The Hike Continues

This morning we arrived in the Wissahickon for a day of hiking in the cool spring weather. We pushed farther north than last time and split our time between a low trail near the creek and a high trail. This route allowed us to examine a variety of habitats all the way from the banks of the creek to rocky bluffs and overhangs above, past a pond to a secluded patch of forest, and over small tributaries coming down into the valley.

Over the course of the morning we came upon several interesting creatures including Canada geese and goslings, mallard ducks, frogs, worms, centipedes, and some amazing clumps of tent caterpillars which are amassing in huge numbers this week ahead of their transition into moths. Part of the group also thought they caught a glimpse of the bald eagle that has been spotted by other visitors to the Wissahickon this week.

We gather at the trailhead.

The kids remember a bridge crossed on previous outings.

The kids explore some freshly eroded soil from yesterday's downpour.

Dorian helps the kids read a historical marker along the trail.

We come across some geese and their goslings.

A cave-like overhang interests some of the children.

One of the children spots and correctly identifies a male mallard and a female nearby.

At our snack spot the kids take some time to dig.

Some interesting creatures surface among the diggers.

The kids elect to climb their way up to the high trail.

We pause at a pond to look for frogs.

We spot some tent caterpillars nearby.

The kids examine the caterpillars more closely.

Some of kids do some "horseback riding."

A small stone tossing operation quickly grows in scale.

The children enjoy producing record-breaking splashes in the creek down below.