Mudpuppy - (Nature Camp) June 19, 2006

Mudpuppy - (Nature Camp) June 2006

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

On Monday night the campers are at main beach setting their aquatic bug traps.  These traps consists of a small flashlight in a plastic bottle that is placed inside a bigger tube with a funnel at one end.  Traps are placed in the water and the insects go in the funnel but can’t find their way out.  Campers find lots of water beetles, small minows and little wiggly larva.

Here is a dragonfly nymph that is about ready to emerge from its exoskeleton.

One of the kids spots this foot long mudpuppy just a few feet from the shore of main beach on Lake Shavehead. Everyone is very excited about this find.

Empty chrysalis- June 29, 2006

IMG_1795

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Walking down Massasauga trail behind the Tamarack Lodge I find this empty chrysalis. I don’t know what emerged from this?

Hypnotized Wood Frog- June 21 2006

hypnotized wood frog

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

During a hike on turtle hill a nature camper found this wood frog. I began rubbing the frog’s belly. About 5 to 10 second later the frog goes into a hypnotized state. While it is in this state I can still see it swallowing but other than that it’s as if it is frozen stiff. After about 45 to 60 seconds the frog turned over and eventually hops away.

I read about this activity in a wonderful book, Talking to Fireflies, Shrinking the Moon: Nature Activities for All Ages
by Edward Duensing.  This book has wonderful simple nature activities that kids (and adults) will love. I highly recommend it.

Nature camper emerging from the Swamp Hike - June 2006

Swamp hike camper going under

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here is a nature adventure camper coming up from a dip during the swamp hike.