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 photo
Rubbing her hands, Sue Leach talks to her students at the start of their field trip. David F. Rooney photo
Marcia Woods shows her guide to North American birds to the AHE students prior to setting off on their field trip. Sue Leach photo
Alice Weber of Parks Canada, one of the experts brought along the field trip, helps a student. Sue Leach photo
Veteran bird watcher Josie Woodman assists some students with a spotting scope. Sue Leach photo
Retire parks Canada Biologist John Woods shares a laugh with a student. Sue Leach photo
A swallow perches outside a bird house. Sue Leach photo
Josie Woodman focuses her spotting scope. Sue Leach photo
While they were on their field trip the class encountered biologists studying painted turtles for BC Hydro. Sue Leach photo
Students crowd around biologist Nicole Basaraba to see a newly hatched turtle cradled gently in her hands. Sue Leach photo
This is the hole in the sand from which one of the young turtles emerged. Sue Leach photo
Marcia Woods, always a good story teller, talks to students on the field trip. Sue Leach photo
Students relax for a snack on the flats. Sue Leach photo
Biologist Michael Morris talks with students during the break. Sue Leach photo
Led by birder Marcia Woods, students head from the flats towards their next stop: the turtle pond on Sunnyside Road. David F. Rooney photo
marcia and John Woods talk to students about observing birds. David F. Rooney photo
Marcia Woods (left) peers through a spotting scope as her husband, John, talks to a student. David F. Rooney photo
Eager students peer through spotting scopes at the water fowl on the turtle pond. David F. Rooney photo
Marcia Woods focuses her scope on some water birds before turning it over to the students. David F. Rooney photo
Students lean agains the rails of a fence to steady their binoculars. David F. Rooney photo
Their smiles say it all: this field trip was a great one! Sue Leach photo