AHE field trip students got more than they bargained for
They thought they’d only be seeing birds but Arrow Heights Grade 3/4 students got more than they bargained for on a field trip to the flats and then the turtle pond in South Revelstoke on Monday.
While out with local wildlife experts John and Marcia Woods, Michael Morris, Alice Weber and Josie Woodman, Sue Leach’s class also encountered biologists studying painted turtles for BC Hydro and had the great good luck to see some of the newly hatched reptiles.
Here’s a series of photos from this fortuitous field trip:
Arrow Heights Elementary School Teacher Sue Leach leads her Grade3/4 class off a school bus at the Flying Club Monday for the start of a morning-long bird-watching field trip with local experts and parents. David F. Rooney photoRubbing her hands, Sue Leach talks to her students at the start of their field trip. David F. Rooney photoMarcia Woods shows her guide to North American birds to the AHE students prior to setting off on their field trip. Sue Leach photoAlice Weber of Parks Canada, one of the experts brought along the field trip, helps a student. Sue Leach photoVeteran bird watcher Josie Woodman assists some students with a spotting scope. Sue Leach photoRetire parks Canada Biologist John Woods shares a laugh with a student. Sue Leach photoA swallow perches outside a bird house. Sue Leach photoJosie Woodman focuses her spotting scope. Sue Leach photoWhile they were on their field trip the class encountered biologists studying painted turtles for BC Hydro. Sue Leach photoStudents crowd around biologist Nicole Basaraba to see a newly hatched turtle cradled gently in her hands. Sue Leach photoThis is the hole in the sand from which one of the young turtles emerged. Sue Leach photoMarcia Woods, always a good story teller, talks to students on the field trip. Sue Leach photoStudents relax for a snack on the flats. Sue Leach photoBiologist Michael Morris talks with students during the break. Sue Leach photoLed by birder Marcia Woods, students head from the flats towards their next stop: the turtle pond on Sunnyside Road. David F. Rooney photomarcia and John Woods talk to students about observing birds. David F. Rooney photoMarcia Woods (left) peers through a spotting scope as her husband, John, talks to a student. David F. Rooney photoEager students peer through spotting scopes at the water fowl on the turtle pond. David F. Rooney photoMarcia Woods focuses her scope on some water birds before turning it over to the students. David F. Rooney photoStudents lean agains the rails of a fence to steady their binoculars. David F. Rooney photoTheir smiles say it all: this field trip was a great one! Sue Leach photo
