Tag: High Desert

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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge -Pocket Gopher Nature Study

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Pocket Gopher Nature Study

Most children have noticed holes in the ground during their outdoor time. Have you ever wondered who made those holes and how they created them? This week you’ll use your outdoor hour to look for some holes of your own.

pocket gopher mammal high desert photo credit httpswww.flickr.comphotosgregthebusker
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gregthebusker/

Before you go, do some of the Inside Preparation Work from the Outdoor Hour Challenge for pocket gophers. This will help you learn about an animal that might have dug the hole you find. Make sure to watch the YouTube videos linked below!

Alternate study: Gopher, Ground Hog, Woodchuck, and Marmot.

Pocket Gopher Nature Study Outdoor Hour challenge

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

 

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 INITTOGETHER to receive $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership.

 

 

 

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Elk Nature Study

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.

Elk Nature Study

The full elk Outdoor Hour Challenge is included in Homeschool Nature Study membership in our High Desert course. This study includes:

  • suggestions for study and your Outdoor Hour Time
  • elk notebook and coloring pages
  • pages in the Burgess Book for Children
  • research to see if elk live near you
  • 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!

Find Out More About Homeschool Nature Study Membership!

Original post written by Barb 2020, updated by Stef Layton 2024.

 

 

 

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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.

1751241022_465507c4a2_c
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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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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Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge-Rabbitbrush Nature Study

Forest Fun – Rabbitbrush Nature Study

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Our habitat here in Central Oregon is filled with lots of rabbitbrush. Use a field guide or the link below to determine if you have access to rabbitbrush in your neighborhood.

  • There is a range map found here: USDA rabbitbrush.  Look for rabbitbrush in grasslands, open woodlands, dry open areas with sagebrush, among junipers, and at the edges of ponderosa pine forests. Bloom time is from July to October.

Rabbitbrush collage

Note: If you don’t have rabbitbrush, you can substitute a study of goldenrod this week.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Rabbitbrush nature study

Please note that I will not 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.

Forest Fun ebook cover graphic

We are 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 November 2019

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 24 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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High Desert Habitat Resources and Ebook

High Desert Ebook cover graphic
Ultimate and Journey Level members can click this graphic to go directly to the library to download a copy of this new ebook. Make sure you are logged in and if you’re having trouble with your password, please leave me a comment or send me a direct email to receive my assistance. Email: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com

New Ebook is Now Available to Members!

The High Desert ebook is now ready for you to download and use with your family. This ebook has been a labor of love on my part because it is filled with some of my favorite topics and things I have in my own habitat. I have been anxious to share these subjects with you my blog readers for a long time!

I have included many links and resources for nature journal pages for your family to use in your nature study.

We will be working our way through this ebook in a few months so get ready to follow along. Please note that even though this ebook is titled “high desert”, many of the the topics can be found in other habitats. In most cases, I have suggested an alternative nature study idea to supplement or substitute for the ebook topic. I encourage you to give it a try!

2019 to 2020 plan graphic with ebook covers 2

There are 14 brand new Outdoor Hour Challenges for you to complete as part of your nature study lessons with your children. These Challenges are not based on information in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. You’ll be using internet links and field guides to glean information about each topic. See the bottom of this post for book and resource ideas you may wish to have as a supplement to this High Desert ebook.

  • This 63 page digital ebook has 14 challenges and supplemental activities
  • There are multiple custom notebooking pages for each of the topics. You can choose from simple notebook pages or more advanced notebooking pages.
  • There are 12 coloring pages.
  • Sample: High Desert Ebook Sample

Here are the specific topics included in this ebook:

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

 

How do you get the new High Desert ebook?

Members of the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey levels have access to the new ebook in their library. You need to click the “Members Area” button at the top of the website, sign into your account, and the ebook is there to download and save for your family to use when desired.

Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

If you don’t have a membership yet, I’m offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.

Discount Code: OHC10

 

Here are my favorite resources that I use all of the time in my own study of the High Desert habitat.

The Nature of Bend

Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest

Sagebrush Country-A Wildflower Sactuary
There is also a printable guide to plants of the High Desert found at this link:

Xeriscaping in the High Desert.

I have this printed out and I use it to plan my garden. It may be helpful as a supplement to your learning about this unique high desert landscape.

Please note the links above are Amazon affiliate links to books I own and love.