Some winter days are so downright cold, you just want to stay under the quilt with some hot cocoa and watch the outside world from the inside. But then there are other days when yes, it might be a bit chilly. Yet the warm sun just beckons you out of doors.
My family and I went out for a walk in the woods on just such a sunny day.
Here's a bit of what we found.
At school the boys are learning about the parts of the plant...which I'm certain my guys have known since they emerged from the womb. But we did talk about seeds, seed pods and coverings, and how seeds are scattered.
Of course, moss cried out to be touched.
Felled trees beg to be walked upon like giant balance beams.
And a gathering of sticks asks the question, "What ancient civilization used to live here, mama?"
Toward the end of the walk, I started encouraging the boys too look up. And immediately they began noticing the many bird's nests hight up in the tip top branches of the trees.
But then...something else. Not a bird's nest. Not an abandoned hornet's nest. Something else.
Can you see it?
No?
Here's a better shot.
Yes, yes! It was a sleeping racoon, nestled perfectly in the arm of that tree. Despite the boys banging on the base of the trunks, he did not stir.
My boys felt so lucky to have gotten to see this little guy. And we would have walked right by him if we hadn't turned our eyes upward.
What a way to end a great winter nature walk. Looking up.
- Eren
