Nature Notebook

My Nature Notebook

By Mrs. Humphrey
2020

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.

Loading...

#4. Twenty Minute Hike

Loading...

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

Loading...

Observation 1: Ground moss is sprouting.

Loading...

Loading...

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

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

8: Ducks flying overhead

Loading...

Loading...

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

Loading...

Loading...

Observation 10: Little ferns coming through the leaves.

Loading...

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

Twenty Minute Hike - Seeking Beauty 4/25/2020

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?

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.

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.

Observation: Bird homes or holes made to eat bugs.

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.

Required

Animal Homes Field Trip

Required

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

1. Title - Required

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

1. Title - Required

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.