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By Eric Pearson Grade 5, Post's Corners P.S. Ravine is a home away from home for student -- it's a good work out. And who could forget the squirrels? They are incredibly fast, jumping from tree to tree right above you. Last year, my friend Riley and I saw something unbelievable -- a huge bird the size of a heron. Of all the times we have gone down there we have never seen a bird like it. We spent weeks trying to find its nest to see if it had chicks, but we never found it. We can only hope it comes back this year. There are lots of other birds that can be seen at the ravine, like sparrows, crows, woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, robins, and red-winged black birds. Red-winged black birds are easy to tell from other birds as they are all black, with a distinct red and yellow mark on each wing. There is usually a pair of mallard ducks too, one colourful male and a plainlooking female. There are also snakes, which my dad isn't so keen on me encountering while I'm there. I have told you about all the animals, but there are also lots of bugs too. At the ravine, you'll find bugs such as water bugs, potato bugs, ants, and termites -- the ravine is "naturrific." But recently, people have been littering all over it. It's almost as if it is a giant garbage can to them. Everywhere you look there is garbage. People have tried to clean it up but every time the garbage returns. Why not walk two feet to a garbage can instead of dropping your trash in the ravine? I just want people to respect the amazing place that is very important to me, the place everyone calls `The Ravine'. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at dykes@cogeco.ca. 13 · Friday, May 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com N ear my school, there is a place that everybody calls the ravine. It's under a bridge. There's a small stream that runs all the way through it, and everywhere you look there are trees. I've had a lot of good times in the ravine. Between exploring, catching crayfish, and climbing the tall trees, I have made many memories. The ravine has lots of different types of wildlife. From small minnows to the occasional deer, the ravine is truly spectacular. Since it is a major part of my life growing up in Oakville, I couldn't imagine a childhood without it. This is one of the few places that you can feel a part of nature and part of the town at the same time. I love the ravine, even if every time I come home I'm covered in mud. A pair of shoes won't last you a year if you go to there because of the water and mud. I've had probably four pairs of shoes this year. The area is a shoe destroyer. On cold winter days when everyone just wants to cuddle up with a warm blanket by a warm fire, I'd rather walk around in circles in the freezing cold ravine, watching the birds fly and maybe catch a glimpse of a fox. One of my favourite things about the spot is the hills. Some are easy to climb but there are lots of steep spots too. To climb these hills you must use the roots, rocks, and clumps of dirt sticking out of the ground (behind Terra Greenhouses, Hwy. #5) Design Your Landscape Day 2273 Hwy. #5 905-336-7725 www.burlingtongardens.ca · Top Soil · Triple Mix · Manure 1 Y Soil ard · Pebbles · Manured Loam DELIVSacs E · Black Loam · Mulches Startin RED g at $ · Aggregates · Grass Seed · Top Dresser & Bins for Rent · Delivery or Pickup Available Triple Mix Pine Mulch Cedar & Black Mulch 3/4 Crush Gravel ONE DAY 30% OFF all IN-STOCK Santerra ONLY 30% off Pavers & Wall Systems FREE 34 Consultation Peninsula Stone Overlay & Patio Series (12x12, 12x24, 24x24) While quantities last (as low as $2.66 /sq ft ) ( $4.75 / sq ft) WHILE SUPPLIES LAST $ $ 42 $ 49 /yd /yd /yd $ 3750 /yd 99 (plus ta & dep xes osit) SATURDAY, MAY 19th Just bring in your landscape ideas, measurements and/or photos and we'll coach you through the rest . with Professional Landscape Designers Plus a large selection of rockery and flagstone · FIRE PITS · LANDSCAPE LIGHTING PIZZA OVENS from $1899 24" WATERFALL KIT - LED $ 995.00 European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship $999 For a 12'X12' KIT SAVE on minimum of $1000 paver purchase Valid until May 31/12. 905.849.0266 "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 1150 Heritage Road, Burlington Off Mainway between Walkers & Appleby Open 7 Days A Week TECHO-BLOC and BROOKLIN PAVERS 905.336.3369 · www.LandscapeStore.ca 10%