Today Dan from White Pine Programs in Maine came and took us on a back country adventure through through the Barrington Headwaters. Even though we had walked through the same reserve yesterday, today was a totally new experience. As an environmental educator and avid hiker, today was a radical departure from many of the outdoor experiences I have had. We didn't set foot on a single trail. I have been told to stay on trails at many of the sanctuaries I have worked at for fear of ticks or other potentially dangerous wildlife encounters. Today opened my eyes to a number of possibilities, most of which require the kids themselves to take more initiative in their natural experiences. Dan talked a lot about encouraging kids to have more experiences that immerse them fully in their surroundings and I certainly felt immersed in the forest today. I had no real way of getting my bearings, and that was half the fun. Without a trail in site, I felt as though each discovery and observation was something truly special. Lots of students never even get the chance to go to a sanctuary with trails, let alone go off path. I plan to use Dan's techniques in future lessons to bring an element of adventure to my classes.
Termite damage and tunneling evidence in a pine.
Termite evidence in a cluster of old pines.
Moth camouflaged on pine.
Closer view: the moth blends in very well in leaf litter and bark.
Bracken ferns abound!
A tupelo black gum with a porcupine nest inside.
A view up the tupelo black gum tree.
Porcupine scat will eventually turn into quality soil.
More animal evidence: flying squirrel scat coming out of a nest.
Sap suckers (a type of bird) make small taps in trees to drink the sap within.
A large cavity in a white pine made by a pileated woodpecker.
Your series of photographs of sign are excellent. This will be a helpful resource in the future and for your research project.
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