Field Trips!

Hi all! Nicole here, and since I’m the semi-local of the group I wanted to write about places I’ve been showing the others! Yay field trips! But first here are some pictures of my Black Oystercatcher nest through a scope!

Also here’s a picture of the sunset from the house we’re staying in!

A few weeks ago we used one of our half days off to go to a tide pool beach where we saw tadpoles (in freshwater pools), anemones, chitons, crabs, hermit crabs, sea snails, and a few other cool things.  Here’s a picture of Jeffrey looking contemplative:

And Kyle and Leo taking lots of pictures:

Crab friend!

And a gorgeous Garter Snake that was hanging out by the trail!

A few days later we went to Anderson Valley to check out the Rock Stop (a geology shop) and a small apple orchard.  The orchard had some friendly dogs that took a liking to Leo and Kyle:

This dog especially liked trying to herd Kyle and would try to tag him with his paw when Kyle wasn’t looking.

And then we stopped in the redwood forest on the way back!

My mom came to visit last weekend and we played a lot of Settlers of Catan (Kyle continued his winning streak).  We’ve been going through my childhood art supplies and I found my old loom that I’ve started making a purse on!

I passed on joining their game of Risk, and I’m glad I did…it has been going on for more than a week now (Leo and Jeffrey are fighting it out).

And Leo observing Pelagic Cormorants in front of the house:

Lastly on Thursday Kyle and I headed to a part of the Gualala River where we a lot of really cool animals, including a swimming Garter Snake…

…and what we think is a Crayfish? Kyle almost stepped on it!

Now we’re visiting Jeffrey’s parents in Sonoma! We’ll probably spend tomorrow swimming and enjoying the unlimited wifi!

Lots more to come!

Nicole