Tonight was a family first for the Kendricks: our first real nature adventure. This evening our local nature preserve hosted "Frogs and Toads: Sounds of the Night." The program began in the Nature Center with a brief lesson from one of the nature center educators. Once it got dark, we took a walk in the woods, journeying down to the frog pond, listening all the while for the distinctive chirps, yawps, snores and buzzes of the frogs and toads who call North Carolina home. Then, on home for a bit of milk, a bit of whining, a bit of "Cars" and the inevitable blogging!
Our five-year-old was clearly in his element from the start. He walked into the Nature Center's classroom and immediately began peppering the staff with questions: "Which bird is a falcon?" "Do you have any hawks?" "Will we get to touch a frog?" "Is that a red-spotted toad?" "Does that frog hop?" He kept his hand up high in the air through much of the presentation and was delighted when the staff produced REAL frogs. (However, after the REAL toad peed all over the educator TWICE his desire to touch said real toad diminished) The youngest pod was happy to imitate the sounds of the frogs emanating from the CD player: "Waaaa! Waaaa! Waaaa!"
During the nature walk, we didn't really hear much in the way of frog song. It's unseasonably cool here in NC and the amphibians were very quiet. (Plus, there was a fair bit of chirping from the five small children attending the program) However, we still enjoyed the walk through the woods with its various amusements: spotting snakes and tadpoles in the pond, shining our flashlight on the trees and moths, and spotting trees that had been stripped of bark by resident beavers.
The I-Pod didn't get the whole "listen for frogs" concept, but he did enjoy a chance to tromp through the woods, alternating holding hands with mommy with being toted by daddy. Somehow, he latched onto the word "hop" and he and CSK spent a lot of time hopping and comparing their hopping techniques.
Now, while we didn't hear much in the way of toads, we did hear something REALLY cool on the last stretch of the walk--owls! As we were nearing the parking lot, we stopped dead in our tracks at the sound of a barn owl hooting away in the woods. Our guide imitated the call, and the owl hooted back! It was really like nothing we'd ever heard before. After a few exchanges between our guide and the first owl, a second owl joined in on the conversation. The older pod was entranced and did a fair imitation of the call himself. The I-pod giggled with delight and then started with "Hoo! Hoo!"
When we returned to the nature center, the oldest was beyond excited to see a real, stuffed Barn Owl, touch it's feathers, and examine its claws and beak.
So, all in all, a successful evening of Kendrickness.
And, more importantly, I hope it is the beginning of many, many such adventures we can have as a family. Our little people are finally getting to an age where they are ready to get out into the great outdoors and savor all that nature has to offer. I was thrilled that our oldest took such delight in the experience--asking sooo many questions and throwing himself into the process of discovery. And, though the I-Pod still needs to be carried some of the time (which is no small thing for his parents given his 30 plus pounds), he too seemed to enjoy the time in the woods. I see long hikes and deep-woods camping trips in our future! Cheers to a wonderful evening of frogging!