Daddy, What Kind Of Geese Are Those?

While I was wrestling with a brown pelican my daughter hooked while piggy perch fishing she asked a question that struck a nerve with me.  She asked "Daddy, What Kind of Geese Are Those?"  Say what???  I said "Honey, you know those aren't geese.  You know those are pelicans."  "But they are brown like the geese you hunt." she replied.  I said, "Well, yes they are, but they are called brown pelicans."  Her response, "Do geese like to eat fish like the pelicans?"  It was then that I had to call a time out.  It was one of those perfect times in life that Dads live for.  We get to pass down our knowledge to our children.  I asked her to explain the color of the pelican, which she did.  I then told her that was how it got it's name, because it is a pelican and it is brown...hence the name brown pelican.  I also very briefly explained that the long snout is what makes it a pelican, and a goose doesn't have a snout like that.  I also explained what pelicans eat and what geese eat.  Keep in mind I had to keep it in 3 year old girl terms and the conversation was short.  However, because it was a short conversation means very little.  The knowledge that she took away from that conversation has stuck with her.  She learned a little bit more about the outdoors, she learned that not all birds are geese, and she learned pelicans like to eat fish.  Taking time out of our busy schedules and hectic lives can have huge impacts in the lives of our children.  Taking the time to make sure they enjoy it and have a positive outcome with the experience is our responsibility as adults.  Don't drag kids on an outdoor trip meant for adults, but rather make the trip a kids trip.  Then when they are old enough, and big enough, you will see the results of the time you spent with them while they were younger.

And for the record I was the hero that day...I unhooked the pelican AND saved the piggy perch from being eaten!

Take the time to spend it with your kids doing outdoor activities.  They are our most precious resource.

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