Connecting kids with nature
At 5:30 pm, we all assembled at the waiting area at Prani, other than Ahana and Satvic. We went to the place where we were camping. It was the place where they stored old stuff, but now they renovated it, and used it for camps like this or for school trips. We put our bags on the table and pitched our tents – 3 of them, and went to feed the animals.
First we fed Maya Isha and Gabbar. They were so hungry they started eating before we could even put the bowl in their stand!
Next we fed the goats who also were so hungry they ate out of the bowl which was still in our hands!
Then we went to feed the rabbits who calmly waited for their food. They were very soft đŸ™‚
Lastly the birds who were normal.
We began to get ready for the nightwalk. Once we were ready, we went to the backside of Prani where it was very spooky. 🕸
The first thing we saw was a bright yellow butterfly that was sleeping (common yellow I think). Next we saw the common millipede.
While we were watching the millipede, some others went around exploring. When they started calling out to uncle. saying they found something. The rest joined and we saw that there was a black moth with glowing yellow spots. Then we went and saw a toad and Uncle told us the difference between a frog and a toad. A frog needs a moist place while a toad doesn’t, a toad has bumpy skin while a frog has slimy skin. Then we walked along the way, we saw a community spider nest… it was SO big (it was as big as a tv 🙂). Next we went to a hut (that was abandoned and Akshay Uncle went inside and got out a lizard! He told us that the lizard can drop its tail whenever it wants! Then we headed back. On the way back, we saw a Bandid Kukri Snake! Then Uncle told us how it was named – it had teeth like an Indian knife called kukri, and had bands around it, so its called Banded Kukri. Then we went back to the main entrance, we saw a Sand Boa Snake! It was curled up. Then we went and had dinner and went to sleep.
In the middle of the night, all the girls other than Ahana and me started talking and eating snacks very loudly. Then they invaded the boys tent because their tent was full of insects. I wasn’t surprised – that’s what happens when you eat snacks in the middle of the night. When Amma finally got them to stop, we went to sleep. In the morning we were supposed to go climb the hill next to Prani. But it had rained all night. So we ended up just going for a walk which was very fun.
On the way we saw a dog that was just like our Brownie. It was very cute. Then on the way we had to walk across some muddy farms and I was the only one who did not get my shoes dirty! Then we went and saw a lot of rare birds and insects. Once the walk was over, we went back and had Shavige Bath which no one liked. After that we went on a normal tour in Prani.
Feels so good to read these blogs filled with real time experiences for little ones… we (my son and me) have visited prani in those 2 hours slot and have always felt wish we could spend more time..
I would love to connect with the group… and participate in the Turahalli forest activities…