About two weeks ago, our class visited the Noland Trail and were instructed to write a journal entire about their experience. It was refreashing to get out of the classroom and have a hands on approach to nature. Somebody can talk about wildlife for hours on end but being able to be surrounded is a whole different perspective. You can become emerged in it and experience sounds and sights you cannot describe in a classroom. We talked about prospects which are different visibilities through either trees or bushes. The medium prospect is significantly different than the far prospect. Through a clearing in the trees the class got to see a body of water in the far prospect which was stunning. The medium prospect the visibility is not as clear as the far prospect and gives a much different perspective. The far prospect is much more inspiring than the medium prospect but they are both pleasurable.
At the beginning of our walk we stopped and observed different kinds of pine trees. We could distinguish the different types by their needles. Some needles were long and narrow while others were short and thick. It was interesting to compare and contrast the different families that grew alongside one another. When we got to a bridge something truly magical happened, several box turtles were swimming right under us. Then out of nowhere a large snapping turtle came to investigate what was making some much noise. The slow movements of its arms and legs was mesmerizing. The turtle looked like a prehistoric animal similar to the dinosaurs. Its large, sharp snapper showed its strength and ability to show its power. I had only seen one snapping turtle prior to that and I was very little. Needless to say, the sight was special and a rare opportunity to see wildlife up close. No amount of classtime or lectures could compare to this experience.
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