My kids and I were looking for dragonflies around a river. I was looking over the water, when my father pointed out this little guy sitting on a garden hose. I would have never noticed the dot-tailed whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta).
When exploring with my kids, I often feel like I have great observation skills. Taking my father along reminded me of how much I have to learn. The little trip reminded me of hunting with my father as a child. It seemed like he could hear, see, smell, and taste animals on the wind. When track a deer he would find a single hair, or drop of blood that would have impressed anyone on those CSI shows. While hunting mushrooms, he would find a morel where I only saw leaves.
My skills have gotten better, but it was nice to be reminded who taught me most of what I know. I hope my children will learn some field craft from me, even if they don’t want to hunt. I would like to give them something that my father gave me.
