Nature Notebook

Mr. Wade’s book and website have inspired me to take a closer look at nature right where I live. He lives in Minnetonka and has visited Glen Lake many times with his nature programs.

The Old Naturalist - Nature School

Winter Birds

What is eating my house?

Observation 1: There has been a bird pecking away at the wood siding on my house. Since I’ve been home so much I finally got a good look at it. I know it’s a nuthatch because it’s always upside-down. After reading about it, I now wonder, is it making a hole to nest or is it eating some kind of bugs or ants that might be under my siding.

#4. Twenty Minute Hike

10 New things I did not see or hear on my into the woods

Observation 1: Ground moss is sprouting.

2: Painted rock
3. Birds or woodpecker making noise
4. Fort
5. No leaves yet

8: Ducks flying overhead

6: A third painted rock
7: Muddy/earthy smells

Observation 10: Little ferns coming through the leaves.

9: Trees all laying the same way. Looks like they fell from wind in a storm.

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Twenty Minute Hike - Seeking Beauty 4/25/2020

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Observation: This tree was beautiful because it was hollowed out. It was hollowed out so much that I could stand all the way up on the inside of it. What is more beautiful is that this tree was still alive even though the inside was hollow. I wonder how old this tree is? How many years has it been standing there? What has it seen?

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Observation: Look at the beauty inside this tree! I was standing inside the big tree looking up when I took the photo. Notice there are two big holes where the branches are also hollowed out. I wonder if animals live in those hollow branches? The color variations and texture of the bark look like a modern painting. Because this tree is living with it’s insides hollowed out, it is a unique, awe inspiring and a survivor.

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Observation: Look at this beautiful little door in this tree? Who lives inside? Actually, not a fairy or a badger but a scar from some kind of accident. Look how beautiful the two different textures are; one goes up and down and the other is bumpy tree bark.

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Observation: Bird homes or holes made to eat bugs.

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Observation: Look at the beautiful roots going out of the tree. There has been a spring flood and the ground was washed away from the roots. This tree is also beautiful because it is HUGE.

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Animal Homes Field Trip

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I went on a virtual field trip on Tuesday, November 17 with Mr. Wade to Big Willow Park.

My number one highlight was....

Art here

Story Here

I learned....

Photo here

Building a Fort

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2. Photo - Required at least one (more if you want)

This is the fort I built with my sister. We went in the woods by my elementary school. We found a good log to lean the big branches on. It took us about an hour to build our fort. Then we went home and got a carpet to sit on. It was warm inside. I learned that it is pretty easy to build a fort.

3. Caption or reflection - Required. You may not just add photos. Some kind of explanation with words needs to be on your page.

Winter Birds

Thursday, January 7, 2021

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2. Date - Required

Observations: I have lots of birds in my bird feeders all winter. I have observed that different bird seed and different bird feeders. I enjoy watching nature out my window all winter. Of course, the squirrels feast on the food too!

3. Caption or reflection - Required. You may not just add photos. Some kind of explanation with words needs to be on your page.

American Gold Finch

4. Photo - Required at least one (more if you want)

This is a Chickadee.

Squirrels!!

This is not my photo but it is so cool I had to share. This is a Snowy Owl.
They are very special and hard to find. They have been spotted out at the airport. Even though it is very loud they like the wide open space to hunt.