spring in the forest

We're into our 3rd week of forest school programs through the city of Kitchener parks - at Breithaupt Park and Huron Natural Area. The two weeks couldn't have been more different. First, week one through a slideshow of photos that I snatched.

Week One

... featured lots of sun and warmth. What a great week to begin!

We spotted several mourning cloak butterflies at Breithaupt Park, sunning themselves and lapping up tree sap. We learned that they hibernate as butterflies over the winter! They crawl into a crevice in the trees, or tree bark, or a wood pile to sleep for the winter months. They are one of the first butterflies to appear in the spring, and they drink tree sap (no flowers yet for them). It is a truly beautiful butterfly - not one that makes you think of mourning!

At Huron Natural Area, the turtles and frogs put on quite a show in the various ponds.