July 1 — For a third year, Jim Moore, a local naturalist from Westwood, led children on a nature walk Wednesday, June 25, to help them see the details in God’s creation. A Christian, Moore calls his walk The Wonders of God’s Creation. Moore chose Duck Lake near Mason Station, the trailhead for the Bizz Johnson Trail, as the location for his walk this year, which is tailored to children ages 6 to 12 years old.

The lessons on nature began at the Calvary Chapel Westwood church office with exhibits from Moore’s vast collection on display for children to examine. The displays included seashells, rocks, spiders, bugs and butterflies, dried plants and hornet’s nests.

Before the group drove the few miles to the site of the walk, Moore read from Psalm 50, which states the world is God’s and everything in it. When he asked the children why the earth belonged to God, one answered, “Because He created it.”

During the walk, Moore handed out butterfly nets and plastic containers so that the children could capture bugs and butterflies for a closer look. Once he discussed the various specimens, they are released.

He showed the children how to look closely at the habitat to discover things the eye usually misses. For example, on one trail through the woods he pointed out the cone-shaped pits in the dirt that spiral to the center. These are dug by antlion larvae, which wait at the bottom of the pit for prey.

Another unusual home for insects were the lodgepole galls created by tiny insects. He also showed children how many spiders and beetles lived under logs and cow dung.

Often he would connect the lessons provided in nature to the Bible. For example, he pointed out a pine tree that had blown down during a windstorm because it roots had begun to rot.

“It blew down because it was not rooted solid. If we aren’t rooted in God’s Word when trials and tribulations come, we will stumble and fall as well,” said Moore.

In past years Moore has led children on tours of the Mill Pond and Walker Lake. He always takes the time for extensive research at the site before he leads the walks.