What a fun day! After a short school day, I took Alexandra out to a local "farm" that has homeschool history classes, too. Her class was on Da Vinci and Rome.
The place is beautiful! They have quite a few acres with: swings, a playground, mini-golf, a barn, a boat, a zip line... and much more! 
I took a book and my camera out to a picnic table... and read for 3 hours!!! Oh, and of course, I got up to go on a nature walk every once in awhile.
Well, this farm lets their animals run around - goats, chickens, sheep... I got excited when 2 baby goats started coming towards my table. And, then, this brave little guy jumped ON my table and spilled some of my water. I thought it was cute and poured a little more on the table. But, then his sibling jumped on the table, too. And suddenly they wanted to get at my bag, my book, my drink, Alexandra's drink, my sandals (I'd taken then off)... It was all I could do to get my sandals back on while I tried to keep them out of my stuff. It was hillarious, but I was really almost ready to yell for help! They were quite aggressive. I went to a different area where I could close the gate.
I hadn't charged my camera, and I was sad to see it die very quickly in the day! But, I did get this insect on the tree - it is a bordered plant bug.
And, I got a pretty cool shot of this inch worm. So, I've been trying to figure this out - what's the difference between an inch worm and a caterpillar? Or is an inch worm a type of caterpillar? (I guess I should go look in the Handbook of Nature Study!) And, we saw lots of little green "inch worms" hanging by a "thread" from trees - all over the farm. What are these? Possibly oak worms? Just wondering if someone can help me out before I do lots of research.
And, this was Alexandra's absolute FAVORITE part of the day - the zip line! She went on this 3 different times for a total of over an hour! And, yes, I tried to go off it once. I used to love these as a child, but I honestly had to sit down to make myself "jump." And, then I landed pretty hard on the bottom of one of my feet and it stung for about 15 minutes. I don't think I'll try to "zip" again anytime soon.
Looks like a fun place. I'm still laughing about the goats! I could almost picture it! Sorry, can't help you with the caterpillar/inchworm question, but I'm curious too. Let me know if you find out! Once again though awesome photos. I sure hope your foot is ok; that is certainly something I would have done to myself too.LOL
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Melissa
www.homeschoolblogger.com/melissal89
How fun but where is this place? I am actually keeping track of these places to take my boys. They would love that "zip" too.
ReplyDeleteAn inchworm is the name of the larvae of moths in the Lepidopteran family Geometridae. A true inchworm or Geometrid caterpillar has 3 pairs of true legs at the front end just like other caterpillars but only 2-3 pairs of prolegs (larval abdominal appendages) at the rear end.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this great website!
http://www.tulane.edu/~ldyer/lsacat/index.htm
I participated in an Earthwatch expedition with Dr. Dyer in Ecuador (June 2001). I basically hunted caterpillars for 2 weeks. :D
I had the same insect here this week....thanks for the id. :)
ReplyDeleteBarb-Harmony Art Mom
Looks like you had a great time! I loved all of the photos. My girls would have loved that zip line. We have a zip line in a water park that is near our city. We have not been yet, but I plan on bringing the girls one day during the summer.
ReplyDelete