Fossils and Eagles and Deer, Oh My!

Don't you just love fantabulous Sundays?

A friend invited the kids and I to go fossil hunting today. We gladly accepted as 1) we kind of like rocks like fossils and stuff and 2) this friend knows quite a little bit about rocks and fossils so we learn WAY more with her than when we go on our own.

The first stop was wonderful! Just close the eyes and pick up a handful and we were guaranteed to come up with actual, identifiable fossils! We found Neospirifer and Dictyoclostus, Rhombopora and Polypora, Derbyia and Chonetes. (Do I have all these terms memorized? NO. Our friend gave us an illustrated cheat sheet.) I don't know who brought home more treasures... me or the kids.

Two or three stops later -- all delightful stops where we added to our collections -- we found ourselves at Lake Perry. My friend points to a big dark bird in a tree and says, "I think that's a bald eagle." We watched as it took flight, a path just perfect for a viewing. It WAS a bald eagle and it was absolutely beautiful. The kids were ecstatic, arguing over who was going to get to tell Dad first on the way home.

A few more fossils, and we drove around the lake. I'm still struck by just how much water there is in eastern Kansas. (I'm a western native, remember.) Unfortunately, another surprise was just down the road for us. A deer appeared suddenly at the side of the road and bounded right into our friend's vehicle. She didn't see it until it hit her car, the back door on the driver's side. Since we were following, we were able to slow and stop in time. The kids and I all held our breathe as the deer struggled on the road to get to its feet. Once it was up, however, it bounded beautifully on across the road and off into the trees. (There's a part of me that realizes it is unlikely this deer got away without any serious injury, but I'm going with the thought that it's just going to be good and sore from its encounter... nothing more.)

Anyway, the kids were again thrilled to have seen the deer so clearly. "I can't believe we've seen an eagle AND a deer so close today."

I think it has already been filed as one of those "best day ever" memories.