Exploring!

My good friend S and I took turn watching each other kids one day this summer so the other could go to a professional development. The day that I had Mrs A and Mr D I loaded them up (along with Grams who was in town visiting) and headed to Austin Nature and Science Center. This has been on my kids "to do" list for while.

I didn't really know what to expect but I was amazed at all the super fun things to do and see. We started at the Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center. Here was is a perfect place to explore the natural world: get a close-up view through microscopes and magnifying glasses, use a balance to check and compare objects’ weight and identify touchable specimens.

Taylor checking out something under the microscope.

The gang in front of a cave we got to "explore".

Next up was the Dino Pit. Here they got to dig up actual replicas of fossils found in Texas, follow dinosaur tracks, and view fossils from the 301 Congress construction site.

Then we checked out the animal exhibit! We got to check out all kinds fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.

The bob cat? that was currently eating a baby chicken (dead) while we were visiting!

Last, we walked through the Birds of Prey exhibit. We saw lots of hawks, owls, and ravens!

I know it is hard to see but here are two of the owls we saw. One of them had a hurt wing and the other had only one eye. That is why they are there, all the animals that they have can't be released back into the wild.

The whole thing is free and very educational. The kids had a great time walking in woods and along the different trail to each exhibit. It was lots of fun, definitely a do again!