Hello friends! Today is the winter solstice and a whole chapter is devoted to this day in Exploring Nature With Children.
The weather here has been mostly extremely wet and windy.
We found many signs of winter:
• The pale winter sun, low in the sky
• A nibbled evergreen cone
• Birds’ nests visible in the bare trees
• Animal tracks in mud
• Glossy, prickly Holly leaves
• A delicate leaf skeleton
• Leaves still hanging from a tree
• Spiky Pine Needles
• Lichen on fallen wood
• Bright red berries
In other news, I am working steadily on Rosie’s new socks, using her hand-dyed yarn.
Once they are finished, I would like to get to work on a small shawl for myself using some yarn I finished spinning recently.
Christmas is almost upon us & there is much excitement chez Little Shoots! Only three more sleeps 🙂
How was your nature walk this week?
Beautiful pics!
Thank you very much 🙂
Hi Lynn
We haven’t managed a walk yet, maybe tomorrow or the next day, we have been so busy with Christmas type things, visiting and being visited, we did talk about the solstice and the weather of course, still waiting for that frost symbol!
Last week we went to Titchwell marshes in Norfolk (it was going to be WWT welney but we changed our minds) we have only just recovered from the excitement. As soon as we got there there were two friendly robins and a wren in the car park, we went in and saw lots of finches on the feeders, then we got to the Marsh areas, teal, gadwall, pink footed geese, greylags, Brent geese, swans, shelduck, godwits, curlew, little egret, a water rail, avocets and the most amazing
Drum roll please
Not one but two hunting hen harriers.
Phew, according to the children it was the best day ever, my son has asked to go back as his birthday treat! If you are ever nearby I would highly recommend it for a trip out for nature loving children, there is plenty to see in all seasons, worth the travelling. We even got Dad to do a journal entry! The staff and volunteers were all lovely and the facilities good although we took a picnic didn’t try the café.
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas, and looking forward to the new year we have so many plans!
Jenny
That is a very exciting day, Jenny!!! I love to hear your children’s responses; they are so filled with wonder 🙂
Lovely as always to hear from you.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Lynn, we’ve not managed a walk this week (apart from shops and back) – Christmas preparations abound – loving your photos 🙂 and wishing you a Happy Christmas! elizabeth x
Merry Christmas to you too! Yes, it is a busy time of year x