Good Morning Watershed Explorers,
I am always really mesmerized as the trees start to fill in at this time of year. I love looking out into my backyard and seeing what now looks like a real forest, instead of the bare branches I saw just a month ago. It's truly amazing. The best is looking up through the trees at the beautiful blue sky, and puffy white clouds. I often get lost daydreaming, and think, what could be better than this?
The terrible part is that as much as I feel like an expert on most items having to do with water, I am not an expert on trees. I wish that I could look at a tree and tell what kind it is, but the best I can do is tell the evergreens from the deciduous. Here is a great resource page that compares the two.
I know that with distance learning there isn't a ton of time left in your day, but I really hope that you leave some time to get outside and explore. Exploring is learning. Just the mere experience of catching or holding a critter can be a lesson all of its own. I am going to challenge myself to learn a bit more about trees. Trees are habitats for so many of the critters I love, and it would be great to know more about them and why certain trees make such great homes for animals.
If there is something that you have always wanted to learn about or know more about, I encourage you to get out there and learn about it. The computer can be a great resource, but nothing beats a real-world encounter. There are so many different, and wonderful trees right in my own backyard. I can observe the leaves, the bark, the cones, the berries, even just the color can tell some trees apart from each other.
Today is already an absolutely gorgeous day, so put on some sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and the proper clothing, watch out for that poison ivy, and get outside! I will be out there too!
Have a great day Watershed Explorers!
Much love,
Mrs. Morissette