Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Scouting Around

It was great fun to follow little Scout around the yard for an hour while he explored his world. I took a slew of pictures trying to catch something of the Serious Scientist and Joyful Naturalist I was observing.

He is so good at walking on icy snow...I wonder how it feels to be so close to the surface and have a short toddly stride. Evidently pretty secure. Walking on snow was part of the adventure he was enjoying, and he never once slipped.



Scout is also an expert at recognizing a crabapple, even if it has lain under the snow for a few months and doesn't look like its former self. He can get one into his mouth, avoiding the large piece of gravel that is also in his fist, and calmly remove the pit, enjoying what little "fruit" was left. I was a bit concerned when he picked up a specimen that had decomposed to an ugly state, but after squeezing it through his fingers for half a minute he rejected that one.

The main project of the hour was picking up stones, acorns, pine cones and sticks. He's not yet at the age when sticks are preeminent, but he did carry a few for a while, which meant that his capacity for rocks was less.

But when he found the field of acorns, the sticks were dropped.The question is, how many acorns can fit in one little fist?

In spite of the sun, I'm sure his hands felt pretty cold after splashing in little puddles and patting ice, but he was oblivious to anything that would distract him from his Purpose.




However, Grandma did feel the chill, so we went inside and took a few acorns with us.










9 comments:

Jeannette said...

How fun to peek in on your chilly exploration. This last picture is wonderful!

Martha said...

What wonderful photos...I think there's much to be learned by exploring nature...we like to bring stuff inside, where it's warmer for closer examination...and to watch the snow melt (and ice) in a bowl...see which one is first to turn into water!

M.K. said...

Adorable! I think we could all learn something about enjoying the world, from Scout :)

Leslie said...

this is such a sweet post. I love it! And that picture of his chubby little fingers and what we call Poofy Lips in our family is so great! Frame that!!! (We are great lovers of poofy lips because they are just so...kissable and poofy.)

Gigi said...

How sweet! Brings back memories of wandering around in the countryside when I was young.
Blessings,
G

Anita said...

He is precious!

Gumbo Lily said...

What an adventure! You captured it so well.

Jody

Left-Handed Housewife said...

How wonderful! What a beautiful child and a beautiful day. I really enjoyed your pictures and getting to share this experience with you!

xofrances

Pom Pom said...

Oh, Scout is SO precious! Does Grandma have a nature table?