But Not the Reptiles and Amphibians…

Because the weather is still hit and miss around here, our expectations were low about completing this month’s Outdoor Hour challenges about reptiles and amphibians over at the Handbook of Nature Study blog. It actually snowed again on April 24th!

Pansies and snow…does this seem right?

With a growing case of cabin fever, we pulled up our boots straps and got going anyway after the snow cleared and the sun came out in all its glory. We couldn’t stray far, of course, with little Sweet Pea taking a nap, but God always amazes us with the creation in our backyard! Here is our nature study version of Sandra Boynton’s book, But Not the Hippopotamus, on our hunt for reptiles and amphibians:

We took a look at all the parts of the dandelions popping up in the grass. Our conversation strayed as far as, “If we get really hungry, we can eat the leaves just like they did on the Oregon trail, Mom.  It’s like salad!”  But not the reptiles…

A nutria, a large herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America that has been introduced to North America for its fur but is now considered an invasive pest, (that’s a mouthful!) has built a nest near the big cottonwood tree. But not the amphibians…

The creek that was bone dry for the last couple of years actually had running water in it. All three were looking for the tiny spring peepers we have found here before. But not the reptiles…

Ginkgo found some earthworms and Elm tried his hand at building a rock dam. But not the amphibians…

We captured a photo of a robin perched on a fence, and Daffodil peeked in on the baby sparrows in our birdhouse. But not the reptiles…

A beautiful mullein plant was spotted near the creek and is perfect for a pretend campfire in the kids brush fort! But not the amphibians…

With exclamations of, “This is the best nature study ever,” from Elm, Ginkgo shouted, “But, yes, the reptile!”

Look real close and you can see its tail, a foreleg, and an opposite hind leg. It’s a skink, we think:)