October 21, 2025
Sometimes we find our first creature of the day barely leaving school grounds! A student caught an alligator lizard right by where the van was parked, to which I quickly grabbed my handy terrarium. Alligator lizards are capable of biting pretty hard, so upon careful inspection of this guy (and it's differences from Western Fence lizard) we released them.
At our location today we played Jays and Juncos in an oak meadow (how to play: Earthlings Adventure Club Blog: Jays and Juncos, Banana Slugs, and Weavings),
and afterwards found and identified tracks in some nearby mud. Whenever we see scat or tracks I like to pretend we are detectives figuring out which animals have been there. A great way to zoom out and consider the animal's that mark their tracks in the places we visit and make our own tracks as well.
Found some cool insects, including a huge Steatoda Nobilis, or 'Noble False Widow' for its resemblence to Black Widow. Can bite, similar to wasp sting. 
Broom Moth Caterpillar
We made a hangbar/small rope swing using rope and a stick using the Marlinspike Hitch https://www.facebook.com/reel/1256473432916821/ (tutorial on easy rope ladder/hangbar with just rope and stick). Grip strength and upper body strength builds confidence and is amazing for the spine and body. 
Animals Identified- Alligator Lizard, False Widow, Broom Moth Caterpillar, Acorn Woodpecker (calls)
Plants Identified- Pinyon Pine?^, Live Oak, poison oak
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