I was so happy to join them today on the Field Study to Texas Discovery Gardens and I definitely needed their hugs and their joyfulness! It was a wonderful trip ....
Of course, being my first day back, I forgot my GOOD camera! But, I managed to capture some moments and I know a couple of the moms got some shots -- so I can add some more in in the next few days!
Waiting to go inside ... some are more excited than others!
Do we have to listen to the rules? AGAIN .............
The brown "blob" in the middle of the picture is a little bird inside of
the Butterfly House at Texas Discovery Gardens ... the children witnessed it
eating a few butterflies! But they knew that birds prey on butterflies for food!
One of the 5 butterflies that landed on me! I hope that means good luck!
I think they liked the color of my Manara Shirt!
We found a great spot and the kids pulled out their "explorer papers" and drew pictures of what they saw and what they were experiencing. It was wonderful the things they noticed when they sat for about 20 minutes just watching the butterflies land ... they saw some drinking nectar, one that was injured, and the others just enjoying flying around in the sunshine! A few said they really felt like they were in the rain forest exploring because it was so HOT inside of the butterfly house! It was wonderful to watch them take in nature!
These are REAL butterflies which have died ... they keep their color so they are great to look at ... such beautiful colors and patterns!
Here are some cocoons and chrysalis
Moths build cocoons by wrapping themselves in a silk-like "web"
Butterflies actually shed their skin and turn in to the chrysalis
Either way -- it's truly amazing how much energy they use to do that!
Yes ... a TARANTULA!
The HISSING COCKROACH
STICK BUGS ... which are kind of hard to see!
These insects enjoying some MANGO!
I believe they were called Fruit Chafers
Our Butterfly Class!
The children were "wowing" the teacher with all their EXPERT knowledge!!!
A cocoon -- which is pretty tough -- that is why the kids could touch it!
A chrysalis is very delicate and fragile -- so it was in plastic
we could look .... but not TOUCH!
A zebra longwing drinking nectar
The children saw LOTS of these while we were eating lunch ... these little guys were
EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!
Some of the gorgeous flowers in the outside gardens!
GIRLS!!!!!!
BOYS!!!!
EVERYONE!!!
A few of our classmates missed todays adventure ...
we MISSED them!!!!!
That is a poison dart frog! YES ... they are real.
Apparently they eat FIRE ANTS and that is where they get their poison from!
CRAZY ... he's so SMALL ... but I love this colors!
Back in our classroom we had MUCH excitement when we got back from the field study.
The kids were observing our chrysalis and we watched 3 butterflies emerge! It was so exciting!!!!!
We will release some of our butterflies onto the field on Friday so that they can experience FREEDOM for a few days of their short life!
