Random Sightings with Kids

I led two groups of kids on nature hikes today.  One of the groups is pictured above.  Mostly from the Bay Area, they were quite curious about what inhabits our Sierra forests and were especially interested in what might be dangerous and what might be safe, or even edible.  For the kids with cameras, I showed how many people who photograph flowers don't get close enough.  There are three pairs of images above that show a plant from a few feet away and the same plant from a few inches away.  In the latter case, much more detail is apparent, and that detail can be even more appreciated when accompanied by a magnifying lens or shown on a computer monitor.  Be sure to click on these images for full effect.  The three pairs are Hooker's Evening Primrose, Chicory, and Scarlet Gilia.  I only posted one image of the Showy Milkweed as that has been featured in this blog many times before.  After a bit of flower talk, the kids then started looking in earnest for signs of animals.  First, artifacts like a wasp nest.  Then they discovered Caddisflies on the undersides of rocks in the creek.  The little bundles of twigs glued to the rocks started moving and caused shrieks of delight.  When placed in my hand in the sun, the larvae undoubtedly became a bit distressed and poked their heads out as if seeking wetter "pastures."  Then the Mosquito Hawks, AKA Mosquito Eaters, AKA Crane Flies in the rest rooms.  It's hard to convince people that these critters do not bite, do not eat mosquitoes and in fact feed off plant nectar.  I must say the kids are easier to convince than the adults.  Last, we saw lots of Checkerspot butterflies gathering on Spreading Dogbane.  I told the kids to be particularly watchful for ones that didn't fly away when we approached.  In that case, there's a good chance they were in the grasp of a Goldenrod Crab Spider who was draining their insides of juices.  No luck on today's outing, but many kid remember seeing this when they attended camp last year.  Today's experience, judging from the kids' responses,  was great evidence that we should deliver much more of our education out of doors.