gravel or rocks that resembled gravel, because she would fill her pockets with it. She has collected quite a few and between grandparents, parents, and Christmas, she has gotten quite a collection.

C8's rock collection, also some from C9

Because she has already gone to rocks on her own, I wanted to start something new that the whole family could appreciate. So we decided on pine cones.

These are interesting and everyone, from Dad to C1 can appreciate them and collect them. While at the park, we were able to find a few different kinds, large and small, new and old. Staying true to collecting, we only took the ones that were already on the ground, none plucked from the trees.

C1 finding a great pine cone

We also saw a bird's nest that had some kind of blue string weaved into it. It was quite a ways up in a tree, but a bird landing on it and adding to it, confirmed our theory.

The kids played for a while in the leaves and even said that next time we should bring our own rake and make a big pile to jump in. It was nice to get out, but I think next time, we will try to find something a little more out of town and secluded. When we did our listening time, the noise of nearby equipment working drowned out anything possible to hear.

No one can resist throwing leaves