November Nature Walk: Highlights of the Forest

In the previous nature trail blog, I focused

on the school children's experience.  Here,

I'd like to share a few closeups of highlights

of our fall walk.

Here are the star-shaped leaves of the sweetgum.

It is often known by the seed-bearing "stickerballs."

The next two shots show the array of

colors of the abundant red maples.

This shot highlights the bumpy texture of

Old Man Poplar's trunk.  How much longer

can it stand?

We also have sugar maples on the trail.

I love this vibrant gold.

The single green leaves among the dried

brown leaves are Cranefly Orchid, one of

the most unusual plants on the trail.  The

underside of the leaves is purple.  These

plants emerge in the fall and die down in

the spring, just the opposite of most plants.

In the previous blog, I showed students

viewing this moss-covered trunk which

spans the creek banks.  Here's a better

view.  I wouldn't walk on it; it's been

decaying here for two decades.  On the

other hand, I don't know how long it

could remain.  But please don't test it!

Here are the dying fronds (leaves) of the

Royal Fern, one of our less common species.

Even though there was a pool of water at

Big Rock and some other spots, there was

no water under the bridge.

There were still many samples of heart-

shaped wild ginger once we crossed the

bridge (leading off of school property).

Each student received a tiny piece of the

aromatic leaves to carry along.

The still-green fronds of the Christmas

fern demonstrate the diversity of the

fern family.  Old fronds will die down,

but many will remain green all winter long.

Sunlight filters through these magnolia

leaves.  This is another sort of evergreen.

We noted this tree had been struck by

lightning at some point in its life.  There

are many examples of natural  damage

throughout the woods.

These cinnamon ferns lend their colors

to the changing landscape.

Strong winds and shallow roots are a

combination that occasionally result in

uprooted trees.  Its fun to see the changes

on the trail from one visit to the next.

Here's a closeup of the spiny vines of

Smilax (scientific name), also known as

cat-brier and wait-a-minute vine.  It can

deliver painful scratches.

This picture was taken from atop Big

Rock, looking down into the stream bed.

Don't you wish you could walk this

trail today?  Why don't you?

As I drove away from school that day

I stopped on McCaskill Road and took

this panoramic shot of the nature trail's

canopy.  I can't wait for my next visit.

If you're on Facebook, I invite you to

visit the Friends of the Sandhills Farm

Life Nature Trail page.  All my nature

trail photos from over the years are

posted in albums there.

November Nature Walk: Focus on Students

In case you're wondering, the Sandhills Farm

Life Nature Trail never shuts down.  If you can

get there, it's open even in the winter.  Every

season has its plusses, but Fall is one of my

favorite times to explore the hidden treasures

of the trail each year.

In early November, Mrs. Teague and Mrs.

Cameron's 2nd graders were the latest class

to experience the wonders of this great

resource of our school and community.

The looks on the faces of these eager

students confirms that they are highly

motivated about visiting their outdoor

classroom.  And what an attentive and

inquisitive group of learners they were!

One of our first stops was the unique

poplar tree we have named "Jack, Will,

and Tom."  Students wait patiently

for their turn at a spectacular view.

This is three trees in one, an icon as

well as an important landmark on the trail.

With two dozen pairs of eyes

diligently seeking unusual finds,

it's not surprising that the children

discovered countless acorns that

were sprouting all over the place.

Young hickory trees are abundant

and colorful along the trail.

As we progress, you can see how

observant the young naturalists are.

They use all their senses on this walk.

The last class that walked the trail was

fortunate to be able to climb on Big Rock.

Mrs. Teague's class was not so lucky;

there was sufficient water in the stream to

make a crossing too treacherous.  None

of us adults wanted to be responsible for

muddy shoes or damp clothes.

While we surveyed the area around Big

Rock, I pointed out the moss-covered log

that spans the stream.  This log is the

remnant of a massive tree that fell across

the forest some twenty years ago.  During

the first few years, we had to clamber over

it to get to Big Rock.  Now we simply walk

on the humus formed from its long-decayed

trunk.  Apparently, the portion of the trunk

that crosses the creek has been sustained to

a degree by being "air-dried" and by not

being in contact with the damp ground.

I offer the following three pictures as

evidence that our sourwood trees were

the most festive of the fall display.

The sunlight played gently

 with the autumn hues.

I couldn't help but be reminded of the

variegated colors of Indian corn.

The leaves below are also sourwood, but

were sheltered and had not yet turned.

So, we had a sourwood chew for a snack.

I told you earlier that we used all our

senses, and that included taste!

Among the many plants that are now being

subdued by killing frosts and freezes is our

nemesis, KUDZU! (aka the plant that wants

to take over the world)

Fighting this non-native and invasive vine

may be a losing endeavor, but I intend to

do what I can to minimize its impact on

our trail.  It has the great advantage of

spreading through the treetops.  Where

is Tarzan when I need him?

Part of the secret to my success in the

classroom is to demonstrate how little

things are really big things and get

children to buy into the excitement.

So our last moments on the trail were

for the boys, then the girls to attempt

to straighten Old Man Poplar.  The boys'

best efforts were unsuccessful.

The girls couldn't do this monumental task

either, but the point is, none of them will

ever forget their encounter with this unusual

old tree.  To them, it is now an old friend

of the forest; an aged, leaning patriarch

whom they tried their best to assist.

One day, when that tree falls, hundreds

of students will no doubt embellish the

stories of their exploits here.

Back in the classroom, we had just enough

time for a Molly Whuppie folktale.  It was

a thoroughly pleasant afternoon, and these

children have joined an ever-growing group

of young folks: The Keepers of the Trail.

As busy as the Christmas season will be,

there should be several nice days for a

fall or early-winter stroll down these paths.

I invite you to do just that.

My next blog post will contain photos I

took later that same day after the students

had gone home.  Hopefully, you'll

find it informative and useful. 

November Fun

November was a month of great fun around

the Loyd place.  We were happy that most

of the days set aside for babysitting were

also suitable for being outdoors.

We're getting a few more days usage out

of our washing machine box.  It's a perfect

fit to convert our Li'l Tykes slide into a

two story tower of terror.  Or whatever.

Brianna gives a shy wave of greeting

from her castle fair.

This must be just the right age for Bri to

start enjoying our tire swing horsie.  Up

until now, I had to help hold her on.

Bri has a blast raking (or "sweeping," as she

calls it).  And then a rogue leaf has the nerve

to land in her hair!

It took a quick snap to catch Bri in

mid-kick.  But what's she kicking?

Grandma and Hunter don't know, either.

But it's fun to watch Bri.

And Hunter thinks swinging is even more

fun than playing in the leaves.

And part of the fun is having Grandpa

fetch the ball Hunter drops.

Whoa!  Sometimes these balls can be

a little overwhelming!

Claire and Evan both like climbing in this

snazzy canvas beach chair, a gift from our

good friend Ray.  It's just their size.

Claire: "Well, there's supposed to be room

for two, if somebody didn't hog it all."

"Grandpa, make sure you don't miss

any of my jewelry."

How many young Americans topped off

their Thanksgiving feast by climbing the

nearest magnolia tree?  Well, Claire did.

Evan: "Wow, Sis, you must be at least

18 inches off the ground!"

Caption 1: "Touchdown, Panthers!"

Caption 2: "Claire go boom."

Kitty Cat decides to spend a little quality

time with his kinfolks.  Since it's 35 outside.

Grandpa has cool videos.  Micky Mouse,

big trucks, AND airplanes.

Funny how a good video can draw a crowd.

Grandma can also draw a crowd.

But Evan's just waiting for a chance to

make a grab for Grandma's glasses.

Fall is drawing to a close, and what a

wonderful fall season it has been.  But

December can bring even more special

times and memories.  Get ready!