Double The Fun Hike

Two hikes today!  I was with two different classes, both of which had hikes on the schedule. It was a rare opportunity to see how the four habitats we take them through change over the course of a day and I enjoyed seeing so many different things with my students.

This morning, my class had the rare opportunity to see a pair of Barred Owls (see photo below) and even got to hear them talk to each other.  They were right over our heads in the Riverine Swamp and in plain view.  I wondered if they have a nest of babies somewhere.  We talked about which one was likely the female (the larger one) and which was the male.  

We also looked at the seed pod of a Sweet Gum tree and one of the girls said "It looks like a bigger version of those things that cling to my socks when I go into the woods to get my ball."  It turns out that she and her friends are soccer players. At least they are getting into the woods, even if it's just to chase an errant ball!

In the afternoon, a Roseate Spoonbill flew right into my classroom, in nearly the same spot in the Swamp, in all it pink glory.  Someone yelled "flamingo", so it was a great opportunity to let them know that while the Flamingo may be the mascot for the State Lottery, it is not a native species.  We even got to watch the Spoonbill feed!

One of the young men in my morning class did something kind for his regular teacher (who attends with the class), so I chatted with him about his interests.  Turns out he is really into rocks!  We talked about Florida Limestone (which he had heard of) and Chert, which he had not heard of.  Chert is formed when limestone undergoes heat and pressure and it breaks with sharp edges.  It was used by natives for spears and tools!  After school was out for the day, I went for a walk in an eroded area and found a small piece of chert to give to him tomorrow.  I hope he continues his interest in geology, as a hobby or even as a course of study!

The best part of my day was the kindness shown to me by one of my afternoon students. As I was holding a large lubber grasshopper in the woods for the kids to see, it spit it's tobacco-juice colored saliva all over my hands.  As soon as I released the animal, that student was ready with his bottle of water to wash off my hands, without even being asked.  Those moments really make you smile!  What a great day for a couple of hikes!

Barred Owl (Strix varia)
 (Photo by Mary Spence)