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We've already talked about tracking some poo/scat in the winter. This past week, we focused on tracks. We put on our detective senses to figure out who has been in the woods. On the way, we made some of our own tracks:   On our walk, we saw: rabbit tracks, coyote tracks, and deer tracks. (and people and dog and angel tracks too) We followed some deer tracks through the woods and they led us past a fairy estate. We didn't see any fairy tracks in the snow, so maybe they are hibernating. We talked about the various ways of moving through the snow. Some animals are hoppers (rabbits, squirrels, mice). Some are waddlers (raccoons, wild turkeys). Some are walkers (deer, coyote, fox). What are you? Here we are, tracking a dear deer.  Here are some more tracks. Can you guess what they are?
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When the snow wasn't exactly snowpeople-making quality two weeks ago, we improvised. Inspired by Lois Ehlert's book Snowballs, we made snowpeople inside using felt circles and loose parts.  Look at our fancy snowpeople! Last week, we were excited to see the fresh white snow at the Huron Natural Area. We built some mini-creatures before heading out on our adventure in the woods. The snow definitely changes how we can play and explore in the winter time!  When we go for a walk in the woods, we can be like detectives, looking for clues. With the lack of snow, we could easily see poo on the paths. These poo clues tell us about the creatures that have been there. Several weeks ago, we came across some dog and coyote poo, right near each other. Do you know the difference? Here is some photo evidence: In the picture on the left, it shows the two piles of poo. The next two pictures are closer shots, to see the detail. :) So... which is dog, and which is coyote? If you guessed that the blackish-grey one is coyote, you are right! And if you guessed that the brown one is dog poo, you are also right! When we looked closer, we could see fur and small bones in the coyote poo. When we looked closer at the dog poo, it just looked like grainy shades of brown. We also noted that while the coyote poo was supposed to be there (the park habitat is its home), the dog poo was out of place. This park habitat is not its home, and so poo should be picked up on paths. Hmmm... In another area of the park (on a much less snowy day 2 weeks ago), there was deer scat (fancy word for poo). Here are some:  And then guess whose poo is here? Looks kind of similar to deer poo, but more round and a bit smaller.  You guessed it! Rabbit scat.
So much to see in the woods, and the winter woods scat can be especially fascinating! |
Read on...Hammers, Huge Swings, and the Freedom to Play Archives
April 2020
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We love this land where we play and learn: the sun that warms us, the trees that give us shade, beauty and places to climb. The plants that give us food. The creatures who teach us about how to live in a good way. Thank you to the bugs and turtles, the great blue herons and the tadpoles. To the fairy shrimp, the tree swallows, the pond snails, the newts. To the Jack-in-the-pulpits, the trout lilies, the goldenrod, the asters - all of you are so beautiful and teach us so much. To the water, which is life - the ponds, creeks and the Grand River watershed.
We are honoured to walk, learn, and play on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton Nations, treaty lands of the Haudenosaunee. Grateful for the ongoing care, stewardship, and teachings from Indigenous Peoples that help us walk gently on this earth. We are committed to the ongoing process of decolonization through partnering with local Indigenous educators in our facilitation, learning about the past and about good ways forward together, and respecting the land as our First Teacher.
We are honoured to walk, learn, and play on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton Nations, treaty lands of the Haudenosaunee. Grateful for the ongoing care, stewardship, and teachings from Indigenous Peoples that help us walk gently on this earth. We are committed to the ongoing process of decolonization through partnering with local Indigenous educators in our facilitation, learning about the past and about good ways forward together, and respecting the land as our First Teacher.
