Itchin' To Be By The River

It was a gorgeous day yesterday up at Ryan Ranch along the banks of the Deschutes River.  The sun was shining, the sky was smoke-free, and the air was still.  A perfect day for a field study with the 4th graders from Amity Creek.  Oh, and did I mention there were a few mosquitoes?  Actually quite a few, and they made a meal out of us!  But that didn't stop us from having a lot of fun and enjoying being on the river.  In fact, it may have made it all the more memorable as the kids were "buzzing" around the halls of Amity this morning comparing the size and numbers of bites that they acquired!
Despite the unexpected visitors, the students managed to complete a successful transect study of the riparian area.  In small groups, they began by measuring out 100 foot-long sections stretching from the water's edge and moving inland.  They then walked the transect and stopped every 20 feet to record what they found in a 15 foot-wide area.  Students were able to identify various plants and native species, such as willow and alder. One group spotted a pile of feathers that indicated a possible bird-kill.  Another group narrowly missed stepping on a garter snake!  Signs of wildlife abounded as dragonflies darted past our ears, crayfish were spotted in the water, and elk poop was found among the conifers!  The riparian area appeared healthy and vibrant.
After sharing our transect data, we sat down to put on our artist hats and sketch the scenery. Our goal was to "tell the story" of this riparian area at this time through art.   Everybody found a nice spot to carefully observe the surroundings while choosing a favorite portion to include in their drawings.  Watercolors were added and we filled up our cups with water from the river to help the colors flow across the page.  The results were beautiful, but the quiet and reflective moment while thirty children were busy painting along the rivers edge was priceless. 
Thank you Amity Creek for sharing your day on the river with us. 

~Kelly Beck