Timberwolf Trail - Trail Camera Captures- September 2017 Edition

If you noticed that this first edition of our Trail Camera pictures differs from last year, it's because it does. Basically, I turned the camera the other direction. I will be working on clearing the area a bit as it is full of buckthorn and shrubbery, but until then, please enjoy.

Bird in flight

Day coyote

Night coyote

Deer

Deer again

Fox

How about some deer?

Raccoon

Run away deer

Shocking. . . .more deer.

These last few are not from the trail camera but taken from a hot air balloon ride enjoyed by a school family. Seeing the trail from up above is really special for me and makes my heart smile as it has been a ton of work. But it has also been a ton of fun!

Timberwolf Trail - Week 4 - 2017-18 Edition

Lesson planning isn't always on the top of my favorite things to do, but when it comes to finding connections with nature, it is very enjoyable. Today, I worked with my kids to "connect the dots" about our indoor and outdoor classrooms.

 After practicing letter writing with whiteboards and natural materials, we reviewed the differences between fiction and non-fiction books by reading two selections: There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly and Insect Homes.

Work time leads to play time, so to freshen up our minds and bodies, the kids exerted some energy in the forest. Then, w e took a  tree trek, reviewing parts of a tree and the life cycle of trees along the way. With many ore leaves blanketing the ground today, we stopped for am impromptu lesson abut how we can use physical characteristics of trees to figure out their type. More specifically, we looked at two different types of oak trees and the subtle differences in their leaves.

We also stopped to locate deciduous "dropping" trees and coniferous "staying" ones before I pointed out a few trees with some interesting characteristics the kids called tree holes.  It wasn't until we returned to the oak  tree classroom before we discussed the concepts of trees as habitats and identifies the holes as cavities.

Then, to really "connect the dots," we read Wendy Pfeffer's A Log's Life. This story was a beautiful way to connect the life cycle of an oak tree with the fact that trees (especially decomposing and fallen ones) can serve as homes for a variety of wildlife.

Off Trail Excursion

But reading isn't the only way we could "connect the dots."  We also searched for some examples and evidence of trees used by animals and trees at different stages of life.

Once we had time to investigate in our forest and share our observations, we needed to play. Some ventured off to do some independent activities while others teamed up. After a=some time, we all got back together to play our first (of many) rounds of Hawks & Mice, a game designed to practice curricular objectives and have some good old fashioned fun.

Looking at the school form the oak tree

Another week in the books. Next week, even more dots will be connected as we dig into the concept of a forest ecosystem.

Tyke Hike #43 - UW-Waukesha Field Station & the Apple Harvest Festival

The first full day of Fall and it was nearly 90 degrees and sticky. That didn't stop seven humid hikers from enjoying UW-Waukesha's Field Station. Before the hike officially kicked off, our fearless hike leader went off trail and helped me collect prairie plant seeds for my school's restoration project. Once on the trail, she and her newest hiking buddy kept well ahead of the adults.

When these two happy hikers did allow the adults to catch up, it was to ask permission to play. Naturally, we agreed. We made shelters, played in the dirt, and even found the famous Halloween Tree.

The play continued with a closer look at Scuppernong Creek and some log balancing. We even stopped to find things along the trail. Whether it be walnuts, critter holes, and/or mushrooms, keeping our eyes open to the world around us was a key to discovery.

When you attend a kid-led hike, you must expect the unexpected. When our hike leaders went down a  path I had yet to venture on in my previous visits, I was excited to find a trail camera set up. Upon further inspection, this camera was part of the DNR's Snapshot Wisconsin program, the trail camera program I am fortunate enough to be a part of as well.

Embry was especially fond of the extra large milkweed pods she found.

After saying farewell to the guests form today's hike, we ventured over to the Wildlife in Need Center and found a litter of opossums getting fed. While these little guys may not grow up to be the cutest woodland mammal, they love eating tricks, so I love having them around.

Our next nature day stop was at the Retzer Nature Center's Apple Harvest Festival. Like the Ice Age Trail Alliance, I also am proud to be a volunteer at Retzer and enjoyed seeing so many guests enjoy this amazing place, even in unseasonably high temperatures.

Embry enjoyed making a rainbow butterfly,

creating a slinky snake,

fishing,

and launching frogs onto lily pads in a game called Leap Frog.

Taking a break from the games and crafts, she practiced her facial expressions while exploring the scarecrows.

After hearing her daddy and other guest readers share a variety of picture books, it was time for more games.

She played, apple ring toss,

won at Wildlife BINGO,

and finished off some cold apple cider and a caramel apple.

She even had enough energy to celebrate a wonderful day of nature with one final rock hop.