Sunday, July 3, 2011

Fun with the grandkids

St. Louis has so many wonderful free attractions. Suson Farm ( pronounced Sue-SAHN) is a county park that has two large fishing lakes and a couple of smaller ones for children. There are farm animals that are put to pasture every evening and go on display in their stalls during the day. There was a cow with her newborn calf, still wet and sticky in one of the stalls. There are many resident geese, ducks, horses, donkeys, cows and other barnyard birds. I gobbled at the turkey and it fanned its tail feathers which thrilled Nicole.

We arrived before 10:00 so the animals were still out to pasture, and Nicole was excited to see the horses and bull. She 'ewwwed" at the sight of a sow lounging in mud, but laughed at her piglet who came bounding towards her.


The sign says Do Not Feed The Animals, but we know that means, don't feed them our junk food. We always feed them clover, placed on the palm of our open hand, so they don't nibble our fingers. Nicholas was ecstatic and so was Nicole.

We sat in the grass under a shade tree for about half an hour watching a fisherman toss tiny fish he caught to a snowy white heron. What a treat for the bird who didn't have to work for his food, and for the kids who sat in awe and watched the bird swallow each little fish whole. Sometimes it had to step in the lake to get a drink to wash the fish down.

Nick was happier than ever when the fisherman tossed a fish to the bird just a few feet from us.

This is a black crowned night heron, about two feet tall and stocky with bright yellow legs. It flew to a tree when I approached.


What a fun memory-making trip for Nana, Paw-paw and the grandkids. Even though it was 98 degrees, we stayed hydrated and returned home by noon to cool off.

11 comments:

Susan said...

Oh Linda. That park sounds great. SOooo happy you all had a fun time. Oh my! 98 degrees? yikes. I don't think I'd like it that hot. We are having a cool spring and that's fine with me. Have a fun Fourth! Susan

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Sounds like you had a great time!

But the heat would, unfortunately, keep me indoors - you must all be made of hardier stock.

Me, I'm just a delicate flower who would wilt in those temps.

Bookie said...

What fun for all of you!!!! Looks like your weekend is going great!

Sioux Roslawski said...

Both those grandkids are dolls. And what a nice final picture. Paw-paw looks quite happy!

jabblog said...

Sounds wonderful - and all FREE? Amazing! I'm speaking from rip-off Britain here;-) What a lovely day you had.

Southhamsdarling said...

That certainly is pretty hot Linda! Not sure that I could cope with that. Sounds like you had a super day with the grandchildren. Aren't we lucky?!

Claudia Moser said...

It sounds like a great afternoon and the pictures are simply great!

Unknown said...

Looked like a beautiful place to have fun and be together. Our temps are nearing if not over 3 digits here in NC. Way too dry needing rain so badly. Linda & I had a great day with friends and traveled to a nearby town to a Cooperative market with so many good things that are organic and tasty. It has been a great time here at Celebrity Dairy with the goats and a variety of other animals to keep us amused. Hope you have had a wonderful weekend as well.

Val said...

The kids probably didn't notice the heat, with all the sights to see. Piglets are just too cute.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

That sounds like great fun. . .and free? Wow. Your grandkids are adorable, and I love Nicole's dress. The first, with her sitting on the fence, could be an ad for the place!

Tammy said...

Never heard of the place, sad to say. My kids would have loved it when they were little. What a great day!