The Tuesday we returned to school after the long Memorial Day weekend, Finn’s kindergarten class had a field trip to Eaton Canyon. The organizers asked for, and got, a lot of parent volunteers, which is a good thing. We walked from school over to the nature center and herding 50 or so 5- and 6-year-olds is never easy. I was hoping to get Finn and Charlie as my two charges, but got Finn and Rogan instead.
It was fine. We stopped part way in for a snack.
And then kept going to the nature center. Here’s Finn and Charlie in the home stretch.
We got a nice presentation from the ranger (and helpers) which included this albino King snake.
We learned that the King snake is not susceptible to rattle snake venom (thus, the king of the snakes). This one was probably someone’s pet that was abandoned in the canyon because it’s unlikely it would have made it to adulthood in the wild due to its lack of camouflage.
After the indoor presentation, we got to go in small groups around the nature center to see the native plants …
… and animals. Yes, that is a rattle snake!
He was kindly heading in the other direction after we inadvertently scared off the lizard he was hunting.
We continued along the trail, finding lots of poison oak along the way.
And then headed back to the picnic tables for lunch. Here’s Finn’s gang (left to right): Luca, Finley, Finn and Charlie.
After lunch we went on a scavenger hunt.
And then sang some songs while waiting for the stragglers to come in.
Finally, we took a bus back to school. Still all smiles.
