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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge:Elk Nature Study

Elk Nature Study

This week we’ll learn about the majestic elk as part of the Outdoor Hour Challenge. I never had any real experience with elk until we moved to Central Oregon. Now, each spring, we have them right out our back door.

With this nature study lesson, you’ll have a chance to learn about this large mammal and do some comparing to other mammals you see more regularly.

Alternate study: Outdoor Hour Challenge – Deer Nature Study.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Elk Nature Study

Here are a few ideas to get you started with an elk nature study:

  • Choose your resource for learning about the elk. This could be a field guide, a book from your local library or an online resource. Here’s a link to a webpage that has an abundance of information on elk in North America: Elk Network.  You will find facts, videos, and range maps on that page that will help you learn about this magnificent animal.
  • This website has a printable fact sheet about elk: USDA American Elk.

 

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you’ll find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

High Desert Ebook cover graphic

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

  • Bitterbrush
  • Sagebrush
  • Greater sage-grouse
  • Succulents
  • Mountain Lion
  • Coyote
  • Pocket Gopher
  • Bristlecone Pine
  • Elk
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Juniper
  • Snowberry
  • Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
  • River Otter

 

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020Please use the discount code OHC10 to receive $5 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership.

 

 

 

 

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New Printables for Members – Vernal Pools and Snow Plant

Now available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships:

1. Snow Plant Nature Study Notebook Page– This time of year you may find yourself walking along your favorite trail and spot some snow plant. If you do a little research ahead of time, you will be armed with a few facts and things to look for when you see a snow plant in person.

2. Vernal Pool Notebook Page – Spring is vernal pool time in our area. Look up the definition of a vernal pool and then make plans to go out to discover one in your area.

snow Plant Nature Study Notebook PageVernal Pools Habitat Notebook Page

(See the end of this post for more information on how you can become a member.)

Note: If you have any subjects you would like me to create nature notebook pages for, please let me know in a comment here on the blog or in an email: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com

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Print a complete list of printables available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships by clicking the button above.

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Use the discount code NATURE5 for $5 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership!

april page image

Members also have access to the Nature Planner pages in their library. Print out this month’s page and use it to stimulate your weekly nature study time.

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Spring Nature Study Ideas and Reminders


 Seasonal Topics - Spring Reminders @handbookofnaturestudy

Here are some ideas from year-long nature study topics we’ve done in the past:

Spring Weather Observations – free printable notebook page

Spring Splendor Walk – spring nature walk scavenger hunt

Signs of Spring – Outdoor Hour Challenge – printable notebook page

Spring Bird Observations – free printable bird list

Seasonal Cattail Study – with free printable

Seasonal Milkweed Study – with free printable notebook page

Year-Long Pond Study – with a free printable notebook page

Year-Long Queen Anne’s Lace Study and a free printable notebook page

Burdock Study – start a year-long study

NOTE: You may wish to start a new year-long study this spring using some of the ideas above. Spring is a wonderful beginning, so take advantage of the opportunity and season.

Spring Ebooks Graphic button

The current library contains 25 ebooks covering hundreds of topics. There are 76 newsletters in the library and dozens of printables in addition to the ebooks!

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Right now, use the discount code SPRINGBREAK  for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. This offer will be valid until 3/31/2020. 

 

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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge -Coyote Nature Study

Have you ever heard a coyote howl in the distance? Have you seen them dart out across a road in your neighborhood? Did you ever wonder, was that a big dog or a coyote? Well, now is your chance to learn more about that amazing and elusive animal, the coyote.

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Image credit: Jitze Couperus

While I was researching the coyote, I learned that many communities are dealing with more frequent sightings as the coyote’s habitat is shrinking and people are moving into their natural territory.

As always, where possible, I suggest an alternative or supplementary nature study topic for you to choose from for each Outdoor Hour Challenge. This week the alternative suggested nature study topic is: Outdoor Hour Challenge: Dogs.

Outdoor Hour Challenge coyote nature study

Here are a few ideas to get you started with a coyote nature study:

  • Choose your resource for learning about the coyote. This can be an online site like National Trappers Association or the National Park Service.  You can hear coyotes howling and yipping in this video: Coyote Howl. Our neighborhood has several coyotes and we hear them howling when they hear sirens in the distance. It can be so loud! Can you howl and yip like a coyote?

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

High Desert Ebook cover graphic

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

  • Bitterbrush
  • Sagebrush
  • Greater sage-grouse
  • Succulents
  • Mountain Lion
  • Coyote
  • Pocket Gopher
  • Bristlecone Pine
  • Elk
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Juniper
  • Snowberry
  • Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
  • River Otter

 

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Please use the discount code SPRINGBREAK to receive $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership

 

 

 

 

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Outdoor Mom – March 2020 Crossbills and Bluebirds!

Outdoor Mom – March 2020

Nature study and making daily nature observations is a fantastic way to take a break from the craziness of the COVID-19 situation. As long as you keep your social distancing, it’s recommended that we get outside and take a walk. I’m all in favor of that advice and hope that my outdoor experiences this month inspire you to get out and take that walk!

During our outdoor time this month we went…
We’ve taken several walks to our river to look at the river’s level, the condition of the banks with their muddy edges and animal tracks, and to listen to the spring birds that have returned to our neighborhood and make their nests in the river willows.

red crossbill bird march 2020 (9)

So far, the red-winged blackbirds, the robins, and the red crossbills have been the most numerous to return. Yes, I said crossbills! This is very early for them to make a stop at our birdfeeders. So early, that when I reported their numbers on my Project Feederwatch report last week, they wanted to know if I had a photo. Of course I had a photo!

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The most inspiring thing we experienced was…

The green grass is peeking through the remaining brown winter grasses. I can’t tell you how hopeful that made us that we’ll soon see the return of the longer spring days. Even now as I write this entry, and the greenness is covered up with five inches of fresh snow, my mind’s eye can see it under there just waiting for the warm sun’s rays to wake it up again.

Our outdoor time made us ask (or wonder about)…

We observed that one of the ground squirrel holes in our backyard shows signs of activity. It seems a bit early for their appearance but we are wondering if it’s like with ground hogs. Do the ground squirrels take a peek outside once in awhile to determine if it’s time to come out of hibernation? My guess is they went back to sleep!

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In the garden, we are planning/planting/harvesting…

I was so anxious for some spring color that I went to Home Depot and purchased a few colorful indoor plants to enjoy until we can plant our seeds. I brought home a “spring cactus” which is really a rhipsalidopsis. Two African violets also found a home in my kitchen window. What a difference it makes having just a bit of happiness in the form of a pretty flower within view most of my day!

western bluebirds nesting box march 2020 (6)

I am dreaming about…

The bluebirds have been checking out the nesting boxes in our yard, going in and out, sitting near the entrances on sunny afternoons. It reminds me of the summer days of bluebird babies poking their heads out of the box to have their mothers bring them a meal. Such a comforting image that I look forward to seeing again soon.

I am reading…

While it’s strictly not a nature related book, I thought I would share a title that gave me a little winter escape to a place I would like to visit in real life, Avonlea and Prince Edward Island. The book is titled, Marilla of Green Gables, and is the prequel to Anne of Green Gables, telling the story of Marilla Cuthbert.

 

 

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Want to join in the Outdoor Mom post?

Answer all or just one of the prompts in a blog entry on your own blog or right here on my blog in a comment. If you answer on your blog, make sure to leave me a link in a comment so that I can pop over and read your responses.

  • During our outdoor time this month we went…
  • The most inspiring thing we experienced was…
  • Our outdoor time made us ask (or wonder about)…
  • In the garden, we are planning/planting/harvesting…
  • I added nature journal pages about…
  • One last image…
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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge-Mountain Lion Nature Study

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Mountain Lion Nature Study

Are you joining us for the new series of Outdoor Hour Challenges from the brand new ebook, High Desert Nature Study? I highly recommend this ebook for everyone, even if you don’t live in or near this fascinating habitat. The topics we’re going to work through are ones that your children will find interesting and be excited to complete in anticipation of observing these subjects in the future.

As always, where possible, I suggest an alternative or supplementary nature study topic for you to choose from for each Outdoor Hour Challenge. This week the alternative suggested nature study topic is: Outdoor Hour Challenge: Cats

Outdoor Hour Challenge Mountain LIon nature study

Here are a few ideas to get you started with a mountain lion nature study:

  • Choose your resource for learning about the mountain lion (Puma concolor).  Don’t forget to look at your public library for books on mountain lions.
  • For younger children, listen to chapter 30 in the Burgess Animal Book for Children, featuring the cougar (mountain lion).
  • Advanced study:  Research what you should do if you encounter a mountain lion. Here is a link: Mountain Lion Foundation.

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

High Desert Ebook cover graphic

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

  • Bitterbrush
  • Sagebrush
  • Greater sage-grouse
  • Succulents
  • Mountain Lion
  • Coyote
  • Pocket Gopher
  • Bristlecone Pine
  • Elk
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Juniper
  • Snowberry
  • Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
  • River Otter

 

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Please use the discount code SPRINGBREAK to receive $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership

 

 

 

 

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Spring Break Discount Code! Join Now!

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Are you facing Spring Break with the kids and are wondering what you can do to have some fun and learn something at the same time? It may be time to give the Outdoor Hour Challenge a try!

Benefits by Level graphic 2019 to 2020 updated January 2020

Just look at all those benefits of an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership!

The current library contains 25 ebooks covering hundreds of topics. There are 76 newsletters in the library and dozens of printables in addition to the ebooks!

Right now, use the discount code SPRINGBREAK  for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. This offer will be valid until 3/31/2020. 

What a fantastic deal! For $35 dollars you will have this amazing resource for a complete year from your purchase. Take a look at some samples and download a newsletter to take a peek at what you will get with your membership.

Click over to the Join Us page and scroll down to find a sample that interests you: Join Us.

Newsletter Index downloadSample Newsletter: January 2014.

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Click the graphic to see the current list of printables available with a membership.

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Wildflower Succession and Ephemerals

Wildflower Succession and Ephemerals

Wildflowers take their “turns” as they bloom through each season. This idea came to me years ago as I hiked the same trail many times a month and I noted that a certain meadow always had a flower blooming. The wildflowers don’t all bloom at the same time but they do bloom in the same order each year. This “cycle” or succession of flowers gives us a way to mark time.

spring wildflowersIn the early spring, the meadow comes alive with popcorn flower. Next to bloom are the shooting stars, the California poppies, and the purple Chinese houses. Making observations of the meadow has become an annual activity for me and it is enjoyable to know which flowers to anticipate as the season goes on.  The early spring wildflowers make their appearance before the surrounding trees leaf out and make shade. These plants quickly flower and go to seed, waiting for the next year to bloom again.

This cycle of flowering and then seed dropping fascinates me. I imagine all those seeds layered there in the soil just waiting for the conditions to be right in order for them to start their blooming cycle again the next year.

Wildflower spring ephemerals lupine

Spring ephemerals: Ephemeral means short lived or lasting for a brief time. In the case of wildflowers, these are usually the first flowers to develop stems, leaves, and flowers. They spring up quickly, bloom, seed, and then disappear once the temperatures heat up and the trees grow overhead.  They don’t really die but go dormant.

Here are some from my Sierra Foothill habitat in California:

¨ Blue Dicks, Dichelostemma capitatum

¨ California Golden Violet, Viola pedunculata

¨ Elegant Brodiaea, Brodiaea elegans

¨ Hooker’s Evening Primrose, Oenothera elata hookeri

¨ Mariposa or Butterfly Lily, Calochortus venustus

¨ Miner’s lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata

¨ Miniature lupine, Lupinus bicolor

¨ Owl’s Clover or Valley Tassels, Castilleja lineariloba

¨ Pretty Face, Triteleia ixioides

¨ Rose Globe or Fairy Lily, Calochortus amoenus

¨ Shooting Star, Dodecatheon jeffreyi

What are the spring ephemeral wildflowers in your area?

 Wildflower Succession and Spring Ephemerals

Activity

Wildflower Succession in Your Neighborhood

Choose a wildflower that grows in your neighborhood to watch each spring. Create a long term record of its initial bloom time each year. Use the data and compare the dates from year to year. Did weather– rainfall, snowfall, temperature– affect its blooming?

Wildflower Related Citizen Science Project Opportunity

Join Nature’s Notebook and make observations of a specific plant (or animal) in your area. By submitting data to this program, you will be helping scientists in their research. See the website for details and instructions. Click here for more information: Nature’s Notebook.

 

Newsletter Index download

This article first appeared in the April 2016 Handbook of Nature Study Newsletter.

 Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower Ebook 1 promo button

Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower Ebook two promo button

Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower Ebook 3 promo button

You may wish to download one of the wildflower ebooks from your Ultimate Naturalist Library and use it this spring and summer for your nature study time.

 

Here is a list of the wildflowers included in those ebooks:

Ebook #1: Field mustard, Wild radish, Shooting star, Lupine, Purple Chinese houses, Yarrow.

Eboook #2: Henbit, Cow parsnip, Columbine, Chicory, Cocklebur.

Ebook #3: Fireweed, Salsify, Forget-Me-Not, Paintbrush, Common silverweed.

 

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020If you still need a membership, click the graphic above to find out more about joining now.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Garden Wildflower and Weeds Index @handbookofnaturestudy

You can also find many more wildflower nature study challenges on the Wildflower tab on the website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge-Western Tanager Bird Study

Western Tanager Bird Study

Last year was the first time we ever had Western tanagers at our backyard feeders. It was thrilling to see their vibrant color after such a long stretch of winter birds. I invite you to complete this study to prepare for the possible observation of a tanager in your near future.

western tanager may 2019

Here’s an idea to get you started:

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the Forest Fun ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, a coloring page, and notebook pages.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Western Tanaer bird Study

Note: An alternate or additional study this week could be the American Goldfinch or the Baltimore Oriole.

 

Forest Fun ebook cover graphic

We’re working through the Forest Fun ebook which is a brand new series of nature studies featuring things you might find in the forest. It’s not too late to join us by purchasing an Ultimate Naturalist or Journey level membership.

Topics in this ebook include:

Rabbitbrush

Skunk Cabbage

Azalea

Common Raven

California Quail

Western Tanager

Black Bear

Moose

Porcupine

 

 

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

 

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Spring Ebooks from the Ultimate Naturalist Library!

Spring Ebooks from the Ultimate Naturalist Library!

I think we’re all ready for some awesome spring nature study after a long winter’s stretch of cold and gray days. Spring is the perfect time to get started with nature study if you’ve been putting it off! If you use the Outdoor Hour Challenges, there is no shortage of fun and easy nature study activities to choose from…just see the list below.

Spring Ebooks Graphic button

Spring Nature Study Continues

More Nature Study Book #3 Outdoor Hour Challenges – Spring Splendor

Spring Series 2010 Ebook Challenges:

The Garden Flower and Plant Challenges in the Ebook: 

In addition to the Outdoor Hour Challenges listed above, you can use any of the spring newsletters in the archives if you have a membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study.

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

Use the code OHC10 for $5 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

Benefits by Level graphic 2019 to 2020 updated January 2020