Wednesday was another great day as we made our way out to Sawhill Ponds for a Naturalist tour around the water. Before we got on the bus in the morning, we had time to make snakes, which were used for bracelets, toy snakes, and even bookmarks. We ended up with very colorful and creative snakes. Once the bus returned from Eldorado Canyon, we loaded up and headed out to the Ponds.
Upon arrival at Sawhill Ponds, we settled into the picnic tables for a delicious lunch before our Naturalist guide Robin arrived. We began our tour by wading in the water around the edge of the pond looking for reptiles. Our bus driver Ed was able to find us a toad in the mud, and caught it for all of us to see. We also found shrimp, maefly larva, and tiny snakes in the water. Out of the water we were able to look at all the creatures and plants we had scooped up under magnifying glasses.
Next we headed out on a hike around the lake to look for more creatures and to read a story that taught us all about what reptiles are, and how they are different from mammals and amphibians. Our guide Robin was extremely helpful and we were very grateful to have her there. After the story we had to jump back on the bus to get back just in time for GORP, which the Star Wars GORP Eating Tree Snakes had created, before parents came to pick up the campers.
Tags: MDC Jr., Naturalists, reptiles, Sawhill Ponds