Turning over rocks and stones to see what’s living beneath them is a great outdoor activity to get children interested in nature. Salamanders, ants, spiders, worms and slugs all like to snuggle down beneath stones. Though each overturning will produce fairly similar results, once they start, children likely won’t be satisfied until they’ve overturned every stone in sight.
During one such session with my grandson last week, I was amazed at the large number of ant tunnels and ants to be found beneath the stones. Their numbers seem far greater than they used to be. Good thing there are lots of birds here too. This spring I’ve already seen flickers and woodpeckers digging for ants in the lawn and woods. Besides eating great amounts of these insects, flickers are known to keep feather parasites in check by preening themselves with crushed ants.
Salamanders found under stone in mint bed
Frogs and toads also eat their fair share of ants. Homes can easily be made for these creatures among the stones. Reptiles also like to dwell beneath stones. According to my sons, snakes have frequently been found under the rocks at the end of the driveway near the ditch.
One evening years ago, I was startled to see flashlights suddenly brightening the living room window. As I opened the door, I was relieved to see that it was only our friendly neighbors turning over stones along the flower bed in search of bait for the next morning’s fishing trip. Besides humans, raccoons are other omnivores that are known to turn over stones in search of hidden treasure, especially in streams.
If you do turn over stones, be sure to put them back in the same place afterwards. Children will quickly learn to do this if you make it a pre-requisite to turning over the next stone.
Amy, good morning! cindy lou was asking on my blog yesterday where you’ve been this week…so I just directed her over to your blog. Interesting idea to turn over stones and see what’s underneath. Aren’t there so many ideas coming up this time of year? Kind of the way there’s so many plants coming up! Isn’t it awesome in the woods now?
Yes, the woods are absolutely full of life these days. Unfortunately, the black flies and mosquitoes will soon be out in full force too.
This week I’ve mostly been busy getting prints and paintings ready to sell at the local Inn for the upcoming tourist season. I’ll be stopping by for a visit soon. Put on the tea 😉
The tea is on, Amy! Yep, was thinking about those black flies and mosquitos and gnats and no-see-ums yesterday. We have these lovely moments of relative “peace” in the woods before the biting starts! Good luck with your prints and paintings. I admire your artist skills.
Good morning, Amy!
I decided to pop over here and check out your blog, too. Is it Nova Scotia that you live in? One of the places I’ve always wanted to go – I used to sing in a chorale group and one year we did a medley of Nova Scotian fishing songs. The melodies were hauntingly lovely and it’s been since then that I’ve wanted to journey to your area.
Now my new morning routine will include reading Kathy’s blog and yours! With my cup of tea…what a good way to start the days!
Have a wondermous weekend!
Hi Cindy, yes I’m in Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast. Music plays a big role in the culture out here. Haunting is a good word to describe some of it, especially the Celtic music. Thanks for popping over. Hope to see you back again soon 🙂