A LOOK INSIDE
• Calendar 4
• Eastern Garter Snakes 6
• Land Conservation Gifts in Reston 7
BRANCHING OUT
Nature N
By Pam Findley
SEPTEMBER
• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate to Central America.
• Goldenrods bloom.
• Eastern Box Turtle young hatch.
• Oaks produce acorns which provide food for many animals.
• Sept 18 – Super Harvest Moon and partial lunar eclipse
OCTOBER
• Songbird migration peaks.
• Tulip Poplar and hickory trees have yellow leaves.
• Mantids lay eggs.
• Brown-eyed Susans are in bloom.
• Oct 17 – Super Hunter’s Moon, the closest full super moon of 2024
NOVEMBER
• Deer rut (mating) peaks.
• Dogwood trees and viburnum shrubs have red leaves.
• First Dark-eyed Juncos return.
• Holly berries are red.
• Nov. 15 – Super Beaver Moon
The Hawk is Out
By Susan Sims
Autumn in Virginia provides residents the opportunity to see one of the largest bird migrations in the eastern United States. Thousands of raptors traveling from northern areas make their way down the Blue Ridge Mountains headed towards warmer climes for the winter.
Hawks are the primary migrating species including Red-shouldered, Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks. They're also joined by smaller hawks such as the Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Other birds of prey - eagles, kestrels and falcons - join the flyways during this season as well.
Peak timing for raptor observation is midSeptember to mid-October, though they can be spotted anytime from September through November. The warm updrafts from the mountains permit hawks to glide for hundreds of miles in only one wing beat, preserving valuable physical resources for their journeys southward.
Eyes to the Sky
According to Shenandoah National Park, over 25,000 Broad-winged Hawks migrate through the park annually. The Broad-winged Hawk is a small, forest raptor rarely seen in Virginia outside of migration. They have brown heads and chests with barred underbellies. These hawks glide in group formations called kettles. Kettles of up to 100 hawks will circle, catching the warm air and using it as an elevator to rise to higher altitudes while still moving south.
They will pass to another warm draft and continue riding it as long as possible until they repeat the process, covering nearly 70 miles daily.
Broad-winged Hawks are complete migrants, meaning they continue their journey until they reach South America. It is interesting to note that Monarch Butterflies and some dragonfly species also follow the ridge during migration season and may provide a good source of food for Broadwinged Hawks. Some species of hawks are only partially migratory and may fly a short way south until the temperature is amenable and remain there for the winter.
Two of the more readily identifiable hawks that can be spotted are the Red-shouldered and Redtailed Hawks. Many Northern Virginians are familiar with the Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) as it can be seen sitting in trees in wooded suburbs like Reston and on fence posts along roadsides.
WALKER NATURE CENTER
11450 Glade Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Dawn to dusk, enjoy year-round access to trails, restrooms and free parking.
CONTACT
703-476-9689
naturecenter@reston.org
FEATURES
72 acres of forested land, a picnic pavilion, demonstration gardens, educational signage, a fire ring, two streams, a pond, a Little Free Library, the entrance to 44-acre Lake Audubon and our education building, known as Nature House.
NATURE HOUSE HOURS
Mon. & Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday 1– 4 p.m.
HOLIDAY CLOSURES:
Sept. 2 Labor Day
Oct. 14 Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Nov. 11 Veterans Day
Nov. 28-29 Thanksgiving
The Hawk is Out continued from page 1
It is a medium-sized hawk with broad black and white wings, a squarish tail and generally reddish chest. At 1.3 pounds, it is noticeably smaller than the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) which can weigh up to a whopping 3 pounds on average.
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large raptor with a short tail and pale underbody. The head is often brown with a white throat, and they sport a dark belly band and darker wing tips. This species is a year-round resident in Virginia, though some pass through on their way to warmer spots for the winter.
Two other species to keep an eye out for are the Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. At their speed and finesse these two species can often be confused for one another, though the Sharp-shinned is the smaller of the two. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has a reddish chest, is small and has dark bands on its tail, which usually looks square in contrast to a Cooper's Hawk's more rounded tail. Cooper's Hawks look like they are wearing a gray cabbie hat because of their pattern versus the Sharp-shinned which boasts no cap at all, with a more evenly gray head.
Hawk Spotting Events
If the thought of witnessing this amazing migration piques your interest, there are nearby places to go take a gander. Snickers Gap is a great location for hawk spotting and only 20 miles west of Leesburg, VA. Skyline Drive provides many opportunities for hawk watching, as well as nearby Sky Meadows State Park. The best time of day to spot hawks during migration is 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., when the warm updrafts are more likely to occur.
You can learn more about raptors at the Loudoun Valley Raptor Center and follow hawk sightings at the Virginia Society of Ornithology. The Hawk Migration Association of North America hosts over 1,000 hawk watching sites in North America, including one at Rockfish Gap which lies at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. To prepare for a hawk spotting adventure you'll need a pair of binoculars, good hiking boots and a fold-up chair or picnic blanket. Stake out your spot, bring a lunch and enjoy observing the many migratory raptors coasting through the Appalachian skyway. Attending a hawk watch is a great way for beginners to learn to identify hawk species while contributing to citizen science through bird counts.
Can't make it to the Blue Ridge this season? Keep your eyes to the sky locally, where you're sure to be treated to raptors flying overhead. You can also check out great online resources like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s free bird cams that provide a sneak peek into hawk life. There are many great ways to experience the annual hawk migration, but be quick because they are on the move!
www.facebook.com/WalkerNatureCtr
@walkernaturecenter
Groups: Please call ahead to arrange your visit.
Branching Out is a quarterly publication of the Walker Nature Center (WNC), owned and operated by Reston Association.
The mission of WNC is to foster an environmental stewardship ethic in the community. It is named after Reston’s first Open Space and Nature Center Director, Vernon J. Walker.
is
Branching Out is printed on 100 percent recycled paper using soy ink. It is produced using 100 percent wind power. Please recycle.
Native Shrub & Tree SALE
Beautiful gardens and healthy woodlands have vibrant shrub, understory and canopy layers. Pre-order some Nature Center favorites and enjoy the savings. Plants will include deer-resistant species. Trees sold as saplings, approx. 2-5 feet tall.
Place orders by Friday, September 20, 5:00 pm Pick up on Saturday, September 28, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Shop online at https://bit.ly/WNCPlantSale or contact naturecenter@reston.org for an order form.
Bird Walks
Adults, Free
EARLY SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK UPPER GLADE STREAM VALLEY
306201002 Sun 9/15 7:30 am – 10:30 am Park on Glade Drive near the intersection with Twin Branches Road
LATE SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK BUTTERMILK CREEK
306201002 Sun 9/29 7:30 am – 10:30 am Park at Uplands Pool, 11032 Ring Road
OCTOBER BIRD WALK: STRATTON WOODS
406201002 Sun 10/13 7:30 am – 10:30 am Park at 2431 Fox Mill Road
Please and Thank You
By Ken Rosenthal
Typing this during the sweltering heat of summer, it is hard to believe that fall is closer than we think. Red, orange and yellow hues accompanied by the pleasant, crisp smell of autumn will be a welcome change. Our thanks go out to the many volunteers who will have braved the summer elements to help us: leading our citizen science efforts with our summer wildlife counts, bluebird nest box monitoring and Caterpillars Count! surveys; staffing the front desk; weeding and watering our gardens and planters; and maintaining our trails.
Our biggest event in the fall is also our biggest volunteer need: our annual Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail. For two nights we dress up Nature House, our staff and the trail to provide a non-scary Halloween event with a fun nature theme. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ha Brock, Volunteer Supervisor, at Ha@reston.org.
We hope to see you at a program or event this fall!
Thanks to our donors:
Julie & Charlie Bond and the Reston Garden Club for the seasonal container gardens, delightful mantel creations, and the lovely floral arrangements at the Welcome Desk. Friends of Reston for providing entertainment during our Spring Festival. The Reston Garden Club for their donation of summer camp programming equipment.
Thanks to our volunteers:
NOVEMBER BIRD WALK TWIN BRANCHES NATURE TRAIL
406201002 Sun 11/10 7:30 am – 10:30 am Park on Glade Drive near Twin Branches Road
Luella Adam; Gia Ahuja; Asta Aidis-Klemas; Avigaelle Alexander; Calla Alexander; Marco Anguizola; Maitlyn Bachman; Joanne & David Bauer; Jason Beal; Mackenzie Beal; Mika Berdach; Adam Bisogno; Sadie Bisogno; Tessa Bisogno; Julie & Charlie Bond; John Brown; Jennifer Burns; Melinda Chay; Quinn Cho; Jason Chung; Emily Conway; Jane Currall; Nalini D'Aguiar; Sarah Danberg; Sophia Deliganis Niemi; Nick Dogger; Jody Douglas; Robin Duska; John Eppler; Sergio Escalier; June Ferrara; Martha Furniss; Connor Gill; Meg Gill; Elizabeth Graff ; Barbara Heubner; John Hills; Tamara Jimenez; Samira Kalaly; Amanda King; Vyshnavi Kondapalli; Sahasra Kothembaka; Fatima Laoufir; Ashlee Lara; Kemi Le; Kristina Liu; Mia Lopez; Jamal Maxie; Sharon McHugh; Brianna Minihan; Dhara Mudras; Anna Najafi; Kate Osterried; Aadit Panse; Barbara Paolucci; Sara Piper; Mary Protelly; Yasmine Ramezan; Jordin Ramos; Vivian Reyzner; Heather Safford; Mark Schauweker; Jim Seret; Arnav Shetty; Glenn Simonelli; Abigail Skinner; Charlotte Spigner; Jim and Nancy Stocking; Michele Stone; John Suggs; Jeanette Thomas; Brenda van Doorn; Kisey Versosky; Samantha Versosky; Cheryl Wacker; Eve Wallin; Verna Webb; Joanne Williams, Tanya Zimmerli.
Register online with WebTrac
www restonwebtrac.org
All programs will be held at the Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, unless otherwise noted. Refunds are available with two weeks’ notice or if we cancel for any reason. Activities may be canceled due to severe weather, severe weather warnings or low enrollment. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
SEPTEMBER
SALAMANDERS OF RESTON
Salamanders are fascinating creatures that can be hard to spot. Discover the species that are common to Reston and where they make their homes. Learn how salamanders are beneficial to our planet. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Register by Sept. 4. 306011008
Sat 9/7
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
SCAMPERING SQUIRRELS
Acorns are falling from the trees, and squirrels are hiding them away for the winter. Make a squirrel craft and munch like a squirrel on a crunchy snack. Look for acorns along the trails and see what they grow into. Register by September 6.
306111001
Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 am 9/9
Or Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 9/10
Ages 18-35 months
$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member
BATS OF RESTON
See a presentation on Reston’s bats, then stroll to Lake Audubon to look for them. Scan the sky for this amazing, flying mammal and use a bat monitor to detect bat traffic. Learn the latest from the bat world and enjoy some evening wildlife. Register by September 10.
306011008
Fri 9/13
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Ages 5-Adult $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
SLUGS, BUGS AND SALAMANDERS
Fallen logs are home to many small creatures. Explore the forest and roll logs to search for wiggling, crawling and slimy critters. Observe them under magnifying glasses. Create a fun craft to take home. Register by September 11.
306121008
Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am 9/14
Or Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 9/17
Ages 3-5 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
EARLY SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK UPPER GLADE
STREAM VALLEY
See page 3.
MIGRANTS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
We’ll Drive! Travel with us to Flag Ponds Nature Park along the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll keep an eye out for migrating shorebirds along the bay, and songbirds in the forests. Trip may include walking over uneven terrain and some hills.
206201007
Tue 9/17
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Adults $50/RA Member, $65/Non-member
LAKE ANNE SUNSET PADDLE
Canoe or kayak on Lake Anne with a naturalist. Search for wildlife and learn about lake history. Relax and watch the sunset from the water. Boats and safety equipment provided. Register by September 16.
306011007
Thu 9/19
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Ages 10-Adult $15/RA Member, $20/Non-member
Lake Anne Plaza Boat Dock
LATE SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK BUTTERMILK CREEK
See page 3.
MINDFULNESS IN NATURE
Join Certified Forest Therapy Guide Ana Ka’ahanui from Capital Nature for an introduction to forest bathing. “Shinrin-yoku,” or taking in the forest atmosphere with all of your senses, is a way to slow down, unwind and connect to the natural world. Through a series of simple sensory exercises we’ll be experiencing the wonders of nature with this relaxing mindfulness practice. Register by Sept. 26.
306201013
Sun 9/29
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Adults $45 RA Member, $60 Non-member
OCTOBER
GOODNIGHT, FOREST
October is a great month to learn about nocturnal animals. Who is flying, running, crawling and slithering around the forest when night falls? Search for interesting nocturnal animals sleeping on the trails. Create a unique animal craft. Enjoy a special Halloween treat. Register by Sept. 28. 406121008
Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 10/1
Or Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am 10/5
Ages 3-5 $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member
STEAM WORKSHOP HALLOWEEN SCIENCE! Kick off the Halloween season with candy science experiments. Just how far can you catapult your candy pumpkin? Create a Mentos geyser and watch it blast high into the air. Test out Skittles, gummy worms and more through different experiments. What animals are active when darkness falls on the forest? Can you spot them hiding on the trails? Make a Halloween treat to enjoy. Register by Oct. 1 for this drop-off program. 406131015
Fri 10/4 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 6-12 $11/RA Member, $13/Non-member
MUSHROOMS OF RESTON
Join local mushroom aficionado and all round “funguy” Colin Mills for a presentation on the diversity of Reston’s fungi. Learn about their amazing life cycles, basic identification, and role in the ecosystem. Then, take a mushroom walk along the trails. Register by October 3.
406201008
Sun 10/6
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Adults $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
LI’L PUMPKINS HALLOWEEN PARTY
Join the Halloween bash that’s perfect for toddlers. Wear your costume on a walk along the trails. Meet a couple of fun characters and a real Corn Snake. Decorate a pumpkin and collect a goody bag to take home. No frights at this fest! Register by October 13. 406111001
Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 am 10/7
OR Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 10/8 Ages 18-35 months
$9/RA Member, $11/Non-member
AUTUMN CAMPFIRE WEENIE ROAST
Warm up on a fall evening around a crackling campfire. Roast a hot dog and enjoy campfire popcorn. Listen to forest legends as you enjoy a yummy s’more. Park on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive and Lawyers Road. Register by Oct. 8. 406011003
Fri 10/11
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
WNC Fire Ring on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive & Lawyers Road
All Ages $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member
OCTOBER BIRD WALK: STRATTON WOODS
See page 3.
HALLOWEEN HOUSE & TRAIL
See ad on back page.
NOVEMBER
GEOLOGY OF RESTON
Discover the world beneath your feet with an introduction to the geology of Reston with U.S. Geological Survey geologist, Mercer Parker. Begin with an overview of Reston’s geological history. Then head outdoors to look for features that can be observed around the trails at the Walker Nature Center.
406201006
Sat 11/9
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Adults Free
STEAM WORKSHOP BIRDS OF A FEATHER
From fall migration to turkeys at Thanksgiving, November is a great time to learn about birds. Examine the parts of a feather and conduct flight experiments. Make a woodpecker craft and use binoculars to observe birds on a nature walk. Discover what birds eat and how their beaks are shaped to help them get their favorite foods. Enjoy a snack of some of the same treats that birds eat. Register by November 1 for this drop-off program.
406131015
Mon 11/4
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 6-12
$11/RA Member, $13/Non-member
NOVEMBER BIRD WALK TWIN BRANCHES
NATURE TRAIL
See page 3.
AUTUMN MAGIC
Trees take center stage during the autumn months as their bright colors fill the forest and acorns fall to the ground below. Learn about the beautiful trees in Reston and what animals find shelter and food within our forests. Sing a silly tree song and create a colorful leaf craft. Register by Nov. 8.
406121008
Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 11/12
Or Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am 11/16
Ages 3-5 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
NATURE’S THANKSGIVING
If animals were going to have a Thanksgiving feast, what would they serve? Discover what animals like to eat and how they prepare for the winter. Set the tables for different animal friends and make a fall wreath for your home. Register by Nov. 15.
406111001
Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 am 11/18
OR Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am 11/19
Ages 18-35 months
$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member
THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECES
Make a beautiful centerpiece or arrangement with dried flowers and grasses, plus four simple napkin rings for your home at Thanksgiving ($1 per additional ring). All supplies provided. When making reservations, include the number of people in your party and how many arrangements you wish to make. Register by November 20.
406011012
Sat 11/23
10:00 –11:30 am or 1:00 – 2:30 pm
All Ages
$25/arrangement RA Member, $30/arrangement Non-member
TURKEY TRAIL
Let’s get moving after your big Thanksgiving meal. Sharpen your skills of logic as you follow clues from a “wild” turkey to see where they lead you. Discover more about these fascinating birds. Register by November 27.
406011008
Sat 11/30
11:00 am –12:00 pm
All Ages $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
Egg Carton Snake
Materials
Empty Egg Carton
Markers or paint
Googly eyes
Red or pink paper
Scissors Glue
Instructions:
1. Use the scissors to cut the top half of the egg carton off from the bottom half. Then cut the bottom in half length wise so that you have two long strips of 6 egg cups each.
2. Flip one of the strips so that the domed side is facing up. Use markers or paint to decorate it like a snake’s body.
3. When it is dry, glue on two googly eyes to one end of the “snake.”
4. Create a tongue by cutting a “Y” shape from the red or pink paper. Glue this below the eyes.
Eastern Garter Snakes
By Earl the Squirrel (with help from Abby Stocking)
Not everyone is a fan of snakes. We squirrels have to be careful since some snakes may eat us. For you humans, I’m not sure why you worry so much. You’re so much taller than snakes that I think they should be more afraid of you. Sometimes learning more about snakes can help calm some of your fears. They are quite interesting creatures. So, allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite snakes, the Eastern Garter Snake.
Eastern Garter Snakes have three long white or light yellow stripes that run the length of their bodies. Their bodies can be different colors from tan to dark gray. Sometimes people get confused and accidentally call them “garden” snakes because of the way their name sounds. This type of snake is not venomous which means they have no poison in their teeth. They use their tongues to smell and find prey. They eat frogs, salamanders, earthworms, slugs, insects and even other snakes. Thankfully, this type of snake usually does not eat small mammals like squirrels. Phew!
Baby garter snakes are born in spring and summer. All reptiles like snakes lay eggs. But in some snakes like the Eastern Garter Snake, the mom snakes keep their eggs inside their bodies and give birth to live baby snakes. You never see the eggs. Snakes that do this are called “ovoviviparous.” I’m not even sure I know how to say that word!
Snake Maze
Help the Eastern Garter Snake slither to the log for shelter.
As the weather gets colder, Eastern Garter Snakes will find a place to spend the winter. We call this brumation, which is a lot like hibernation. They may sleep in a hole in the ground or underneath a log for many weeks or months. However, Eastern Garter Snakes do not mind the cold as much as other snakes. When the weather is warm enough, they may come out of their burrows and move around. Watch for garter snakes on warm fall or winter days and you may be lucky to see one!
Snakes are really cool animals. As a fellow tree climber, I have admiration for how they move and live life without the help of claws or a fluffy tail. I hope you can be like me and enjoy Eastern Garter Snakes (even if it is from a little distance).
Kids’ Corner
Land Conservation Gifts in Reston
By Michael Reynolds
Part 1 of a 2-part series on Land Conservation Gifts in Reston. Read part 2 in the Winter, 24/25 issue.
The Land Conservation Gifts in Reston: A Legacy for the Future
Reston, Virginia, established in 1964 by Robert E. Simon, but carried forward by its active Boards and citizens to this day, has a rich history of land planning, management, and conservation. Simon and others envisioned a community that balanced urban development with natural preservation, setting aside significant portions of land for parks, forests, and green spaces. This vision was revolutionary, laying the groundwork for sustainable living long before environmentalism became a global movement. Reston’s approach to land management and conservation has evolved over the decades, becoming a model for integrating development with ecological stewardship.
The Early Years: Planned Natural Areas
From its inception, Reston was designed with a comprehensive plan that included substantial natural areas. Simon’s plan allocated 1,300 acres of open space, with extensive networks of trails, parks, and lakes. These spaces were intended to provide residents with easy access to nature, promoting outdoor recreation and a connection to the environment. This early commitment to conservation was a response to the rapid urbanization occurring in the mid-20th century, offering an alternative to the sprawling, car-dependent suburbs that were becoming the norm. These efforts were led by Vernon J. Walker, Reston’s first Open Space and Nature Center Director.
Reston’s natural areas included forests, meadows, and wetlands, all of which were carefully managed to preserve biodiversity and ecological health. The community’s early efforts at land management focused on maintaining these habitats, controlling invasive species, and ensuring that development did not encroach on preserved lands. This forward-thinking approach set a precedent for future land use and conservation practices in Reston.
Expanding Development and Land Use
As Reston grew, the pressure to develop more land increased. The town’s population expanded, necessitating more housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure. Despite these pressures, Reston managed to maintain its commitment to conservation. New developments were designed to integrate with existing natural areas, preserving green spaces and maintaining the community’s ecological balance.
One of the key strategies employed in Reston was the use of clustered development. This approach concentrates buildings in specific areas, leaving larger portions of land undeveloped. Clustered development not only preserves open space but also reduces the environmental impact of urbanization. Reston’s land use policies have been guided by principles of sustainability, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of the environment.
Moreover, Reston has embraced innovative land management practices to enhance its natural areas. For example, the community has implemented extensive tree planting programs to expand its urban canopy, providing shade, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity. Stream and wetland restoration projects have also been undertaken to support local wildlife and improve water quality along with reducing impacts to private lands and homes over time from increased erosion as both climate and development pressures grow. These efforts demonstrated from the start Reston’s commitment to maintaining its natural heritage even as development continues.
www.reston.org
Walker Nature Center
11450 Glade Drive
Reston, Virginia 20191
SAVE THE DATE:
Friday, October 25, 5:45 pm 8:45 pm Saturday, October 26, 5:45 pm – 8:45 pm
Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive
Ages 3 to Adult
Children must be accompanied by a registered adult at all times.
FEE
$15/RA Member, $20/Non-member
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
No walk-ins. No refunds, unless canceled by Reston Association. You will select a time block when you register. Register at https://bit.ly/HalloweenHouseAndTrail.
Meet a creative cast of characters, including some real animals along our nature themed Trick-or-Treat Trail and inside our decked-out Halloween House. Enjoy hot apple cider, popcorn and games. Participants are encouraged to wear non-scary costumes. This is NOT a horror show or a haunted house, but does include sound and light effects.