We are enjoying the cool autumn weather with nature walks every day. We follow the suggestions given on the Outdoor Hour Challenge and always have a fun yet educational experience. Lately we have found several different galls. The large one we know is a wasp gall,

The small one I found I believe is called an apple gall. It was located on the bud growth of an oak and has hollow chambers inside.

I found some beautiful red ones under a cedar tree. I cut one open and it had a small white larvae inside.  The inside change from a beautiful white to a dried up red in a matter of moments.  

 

The girls found several on oak leaves with small orange larvae inside.

 

 

We don’t know the name of everything we find but the hunt makes for a lot of fun sketching in our nature journals. I cannot imagine all the beautiful facets of nature I have missed out on in my life time simply because I didn’t take time to be observant. I am glad I am able to have these times with my girls; teaching them about God’s wonders all around us on our 80 acres.

We are not currently doing a mushroom lesson but have found a great variety on our walks. I have been taking pictures and journaling information to have for when we do have extra time to discuss them. Here are some of the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

And these are only a few of the mushrooms we have found.  I really didn't know we had such a wide variety of types on our property.  It will be fun to learn more about them.  One thing I enjoy about being an educator is that there is never a day that passes that I don't learn something new.  It makes life a lot more interesting.

Until next time,
Pennysue