Thursday, May 22, 2014

Into the Woods













With the sun shining overhead, we went into the woods looking for adventure. As soon as we stepped out of the car we were greeted by the sound of the ruffed grouse. As we meandered along the trail, and over bridges, we heard the ruffed grouse many more times, stopping each time to take it in. It is a pretty amazing sound. As we walked on, the water ran along beside us, creating a sense of peace and tranquility only the sound of rushing water can offer.

We moved from forest to meadow and back to the forest again. We stopped to let a cardinal serenade us, watching him fly from treetop to treetop between songs. As we walked by the pond we heard the frogs and all attention turned to finding them among the cattails and logs in the water. We found quite a few and sat for a while watching them.

We moved on, intrigued by the name of the trail ahead, The Turtle Trail. Wondering if we might find a turtle we followed the path to another pond. No turtle, but lots of tadpoles. Little hands began reaching into the water. There were tadpoles fished from the pond, then released. Laughter filled the air, the sun warmed our cheeks, and nature soothed our souls.

Tired, but happy, we headed home. It was a great morning in the woods.

What's going on in the woods where you live?

Joining Country Kids

30 comments:

  1. What a great post! We haven't gotten out to the woods yet this year. Hopefully soon!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen. It was a pretty great morning :)

      Delete
  2. I love being in the woods. I remember catching tadpoles as a kid and then watching as they turned into little frogs, my poor mama, they were all over the porch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know you do Tracey :) Haha, too funny, I did that as a kid too. We raised some last year and then released them. So much fun. Reece has not asked to do it this year, so I think we will just leave them in the pond and visit them often.

      Delete
  3. Just adore the tiny tadpole picture! We are enjoying the trillium blooming in the forest areas near us, as their short season passes so quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are pretty cute. We are thinking these ones just hatched, as they are so small. Yay for trilliums. We have been enjoying them too. So simple and beautiful.

      Delete
  4. What a lovely morning you had! That frog is beautiful!
    WE haven't had much chance for walking in the woods this passed week (lots of work in the yard), but our blue jays are back. Not such a peaceful sound, but always a source of laughter when they start chatting with us. We have a huge male that comes back to live every year in our big Douglas Fir. Every spring, he attracts half a dozen females to the "party"... Lets just say, my 3 yo already knows about "the birds". LOL!

    Wishing you a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We most certainly did.

      Haha, that is too funny. Do you guys not have blue jays year round? They are here winter and summer for us.

      Hope you had a good day.

      Delete
  5. Oh, the Marsh Marigold is just beautiful!

    Our latest walk in the woods brought us to a small wetland where we saw three painted turtles sunning themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it? I love them too. How lovely, that must have been wonderful to witness. I bet your little man loved it. Have him peek at the blog tomorrow, I think he will like what Reece found at the creek yesterday :)

      Delete
  6. beautiful photos! What a lovely walk through the woods! I wish we had something like that close to us. Only shrub and beach nearby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Summer. Hey, the beach isn't a bad thing to have close by :)

      Delete
  7. I can't believe the tadpoles are already growing! This week has been windy and hot. And getting hotter. Next week should be in the triple digits. We are funny enough hunkering down for the summer like you would for winter. At least until monsoons arrive in late july to cool things off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are! That is funny, hunkering down for summer :) Hang in there, and try to stay cool.

      Delete
  8. You must walk so quietly and wait to get those photos of frogs....I'm afraid I move too much and too noisy. And that is what I was like as a child in the woods :) I think my non stop chatter frightened all wild life away!! My dirt road walk through the woods gives me such joy and I've been eyeing up the frogs that live in huge forever puddles. No photo as of yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We certainly try to. Reece and I often "fox walk" through the woods, which means to walk as quiet as a fox so we don't disturb wildlife :)

      Can't wait to see a photo of your frogs :)

      Delete
  9. What a lovely day. I love running streams, bush tracks, the trees, wildlife etc. Sounds perfect! Kim, I haven't sent your parcel yet. Just wanting to add something to it. Soon. xxoo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was absolutely perfect. This conservation area is a little treasure and we love it so. Awe, no worries. You are so sweet for even thinking of sending it. xo

      Delete
  10. Oh those kinds of adventures as simply the most amazing way to re-set and refresh! The patient discovering and the fresh air! Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. such beautiful photographs, a lovely little adventure #CountryKids

    ReplyDelete
  12. You live in such a beautiful place! Your posts remind me of our many hikes in the desert when our children were younger. Such wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely photos of a love place! Something really different. I am use to seeing the beach. I wish we have something like this cuz it sure looks fun to explore & see frogs =) #CountryKids

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It is fun, but we also think the beach is fun too :)

      Delete
  14. Connecting with nature and enjoying the simple things in life - perfect. Great photos of the frogs and the children enjoying the tranquility of their surroundings. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simple things...yes!! That is how we roll around here :) Thank you, it was great morning and I was pleased I was able to catch it all through my photos. As always, thanks for hosting.

      Delete
  15. Aw, I love this!! Love those ferns and what a cute frog! I haven't picked up a tadpole since I was very little.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elisa, it was an awesome morning. Can't wait to go back and see how big the tadpoles are now :)

      Delete