Scavenger Hunt Photo

Yuck...nature can be so gross sometimes.  Be on the lookout when you are out and about.  You just may come across (or smell) some pretty nasty stuff out there.  This lead to some pretty good discussions with my daughter about the importance of different animals and how this one will be broken down by others and by bacteria and fungi.  It's cool to be able to teach her things like this at such a young age and while we are just out spending a day walking around together.

 These bright, colorful flowers give me hope that Spring is here to stay and there will be no more snow.  All the beautiful flowers make springtime my favorite time of year.  I believe this little row of flowers are growing up where there once was a fence line.  The yellow makes me think of sunshine and right now, I think those of us in Missouri could really use a little of that.

 Rivers, streams, and ponds are so very important to wildlife.  They are also a lot of fun and can help you cool off in summertime.  Streams can be very aesthetically pleasing as well.  This is one of my favorite places to go and just relax on my property.  I can just go sit down there and listen to the birds chirping.  I set up a game camera and can see that deer will often show up to drink from this little stream.  It is so peaceful out there by it. 

  

I found this little fella while walking around out in my pasture and couldn't resist zooming in to get a closer look.  When we first built our house out here, we had little lady bugs crawling all over it.  I think they are great, do great things for plants, and from what I hear are good luck when in your house...here's hoping.

My first trip in a little canoe and I was brave enough to bring my phone along; glad I did because I was able to capture this crane.  He blended in pretty well though, it took me a second to see him as my husband was trying to point him out to me.  This spot on Bull Shoals is absolutely beautiful and there is so much wildlife to look at. 

 

Ethics and Safety

While enjoying a day at the park with your family can be a lot of fun and very relaxing, it can also be a good learning experience.  It is important that we teach our children to do things like put trash in the trash cans or to gather it all up and take it with them when you leave.  It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children to take care of the environment and to protect nature.  I am thinking of taking a Saturday a month and taking my children to the park to pick up litter.  It could be a great bonding and learning experience.