 We're taking some time to feature and thank some of the staff members that have worked with us this year. This week we have Program Instructor Thomas. Thank you for joining us and the students outside this year! Where are you from? Lakewood, CA Favorite book? Marvel’s Civil War, the Graphic Novel Favorite Disney movie? UP What was your favorite class / teacher in school? Ecology What brought you to TP? The opportunity to work in nature What's your favorite Trail at TP and why? The waterfall hike! All of the different terrain and cool features along the entire trail What's your favorite Camp meal? Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese What's your favorite dance from dance night? The Cowboy Macarena What 5 things would you carry in your survival pack? Knife, water filter, waterproof matches, space blanket, compass What are you looking forward to next? Getting Married in July!  A not so cuddly friend we see here is the Wolf spider! Don’t worry he doesn’t howl at the moon or eat you; he does however have some fur and will hunt its prey. The wolf spider finds a warm dry spot in houses and will rest in cracks or baseboards during the day. At night he’ll come out and search for food such as beetles, ants, or other small insects. Unlike most spiders, this guy doesn’t spin a web, instead he uses his 8 eyes to see prey, and his 8 legs to run at a rapid pace to catch or corner dinner. We don’t worry about being bitten, they aren’t aggressive towards humans, and they are beneficial to have in your home if you don’t like other bugs around!  The Black Bear Winter is over and a quick Spring has arrived into hot summer! This means prime weather conditions to invite the American Black Bear out of hibernation. After waking from their deep sleep in the spring, they will begin to forage for berries, roots, nuts, and are not opposed to finding protein from bees, ants, larvae, and yellow jackets. If they live near a human population they will use their incredible sense of smell from miles away to find leftovers in trash cans or even campsite coolers. Using nimble paws to manipulate most jars, cans, and door handles that we may think are closed tight; the black bear can eat most anything. Predators are not a huge concern for these big animals, cubs are more in danger if a coyote or mountain lion is near. As always it’s smart to hike along with others and if you find yourself face to face with a black bear there are steps to keep safe. Speak in a calm, appeasing tone, back away slowly, walk, don't run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react. In most cases, the bear will flee.   We're taking some time to feature and thank some of the staff members that have worked with us this year. This week we have Program Instructor Clay! Thank you for joining us and the students outside this year! Where are you from? Santa Maria, CA Favorite book? The Bible Favorite Disney movie? The Goofy Movie What was your favorite class / teacher in school? Art History What brought you to TP? Ministry and Outdoors What's your favorite Trail at TP and why? Waterfall, it's challenging and rewarding! What's your favorite Camp meal? Burger night! What's your favorite dance from dance night? The Americano What 5 things would you carry in your survival pack? Lighter, Lifestraw, hatchet, rope, space blanket What are you looking forward to next? Publishing my book!   One visitor we’ve been missing at camp is the Mule Deer. This seasonal friend has traveled just a bit lower in elevation than our snowy mountain for a couple months to find food. The Mule deer’s diet consists of grasses and flowering plants. They are crepuscular so we usually see them foraging on our fields early morning or early night time; using it as a safe haven from predators like coyotes and mountain lions. One particular adaptation this creature has is it’s large furry ears. The fur, size, and movement of the ears are crucial to amplifying it’s sense of hearing, making them highly aware of any predators lurking by. Coming up soon in late May or June we will be seeing some spotted fawn following closely to their mother. These peaceful visitors are a treat.
|
|
359 Thousand Pines Road, Crestline, CA 92325
|
© 2018 Thousand Pines Outdoor Science School