The Urban Pond

"Every child is born a naturalist. His eyes are, by nature, open to the glories of the stars, the beauty of the flowers, and the mystery of life."

- R. Search

It wasn't until I was in my 20s, that I discovered that there were amazing things to explore in the area where land and water meet. I was in awe of the living things I found and have enjoyed watching that excitement emerge with the young students I've worked with over the years along the edge of various ponds. I knew it was time to introduce Tavish to this whole new world of exploration...

MOMENT: Pond Life

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful"
- E. E. Cummings

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
- Frank Lloyd Wright

"Wisdom begins in wonder."
Socrates

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
- William Shakespeare

Tavish rode his pedal bike while Keva and I hustled along behind to meet at the pond with some friends/colleagues. Tavish was eager and engaged the entire time. We found a dragon fly nymph, pond snails, and all of the stages along the life cycle of a frog (eggs, tadpole, metamorph, frog). He was in awe. When it was suggested that the other child was ready to go to the nearby splash pad, confused ,Tavish replied with a polite "why?". Another pond explorer is officially in the family.