Some Nature Pictures

I have been meaning to post some pictures from various nature adventures, so here they are. The one below was taken at Preacher's mini-farm. The boys love to climb the tree next to the turkey pen. We need to get back up there and see if the baby turkeys have hatched yet.

This was the view from the cabin we rented in the Smokies when my parents were here last. It was so gorgeous!

And here's the baby Pygmy goat that was born last year. He's got his head stuck up through the feeding bin. I guess he thought we might have brought him lunch!

The picture below is of a cricket that we caught in our yard. We learned that they like to eat fruit so we gave him a peeled grape for a snack. Although, seeing as how the grape is about twice the size of the cricket, it would probably be more than a snack!

Well, there's a little taste of some of the nature experiences we've enjoyed during our homeschool days. Hopefully we'll have more to post soon!

Days Outdoors

We have had some wonderfully warm weather lately and have taken the opportunity to get outside and look for signs of spring. The signs are certainly there. We've noticed the daffodils and forsythia are beginning to bloom. Pastor's goats have just had babies and the hens and turkeys are laying eggs again. We've noticed more birds around lately and have heard some twitters and warbles that have been missing through the winter months. And, unfortunately, my nose is beginning to run. (Thank goodness for non-prescription Zyrtec!)

Last week we were on the way home from a nature walk and we met some neighbors that we hadn't talked to before. They live on one of the farm properties just up the street. They are a homeschooling family just like us, only they have four girls instead of three boys. We stayed and talked with them for a while and made plans to have a nature day together soon. Their property is over 30 acres which includes a pond and several horses that they board. No end to nature exploration!

The best part is, the park across from the church is just about ready to open. We'll have miles of hiking trails, two ponds, picnic shelters and the amphitheater just up the street from our house. We are truly blessed!