Third-graders look for signs of the "Web of Life," find sleeping owl

Is that an owl? Out come the cell phone cameras. 

Today's kids often do not get the chance to spend much time outdoors, in the woods. Many are completely removed from such adventures my generation took for granted.

Often labeled the "Last Child in the Woods" generation because of the widely respected book by Richard Louv of the same name, that's why Ijams is so important. Where else can they go, feel safe and commune with nature?

Taking advantage of the closing days of winter and the soon opening salvo of spring, third graders from Brickey McCloud Elementary came to Ijams this morning for a field trip. Searching for signs of the "Web of Life" and predator/prey relationships, they were not disappointed. A barred owl was found napping above the stream along North Cove Trail. 

What's one difference between this generation and the one that experienced Ijams during the 1970s? This morning's kids quickly whipped out their cell phones and took photos of the sleepy Stix varia.

What? A phone that's also a camera. Who could have imagined that in the 1970s?

-Text and photos by Stephen Lyn Bales 

Napping barred owl above stream. Photo taken with a cell phone.