Autumn Nature Walk

On a  recent Sunday afternoon our dear friends called and asked us if we would like to join them at a local nature preserve. It being one of those rare, free from activity afternoons we took them up on the offer.

This deer was walking up someone's driveway on the street you drive up to the nature preserve. I am sure that if they had any vegetable or flower gardens that they were on the menu. 

This little guy was very curious about our van. He was wandering around the suburban streets leading to the nature preserve.  

This is outside the buterfly garden. Kelli is having a bit of a grunge phase in her fashion choices lately. I'm trying to ignore it.
We were welcomed by this guy. He got awfully close.

This sign is at the entrance.

There is a little nature center on the property with fish tanks of fish common to our bay area and lots of reptiles. There were also many examples of taxidermy of local animals and reptiles. Brendan was fascinated by all of this.

This is a genuine wigwam. The kids loved going in and out.

They raise honeybees here.  

Pond, complete with a billion mosquitos and lots of lily pads. We did not see any frogs much to everyones disappointment.

This is my beautiful friend Chris and her husband Dan. Chris and Dan are godparents to Bridgie and Dan is godfather to Brendan and Chris has Kevin. Sean just likes being near Chris so he had to be included in the picture too.  Don't ask me how I can be friends with someone who photographs so beautifully after mucking through buggy, swampy woods for an hour. It's annoying but I put up with it cause she's great.

This tree had fallen over the path, possibly a result of Irene, making a little tunnel for us to scrunch under. The children found this very thrilling.
 
 

A bunch of hobbit like people take a break.

So that was it. It was muddy and buggy but a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We stopped for some ice cream on the way home which seemed to be some people's favorite part of the day.

Have a lovely day friends. Back soon.