Ferns

The first order of business in the naturalist class I'm taken has been ferns.

Over the week, I needed to collect, identify, draw, press, and mount a fern specimen.

So Sunday I went out into our woods in search of ferns.

I never noticed before how many different species of ferns we have growing just along our little trail.

I saw at least eight different species (and succeeded--I think--in identifying six of them).

I brought the specimens back to the house to key out (it was too mosquitoey out there to sit and look at sori under a hand lens!). 

For a couple, I hadn't grabbed fertile fronds (which are often necessary for identification--see how much I've learned already?).

Now when I walk outside, I can say, "Sensitive fern!" or "Bracken fern!"--two that have clear characteristics (most of the others I would probably have to start again and key them out).

I'm looking for them everywhere I go!

I've set up my desk as a naturalist station, and I'm hoping it inspires the kids to join in (Z and I looked under the microscope at the little scent balls on the back of the hay-scented fern)

While I was out, I got a look at the river, which I haven't visited in a while, and which was running high thanks to all-day rain last Friday.



And waded through this gorgeous buttercup field.

I already love how this class is getting me outside more and noticing things that have slipped by my attention in the past.

What are you noticing this summer?