Nature Loving Summer (Raising little naturalists)

This summer we discovered Tannersville Cranberry Bog, a national, natural landmark. We visited the bog while in the Poconos for vacation. It was neat! The bog walk out on the board walk was super educational (we had a knowledgeable guide) and we were able to experience a bog. I thought that real peat bogs only existed in Scotland and places far, far away, but Tannersville was not too far for a morning out with the kids. Discussing our time there later, I got some of the children's brilliant take-aways, like: seeing otter scat, holding a salamander and the stinky odor of the bog. I hope they remember our time there, and perhaps, we'll visit again sometime.
We finally got out to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area this week. We enjoyed the visitor's center and the conservation trail that begins at the visitor center parking lot. The visitor's center is full of activities for children and there is a viewing room for watching birds. We enjoyed watching the swallows dart in and out around the roof overhang. On the trail we saw so many butterflies, wildflowers, different species of trees in the deciduous forest. We were scolded by a cardinal and saw quite a few quick flying, bright yellow birds. I'm not really a birder, but it was super fun getting out into nature with the children and Middle Creek is a special place for birds.