Learn more about the interesting Subnivean Zone animals and predators with these facts and new member worksheet.
The Subnivean Zone is found in and under the snow pack. It’s the space that many creatures inhabit during the winter where the snow actually acts as an insulator from cold winter temperatures. Smaller mammals like mice, voles, pikas, and shrews live in the subnivean zone to escape the cold, wind, and predators.
The smaller mammals create a unique tunnel system to travel around, hunt, and gather food. However, predators like weasels, foxes, coyotes, owls, and wolves, use their amazing senses of smell, hearing, and sight to find these prey below the snow.
Does your state have a Subnivean Zone?
The Subnivean Zone is found in colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including states along the Rocky Mountains, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
The Subnivean Zone temperature remains steady around 32 degrees Fahrenheit – even when the surface temperature drops much colder!
“Sub” means beneath, and “niv” translates from Latin as snow.
Sublimation happens under the snow when heat from the ground changes the snow from frozen water directly into water vapor. As the vapor cools, it condenses and forms a layer of ice on the snow.
Member’s Printable Worksheet
Homeschool Nature Study Members will find the new Subnivean Zone Worksheet in their database. Find it in your Winter course. There are so many wonderful winter nature studies for you to enjoy!
Learn More About Outdoor Hour Challenges with The Handbook of Nature Study
It’s a great time to join Homeschool Nature Study! We offer a multitude of science activities, hands-on learning ideas, seasonal nature studies, crafts, free resources for all ages – join the #outdoorhourchallenge community and enhance your homeschool science lessons!
Homeschool Nature Study Membership
Our Homeschool Nature Study members have access to endless year round nature studies, Handbook of Nature Study references, follow up nature journaling activities, notebook pages and resources to inspire and guide you.
Learn about this mighty bird with a bald eagle study for kids that includes nature study, journaling and nature craft activities plus hands on art ideas.
Bald Eagle as National Symbol of the United States and America’s National Bird
The Bald Eagle is National Emblem of the United States of America and has been since 1782. The eagle has been considered a symbol of strength since Roman legions used this bird as their symbol. After its adoption as the national emblem, the eagle then was added to government documents, flags, buildings and more. The eagle is part of the Great Seal of the United States as well as the seal of the President of the United States. That seal is also on the one dollar bill.
The bald eagle bird spent time on the endangered list starting in 1978. Its numbers recovered and the bald eagle was removed from the list in 2007.
Bald Eagle Study for Kids
Bald eagles build nests with large sticks. They usually choose to build their nest at the top of a lone tree or on a rock in a very high place. This gives the eagle a great view for hunting.
Why is this bird of prey called a bald eagle? A bald eagle is actually not bald. But the white feathers on its head make it distinct and gives this majestic bird its name.
Enjoy a video all about bald eagles for kids.
Bald Eagle Nature Study for Kids and Other Birds of Prey
Though The Handbook of Nature Study does not include the eagle, we can use so many of the suggestions for other bird of prey.
Use your favorite bird field guide to study the range and habits of the bald eagle.
If you have the opportunity to observe eagles near your home, plan a time to! If not, there are many bird observations and backyard bird activities you can enjoy during your outdoor hour.
Members can follow the Study on the Hawk with detailed observations as well as advanced studies.
Amy Law shared these wonderful resources on birds of prey! “My husband has been a falconer for years; so this week’s Outdoor Hour Challenge on hawks is a special one to our family. Through the years, my husband has had a few different kinds of birds of prey. . . Red Tail, Harris Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Gyr Falcon, and a Kestrel. They’re amazing to watch close up, but also so amazing to watch in their natural habitat as well!”
Here are five tips to help you find and study hawks or other birds of prey this week!
1. Birds of prey can be found everywhere. . .in the woods, in fields, along roadsides. It’s not uncommon to find a nest in a neighborhood these days.
2. You can often find Red Tails sitting on the top of utility poles along the roads or up in the tallest tree around. They sit up high, while they’re looking for small animals for food. 3. Kestrels are often seen sitting on telephone wires or on wire fences. These tiny birds of prey are so cute!
4. Especially in winter, look for the birds’ silhouette in tall trees. Their colors will often blend in, but the silhouette is still there.
5. For close up study, often a nature center will have a bird of prey that has been injured and can’t live in the wild anymore. Also, zoos, of course!
Most of all, enjoy studying these beautiful birds together!.
Eagle Nature Journaling and Art Lesson
Our sister site has an eagle nest art lesson that Nana shared in her Forest Nature course in You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse membership.
Bird Nature Study Activities in Homeschool Nature Study Membership
You can enjoy these resources in Homeschool Nature Study membership:
Bird Outdoor Hour Challenge Curriculum
All About Birds Outdoor Hour Challenge Curriculum
Feather Coloring Page
Bird Feet Observations
Bird Life Cycle
and much more!
More Bird Homeschool Studies
For your resident ornithologists, besides this bald eagle study for kids, we have even more fun to explore!
Learn More About Outdoor Hour Challenges with The Handbook of Nature Study
Our Homeschool Nature Study members have access to endless year round nature studies, Handbook of Nature Study references, follow up nature journaling activities, notebook pages and resources to inspire and guide you.
The humble book basket is a simple idea that provides powerful opportunities for learning in your homeschool life. Gathering seasonal or themed nature study books into a basket takes a few minutes of preparation but it can provide hours of enjoyment for your family.
How To Use a Book Basket with Nature Study: Three Ways a Book Basket Facilitates Learning
Just how can a simple book basket spur on homeschool learning? A book basket:
A Book Basket introduces and allows familiarity to nature study topics
Make sure to read or page through any picture books in the basket at the beginning of the month. Demonstrate how to use field guides (or learn how to use them together with your children).
Reference: If you choose books that fit into your monthly nature study themes, you can refer to the books in the basket as needed to support or go more in-depth as you work through your weekly topics.
A Nature Book Basket Allows for Independent Learning
Leaving the basket out at a level accessible to your children will allow them to study the books on their own during their free time.
Suggestions for Getting Started with a Nature Book Basket
Use the ideas included in the Outdoor Hour Challenges to spark topics for your basket each month (current topics). There are suggestions for a bird, mammal, flower, and tree to focus your study on each month.
There is usually a link to a list of books and other materials to use during your circle time or to have on your nature shelf or in your Book Basket.
Tips for a Successful Book Basket
The trick to making a successful and interesting Book Basket is to rotate the books periodically, keeping it fresh for your children.
Don’t overload your basket since it can lead to a large mess! Keep the number of books appropriate to the ages of your children and train them to put the books back when they are finished.
Even if you don’t keep your books in a basket, featured books gathered each month and kept on a prominent shelf or placed on a coffee table might entice your children to take a look at some point during the month.
For older students, putting the books on a shelf may work better.
Extended Nature Study Activity: Narration or Nature Journaling
Ask your child to narrate back a main point after reading any book from your Book Basket. Use that point as a written narration in your nature journal and have your child illustrate the point.
More Learning Inspired by Nature Books
From book lists to nature study references, we have a variety of resources to inspire your learning:
A Homeschool Mom’s Best Tips for Organizing Your Nature Library – Using good nature study reference books and literature will be a huge help in nudging along the seeds of a love nature in your child. To help you find what you need when you need it, these are our best tips for organizing your nature library. As the seasons and years pass, they will dig deep into your nature library and become familiar with so many things.
The Ultimate List of Preschool Nature Study Books – While nothing beats experiencing nature first-hand, preschool nature study books are a vital component of our preschool nature studies. We have used both fiction and non-fiction books to introduce a topic, supplement a topic and study a topic in-depth.
The Best Winter Nature Books for Cozy Homeschooling – These are the best winter nature books for cozy homeschooling days. Includes winter nature study suggestions you can do through your window – or for a quick and refreshing outdoor time.
A Summer Nature Themed Book List for Easy Learning – Over the years, our family has built a nature themed library of our favorite and most useful resources. There are picture books featuring the natural world, fiction with a nature theme, and non-fiction reference and activity filled books. Even now with my children all grown and on their own, I use this nature library for my own benefit and enjoyment.
Fall Homeschool Nature Books List – With the changing leaves and beautiful weather upon us, this ultimate list of nature themed books for fall homeschooling is your go-to for the season!
Learn More About Outdoor Hour Challenges with The Handbook of Nature Study
Our Homeschool Nature Study members have access to endless year round nature studies, Handbook of Nature Study references, follow up nature journaling activities, notebook pages and resources to inspire and guide you.
Here are a few of the ways we keep our yard as a wildlife habitat in winter. We have structured our garden to help encourage wildlife to visit all year long. Create a Winter Garden and add shelter for wildlife with these easy and effective resources and tips.
Planning ahead when you are finishing your autumn garden clean-up gives your winter garden a chance to provide the shelter your neighborhood creatures need to survive the cold and wet conditions of the season. Shelter from the wind, rain, snow, ice, and predators is a vital part of any winter garden plan.
It is just a matter of knowing which plants to prune back and which ones can be left as they are. We have learned by trial and error mostly. The Heavenly bamboo along the front of our house is not only colorful this time of year with the leaves turning reddish and the berries ripening to a brilliant orange-red but it is a source of shelter for birds and insects. I have seen the Ruby-crowned kinglet gathering spiderwebs from these bushes.
“Moss, grass, lichen, bark strips, twigs, rootlets, needles, and spider webs comprise its outer walls, and feathers, plant down, and hair form a soft lining.”
We leaves some of the grasses and weeds for the birds and other animals to use as food and shelter.
They don’t look very appetizing but the birds think these are tasty little treats….blackberries left on the vine just behind our bird feeding station. The finches, sparrows, titmouse, and towhees all shelter on and under these vines. I also saw fox scat just by these vines last week so I think they might be gleaning a few berries as well (as evidenced in the scat).
The coneflowers are another favorite in the winter flower garden. I cut them way back but leave some of the seed heads for the birds to glean from.
We also have learned that some of the weeds in our yard are best left to over-winter. These mullein plants will shoot up a stalk next spring and then flower all summer. The hummingbirds and finches will use them as a steady part of their diet. We leave those in the garden.
I harvested about thirty pounds of walnuts this year for our enjoyment. I will spend many a winter evening hour cracking nuts for our family and to share with friends. Some of those friends will have feathers and fur. I leave quite a few of the nuts for the squirrels and Scrub jays to use for their winter meals. When I note that all the nuts are up off the ground, I will regularly set some out of my store cupboard in various parts of the yard. They always disappear.
Lavender along the front wall is once place I trim but not all the way back. It looks sort of wild but it does provide shelter all winter long for birds and nectar for the hummingbirds and bees. Yes, we have bees and hummingbirds in the winter who frequent this section of the garden. It amazes me every time I see the birds hovering over those small little flowers but they must be gathering some food or they wouldn’t come back.
I also love leaving this section of lavender because when the sun hits those plants it produces a sweet smell that reminds me that summer will come again. It can’t all be about the animals, birds, and insects!
How to Create Winter Shelter Habitats in Your Backyard Garden
Winter gardening for wildlife allows our family to help sustain our local animal community during the long cold winter months when they are looking for their basic needs of food, water, and shelter.
One of the vital components of a winter garden for wildlife is to create sheltering spots. This often means leaving a little “messiness” in your winter garden. With just a little effort and planning, you can be rewarded with daily visits from the birds and other animals who enjoy your winter garden.
Here are some ideas for you to use in your own winter garden oasis for sheltering spots:
bushes
rocks
trees
arbor
leaf piles
Leaf and Stick Shelter for Birds, Insects and Mammals
Spreading fallen leaves over your flower beds makes a place for birds to forage and other creatures to over-winter. I have observed the towhees and the juncos picking through the leaves looking for something to eat. We even add in a few of the smaller fallen branches to the pile which give additional spots for birds to perch and land under the feeder. If you have access to a few logs, making a log pile would be another option for a variety of creatures to use as shelter.
Rock Shelter for Insects and Invertebrates
Our rock patches are the perfect place for overwintering creatures to hide in and under. I know there are insects of some kind living in these rocks….I have seen beetles. I also have observed that the Western scrub jays and robins poke around in these rocks which leads me to believe there are some tasty morsels in the rocks for them to enjoy.
Larger Rocks for Shelter for Mammals and Invertebrates
Larger rocks allow for creatures to shelter from the winter temperatures and conditions. They seem to find all the nooks and crannies to squeeze into and to use as protection. I have even seen a few lizards out here on the big rocks…not my favorite creatures but still very awesome to see.
Vines for Shelter for Birds and Insects
Although we do prune back the trumpet vines and climbing rose twice a year, we leave it to grow over the winter to allow the birds to perch and shelter. Our main backyard bird feeder is just to the left of the edge of this photo and the birds will use these vines as landing spots on their way to and from the feeder. I have also seen the birds huddled inside the vines when the wind is howling away…they seem all snug tucked up inside. The littler birds escape the larger birds by getting up inside the vines…many layers of shelter going on in this spot of the yard.
Dried Plant Stems for Winter Shelter for Insects
Leaving dry plant stems in the garden leaves a place for insects and spiders to shelter. I read somewhere that there are insects that will crawl into the hollow stems for shelter through the winter. I have not seen this yet but my eyes are on the alert!
Winter Shelter Ideas: Shrubs and Bushes for Birds, Mammals and Insects
The shrubs and bushes in our yard provide the best protection from the rain and snow. I often will see birds tucked up inside the limbs of the bushes in our yard even in the hardest downpours. There are several spots in the lavender bushes that look like the image above where the birds have created a little hiding spot.
Do you have any additional ideas for winter garden shelter for wildlife?
More Garden and Habitat Learning with Homeschool Nature Study Membership!
With a nature study calendar for every day of the year, nature curriculum topics to match the learning in your homeschool and the help you need as a homeschool mom, we truly do help make it easy and effective.
This ultimate nature study guide for homeschoolers might be just the nudge you need to get outdoors with your children! With just 10 minutes, nature study can be fun, easy and effective!
When I first started incorporating nature study into our homeschool days, I thought I had to do a lot of prep work and have a specific topic. With experience, I found that is not true.
I also found that while there is plenty of homeschool nature study curriculum, there is a lack of encouragement and guidance specifically for the homeschool mom.
The Ultimate Nature Study Guide for Homeschoolers
This guide is here to encourage YOU! We will show you not only the purpose of using the Handbook of Nature Study but also share how joyful nature study time can be. You will be making memories with your children that you will cherish. And you will learn so much about nature yourself.
Why Use the Handbook of Nature Study?
The author of The Handbook of Nature Study, Anna Botsford Comstock, suggests that nature study be only 10 minutes to half an hour in length. (page 6) I am finding this is a wonderful way to spend a few minutes outside with my children each day….yes we are committing to 10-60 minutes outside per day. We all feel so much more refreshed and it has actually helped us be more focused when we are doing our indoor homeschooling.
This is a BIG book and can be a little intimidating!
Don’t worry, I felt the same way which is why I want to share how The Handbook of Nature Study might be helpful in your homeschool.
Which edition of the Handbook of Nature Study do you use?Where do you find The Handbook of Nature Study book?
The Handbook of Nature Study book by Anna Botsford Comstock is a staple in the Outdoor Hour Challenges we share. This is a wonderful reference guide for you, the homeschool teacher to use. We show you how, HERE!
The Handbook of Nature Study is a Guide for the Homeschool Mom
Amy Law, homeschool mom of three, shares: “The first time I held my copy of The Handbook of Nature Study in my hands, I was a little overwhelmed at the thickness of it and all the information it contained. But, over the years, it has become a dear and precious friend that continues to teach me about nature.
Six tips for using The Handbook of Nature Study:
1. Read the introductory material. It’s so helpful!!!
2. Make use of the index in the back.
3. Pre-read it, and then tell your kids about it. Don’t just set them lose to read it on their own, or they’ll be overwhelmed.
4. Don’t forget to study the detailed drawings! There is much to be learned from those alone.
5. A field guide or an internet connection can be helpful to see the plants/animals in color.
6. Have fun with it!
I hope this valuable resource becomes a wonderful friend to you, too!
7 Top Tips for Using the Handbook of Nature Study in Your Homeschool – Have you ever wondered how to use The Handbook of Nature Study? Does one look at it have you feeling completely overwhelmed? Here are 7 top tips to help you use The Handbook Of Nature Study In Your Homeschool.
Helpful Tips for Incorporating the Handbook of Nature Study in YourHomeschool – So you have The Handbook of Nature Study on your bookshelf. Are you wondering how to use it? Having used it for a number of years in my homeschool I have a few tips to share with you to help put this fantastic resource to good use!
Handbook of Nature Study: Friend or Foe in Your Homeschool – There it is… The Handbook of Nature Study, sitting on your bookshelf. Now what? It can be intimidating to say the least. Is The Handbook Of Nature Study a friend or foe in your homeschool?
Why Do An Outdoor Hour Challenge?
Here are 7 tips for a successful Outdoor Hour Challenge! We spent a little while observing the weather in our own backyard this week! Summer weather always has something interesting going on for sure!
Tips for Planning Your Outdoor Time
Though it is fun to throw the door open and run outside and see what you can find, planning your nature study times will help you and your children look for certain things throughout the changing seasons. Here are some helps for Planning for Nature Study in Your Homeschool.
Nature Study Resources Made for the Homeschool Mom
A nature study guide series focused on the Outdoor Hour Mom. Yes, this is all about you! As homeschool moms we give…A LOT, which is why it is so important that we carve out a little time to nurture our own well-being. Our vision for the Outdoor Mom series is to inspire you to slow down, find beauty in the ordinary, in celebrating your home, in ordinary everyday tasks; your hobbies, interests and of course, nature journaling, nature and the seasons.
There are Outdoor Mom resources for every month of the year!!
Making Homeschool Nature Study Easy And Effective
If you’re not a member here on the Handbook of Nature Study yet, please consider joining to gain the benefit of having a large nature study library at your fingertips. There are numerous resources available for you to help create the habit of nature study within your family, whether you have preschoolers or high schoolers (yes, you can add nature study to your high school transcript!).
With a nature study calendar for every day of the year, nature curriculum topics to match the learning in your homeschool and the help you need as a homeschool mom, we truly do help make it easy and effective.
Do you wonder what animals, birds and insects do in the winter? This hibernation winter nature study helps answer those questions and features a hibernating or migrating printable!
Mammals in general tend to be shy of humans. In the winter, it is even more difficult to observe mammals. Outdoor Hour Challenge founder, Barb McCoy, suggests the following:
1. Read chapter nine in Discover Nature in Winter. The chapter suggests looking for signs of mammals instead like tracks and scat. Highlight ideas for your family to try this week while you are outdoors and looking for mammals.
2. Our family is going to review the chart showing different animal tracks on page 182 and 183. We might try sketching some of the tracks into our nature journal as a reference for future outdoor time. In our area, we often come across animal scat as we hike and we are going to familiarize ourselves with the various kinds of scat by studying the illustrations in this chapter.
For families wanting to participate that do not have the Discover Winter in Nature book, I will list a few simple nature study ideas that you can try with your family.
Keep a record of animal tracks you have observed in the snow or mud. Record your findings in your nature journal along with a drawing, the date, the weather, the time of day, and the type of animal if you have identified it at this time.
Compare a dog’s and a cat’s footprints in the snow or mud.
Research an animal that hibernates and record what you learn in your nature notebook. You can also sketch your animal and what its tracks look like.
More Winter Activities for Your Homeschool
There are still so many nature studies to enjoy in winter!
A fun Hibernating or Migrating sorting study and printable by Stef Layton!
…Most of the birds have gone south because of the cold, and also because their food is gone; the frogs, turtles, and toads are going to sleep all winter down in the mud or earth below the frost; the caterpillars are waiting in their cocoons for the warm spring sunshine; most of the other insects have laid their eggs for the next season, while a few of them have crawled into warm places to wait; the squirrels have gathered a store of nuts, and will soon be asleep in the old tree-trunks; the cats dogs, horses, and cows have grown a fresh coat of hair and fur. Nothing is forgotten; each is ready in its own best way.”Nature Study by Months
Here we have included some relaxed preschool nature study using a nature table. Find simple ideas and images to follow up your outdoor time.
Ideas with The Outdoor Hour Challenges Preschool Curriculum
To make it easy for you, homeschool mom, we gather what you need for each month. Our preschool curriculum includes simple ideas to use with your youngest children, introducing them to one bird, one animal, one flower, and one tree each month.
The accompanying grid will give you ideas to use along with your nature table. Placing items on the table along with the printable photo cards will heighten interest as you work through the month.
The Habit of Gathering Things for Your Homeschool Nature Table – Unsure of what a nature table is exactly? Here is a simple definition with some ideas and tips. These will help you begin the habit of gathering things for your homeschool nature table during your Outdoor Hour Challenge time.
How to Create Simple Nature Displays for Fun Homeschool Learning (Maureen shares!) – It took me awhile to be ok with bringing nature inside. I mean, I was a little concerned about little critter hitch-hikers finding their way into my home. But after figuring out how to address that problem, I was all on board for creating a nature display for our nature treasures. And now we keep adding more around our home. Here’s a few things to think about when planning our nature display.
Preschool Nature Study with Homeschool Nature Study Membership!
Enjoy ALL of our preschool nature studies plus access to the Outdoor Hour Challenges curriculum for the whole family in Homeschool Nature Study Membership.
These are the best winter nature books for cozy homeschooling days. Includes winter nature study suggestions you can do through your window – or for a quick and refreshing outdoor time.
We think the very best winter nature book is our favorite Handbook of Nature Study! There are so many topics to enjoy and to help get you outside for even 15 minutes. The Handbook of Nature Study book by Anna Botsford Comstock is a staple in the Outdoor Hour Challenges we share. This is a wonderful reference guide for you, the homeschool teacher to use. We show you how!
Another good reference winter nature book is Discover Nature in Winter. Several of our winter Outdoor Hour Challenges use this book as a guide. You will love it! Some of the topics match the Handbook of Nature Study and include:
Winter wildlife: birds, insects, squirrels, deer
Underfoot: snowpack, animal tracks, seeds and fruits, winter weeds
Overhead: cedars, birch trees, the zodiac, constellations
“Determine the wind chill factor, observe winter constellations, make a snow gauge, identify winter weeds, find overwintering insects, go bird watching… you will uncover the fascinating world that emerges as the temperature drops outside.” – Elizabeth Lawlor
The Best Winter Nature Books for Cozy Homeschooling
20 Winter Snow Books to Embrace the Snow – It’s time to settle in for the cold months of winter. It’s a great time to snuggle with with some winter snow picture books (and activities) to celebrate this beautiful time of year.
A Robert Frost Style Winter Nature Study for Your Homeschool – You can enjoy a Robert Frost Style winter nature study for your homeschool! Frost’s poem, Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening can be a jumping off point. Enjoy these ideas for your snowy adventure.
North American Wildlife – One of my all-time favorite books for nature study. This colorful edition will keep the interest of children of all ages.
Last Child in the Woods – Encouragement for Parents – A book can transform your thinking completely or it can validate what you have experienced in your own life. Some books do both, like Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. This is a must read book for all homeschool families who are endeavoring to expose their children to the natural world on a regular basis.
Writing About Nature – The Writing About Nature book will help a wide range of writers who find their passion for nature moves them to document in words the creatures, plants, rhythms and cycles experienced in the great outdoors.
One Small Square Illustrated Nature Books – The One Small Square books by Donald Silver uses the space of a three-dimensional square to explore the Earth’s habitats. (You could choose the arctic tundra book for winter!)
More Tips for Your Nature Books
A Homeschool Mom’s Best Tips for Organizing Your Nature Library – Using good nature study reference books and literature will be a huge help in nudging along the seeds of a love nature in your child. To help you find what you need when you need it, these are our best tips for organizing your nature library. As the seasons and years pass, they will dig deep into your nature library and become familiar with so many things.
The Ultimate List of Preschool Nature Study Books – While nothing beats experiencing nature first-hand, preschool nature study books are a vital component of our preschool nature studies. We have used both fiction and non-fiction books to introduce a topic, supplement a topic and study a topic in-depth.
More Winter Homeschooling
Taking Your Winter Nature Study Indoors – Taking your winter nature studies indoors when the weather outdoors is proving to be a challenge may be just the thing you need every once in a while. We have a lovely post from the archives to inspire your homeschool nature studies indoors for those days that you can’t face getting outdoors.
The Winter Homeschool – In our own home, we have often found winter to be a time to cherish as we enjoy the slower pace of life. We build a fire to keep warm, make sure we have lots of hot chocolate and marshmallows and embrace all that this season has to offer us – winter nature walks, cuddle-up read-aloud times, more time for winter crafts and tackling some fun seasonal unit studies. Here are some things we have done in our own homeschool to capitalize on the winter weather.
Winter Learning in Homeschool Nature Study Membership
It is always fun to sit nearby a window and watch to see what you can see outside! This journal page is included in the Winter course in Homeschool Nature Study membership.
“Of all pines, this one gives forth the finest music to the winds.” John Muir
Our local forest is populated with predominately two different pines: the lodge pole and the ponderosa. Of the two, the ponderosa is my favorite! When the forest is cleared, either by man or fire, the ponderosa pines are so beautifully placed just like in a park. They give each other enough room to grow and flourish. Their colorful bark is highlighted especially with snow on the ground. We decided it was about time we took a closer look at this special tree.
Where are Ponderosa Pines?
The native range of ponderosa pine extends from southern Canada into Mexico, and from the Plains States of Nebraska and Oklahoma to the Pacific Coast.
In the winter season, with a proper frosting of snow, the ponderosa pine is like the quintessential pine of your imagination. It grows with a beautifully colored straight trunk with limbs reaching out at just the right intervals. Plus the needles are long and bundled and the cones are just the right size for holding in the palm of your hand. Read more about pine cones from the Homeschool Nature Study Pine Cones.
I remember learning that little trick to identifying the cones….palm size = ponderosa.
So, using our field guide, we set out to learn some new facts about the ponderosa pine. What an incredibly important tree! Not just for lumber but also as a part of the habitat for many birds and animals.
Did you know?
Bats roost in the crevices behind the bark of ponderosa pine trees. Learn more about bats in the Bats Homeschool Nature Study.
Big game like deer and elk use the pines for food and shelter. Read some interesting elk facts from the Elk Nature Study.
Utah is home to the oldest Ponderosa Pine at a young age of 843 years!
Member’s Pine Cone Worksheet
I love the habitat of the ponderosa pine and the creatures that live there. Some of my favorite family times hiking have been under these amazing trees not just here in Oregon but in California, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada.
Homeschool Nature Study Members can find the Pine Cone Observation Worksheet in their dashboard.
“At least one pine tree should be studied in the field. Any species will do …” Handbook of Nature Study, page 674
Join the Homeschool Nature Study Membership
There are so many benefits to joining. You will access our full range of curriculum, our interactive learning calendar as well as a brand new homeschool nature study challenge post each week!
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.
Elk Nature Study & Facts
Male elk are called Bulls and only bulls grow antlers.
Elk are the second largest animal of the deer family, weighing up to 700lbs+. (moose are the biggest)
Elk are the loudest species of deer, their mating call sounds like a bugle.
Elk can run up to 40 mph and jump 8 ft high.
Elk are very good swimmers.
The word “elk” comes from the German “elch,” the name for the European moose.
The elk was nearly killed off by early US settlers, but now thrive, especially in the Western United States.
Where can you find elk?
An estimated one million elk live in the western United States: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, and seven Canadian provinces.
plus suggestions for advanced studies for high school students.
and more!
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.
Join the Homeschool Nature Study Membership
There are so many benefits to joining. You will access our full range of curriculum, our interactive learning calendar as well as a homeschool nature study challenge for each week!
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