Tag: Nature Journal Project

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Nature Journal Examples – June 2017

Weekly Nature Journal Project

June 2017

I’m trying to keep up my nature journal page a week goal and some weeks it is not easy. This time of year I am spending lots of time outdoors both having adventures and working in the yard. I struggle to make myself sit down and actually pull out the nature journal. But once I have it out, I am eager to make a page. Discipline!

 

Buttercup Nature Journal

This was actually done on the last day of May but it didn’t make the May blog entry. I created this as a follow up for the Poppies and Buttercups Outdoor Hour Challenge. We have plenty of buttercups in our backyard to observe so this was part of my learning more about the things we have right outside our back door. I am a huge fan of learning as much as you can about your local area’s plants and animals. Since moving, I have a lot to learn!

Pea family nature journal page

As part of my on-going self-education, I am learning about plants according to their plant family. I created a page for the pea family this month and listed the outstanding features of plants in this family as well as a list of plants I have seen in the past and want to look for in the future.

New Oregon wildflower nature journal page

Wildflowers seem to be a focus for me right now as I explore my new habitat. Three flowers made it into the journal this week: Silverleaf phacelia, Meadow forget-me-not, and Rosy pussytoes. They are all so pretty in real life.

June nature journal recap example

I keep a spiral notebook with pretty much daily notes that record anything I observe of interest. This month I decided to put the highlights from those notes on a recap page in my actual nature journal, first crating colored boxes for some visual appeal.

Once a Month Nature Journal Project @handbookofnaturestudy

Some of the page ideas this month can be found on my Once a Month Nature Journal Project Pinterest Board. Pop over and get some inspiration!

Instagram OutdoorHourChallenge

Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal

 

Nature Study Notebooking Pages

Please note that I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com. I have used these pages with my own family over many years. They are truly a simple way to get those nature journal pages done!

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Nature Journal Examples – May 2017

Weekly Nature Journal Project

May 2017

 

It was a mad rush at the end of April and the beginning of May to get our house packed up and ready to move 450 miles north to our new Oregon river house. I made time to purposefully enjoy our California yard those last few days. It was important to me to write some last thoughts about the amazing front yard habitat we had built to encourage wildlife even in our small little space.

Nature Journal May 1 last CA entry @handbookofnaturestudy

This is the two page spread I completed to put those memories in my nature journal.

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We had four days of being homeless and we spent those days at La Pine State Park camping. It was a fun family time that made the page special as I recorded some of the highlights of those few days together at the Deschutes River.

Nature Journal view from OR house @handbookofnaturestudy

At last we were in the new house! The house feature that stops everyone in their tracks is the rather large window looking from the family room out to the river… the view! It was a perfect first Oregon river house page.

Tree swallow nature journal @handbookofnaturestudy

There are many birds to observe and learn about in our new place. The first bird to make it in my nature journal is the tree swallow. It has quickly become a new favorite bird as it swoops and glides right by my windows in search of flying insects to eat. I have been caught just standing and watching the swallows when I should have been doing something else but I can’t help it. They are so beautiful and graceful.

 

I love keeping my memories in my nature journal.

Instagram OutdoorHourChallenge

 

Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal

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Nature Journal Examples – March Pages

Weekly Nature Journal Project
March 2017

I’m closing in on the end of the first quarter of 2017 which is a great time to take stock of how well I am meeting my nature goals for 2017.
My very ambitious goal of completing a nature journal page a week is going splendidly, partly because I have done some interesting things to journal about and partly because I am motivated to keep it going. There is great joy in looking back and viewing the completed pages.

I think I am onto something here.

The first two pages featured topics from my Hawaiian vacation with my family.

Hawaii turtle whale nature journal

This page was done while sitting at the beach. I created a record of some of our more noteworthy things observed in the ocean…sea turtles and humpback whales!

Kona coffee nature journal

We had such a wonderful experience at Greenwell Coffee Farm that I made that the subject of another Hawaiian inspired page. I love Kona coffee and getting to see the process from blossom to ‘cuppa joe’ was perfect.

California Buckeye nature journal

Our family loves to see the spring green of the California buckeye leaves at this time of the year. It really does mean spring has arrived when the buckeyes start leafing out along our roads and trails. I want to keep up my observations of this common shrub for a complete year. Look for more pages to come!

First Day of Spring 2017 nature journal

Sigh…the first day of spring! No time for a long hike so I squeezed in a little walk to note the changes happening in my own yard and neighborhood. I tried to include my sense of smell, hearing, and sight to have a full first day of spring experience.

Instagram OutdoorHourChallenge
Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal

Here is your nature journal tip for the month which is taken from an entry I wrote a long time ago entitled, “Drawing and Your Nature Journal”.
If you want your drawing skills to improve, you must practice.
Gulp. That is a tough one for most of us. I did not come from an artistic background so giving myself permission to try to learn to draw or paint or do anything artistic took a big shove from my husband. He encouraged me take a drawing class at the college. This was so far out of my comfort zone but I really wanted to learn how to draw past stick figures. It took time and effort. My suggestion for people who are striving to do a better job in sketching is to go to your library and go to the children’s section first and check out “how to draw” books and use them alongside your children. I checked one out on how to draw insects and one on how to draw birds and then found some nature sketching books to try. These experiences with the book open in front of you and your sketching from the step by step instructions will eventually spill over into your nature journal.
There is no magic formula but your success is equal to the effort you are willing to put into it.

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Nature Journal Examples – February Pages

Weekly Nature Journal Project 2017
Month of February

I know that I set the bar rather high when I decided to create a nature journal page every week as part of my nature goals for 2017. I have never attempted anything like this before except for my monthly nature journal project and that was a stretch. Imagine how surprised I am that carving out the time and energy to make a weekly entry has so far, not been too much!

I find that I am thinking about what kind of page I want to create as I go about my outdoor time…looking for meaningful ideas that bring joy not only to the process but in the finished product. I am still journaling inside and not in the fresh air because of the weather,  but I am hoping soon to be able to pack up my supplies and hit the trail for some en plein air journaling.

I hope that my pages inspire and encourage you this month.

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February is always a month of counting birds not only for Project Feederwatch but for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I always love a good list so it is no surprise that one of my pages is a list of February birds. I also included a comparison of the crow and raven for my own self education. I many times see one or the other flying in my neighborhood and this research will help cement the field marks to look for in identifying one or the other.
violet nature journal page
My backyard has a violet patch of every increasing size. They seem to pop up in the funniest places, even in the back lawn. When the air is warm, their scent is heavy and sweet. I was reading online about violets and came across an interesting tidbit that explains something fascinating about the violet’s fragrance. I thought it was worthy of a journal page.

Sequoia nature journal page

I created another backyard inspired page that features our sequoia tree. It really started with finding a sequoia cone on my back deck that prompted me to do a little research about the cones and seeds. Taking time to carefully observe something like the cone, led me to learn so much more about something that I see every day and can become commonplace. A sequoia should be anything but commonplace with its amazing size and resilience.

February nature journal monthly recap
I have a fondness for monthly recap sorts of pages in my journal where I can note little items of interest that come up during the month. It gives me a place to practice my doodling as well.
Instagram OutdoorHourChallenge small
Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal

Need some help getting started with your own journal?

I shared awhile back some tips for moms who wanted to get started with their own nature journals, but felt they didn’t have the necessary skills. Listed below are three points I wanted to share again in the hope that they will encourage you to get started this month with your nature journal.

1. Keep it simple and don’t be afraid to get started.
A blank page can intimidate even the most seasoned journal-keeper. Work through your fear of failure by starting small and keeping it simple. Be a good role model. If you have children and you are encouraging them to keep a nature journal, you can empathize with their feelings of inadequacy. Be brave and your children will look to your example and be more confident about their own journals.
2. Use a variety of ideas…find something that works for you.
You are not required to sketch. Try something else. Keep a list, include a photo, copy a poem or some facts…just get started. Don’t wait. You may someday feel like sketching or water coloring in your journal but it’s not a requirement. There are no rules for nature journals. Use color and a few well-placed decorations to make your journal more personalized if you feel inclined.
3. A journal can be a private place of joy.
Remind yourself that your journal is a personal keepsake and a record of your thoughts and experiences. You do not need to share it with anyone…in real life or on the internet. If it makes you happy, that is all that counts.

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Once a Month Nature Journal – Arrows

Once a Month Nature Journal Project Use an Arrow @handbookofnaturestudy

Once a Month Journal Project – February 2016

Use an arrow in your nature journal!

Sometimes using a simple thing like an arrow on a nature journal page pumps up the interest factor and helps create a focus. I hope this entry will help you see how using an arrow feature on your page is a simple but effective tool for your family.

Nature Journal Page Ideas – Arrows!

  • Draw attention to a point of interest on the page.
  • Use the arrow to highlight something in the sketch.
  • Arrows can show distance and size.

Don’t miss this! I have created a Pinterest Board for journal page examples. I will label each entry with the prompt that describes it best for future reference.

If you would like to contribute to the board, you will need to follow this Pinterest Board and then leave me a comment letting me know you want to be added. Important: If you contribute to the board, you need to include in your description the prompt it is featuring.

Sample: Our The Window Nature Journal

If you don’t include a description using one of the monthly journal prompts, I may remove it. This is not a board to post general nature journal pages. It is strictly for pages created using one of the twelve monthly prompts as part of this project.

Please note that you are not committed to make a journal each month…participate as you can and share your results to encourage others.
Once a Month Nature Journal Project @handbookofnaturestudy

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Nature Study Recap For 2015 – Favorites, Projects, and More

As the end of the year draws nearer, I am thinking about and wrapping up my nature study goals for 2015.

Nature Study Goals 2015 @handbookofnaturestudy

2015 was a year of change and of upheaval in our family…I am not all that great at handling changes so having some nature study goals and a plan to keep myself from ignoring the restorative power of being outside was a huge blessing. I need to balance my life with not only thinking about nature but actually getting out into it on a regular basis. It grounds me. It comforts me. It keeps my mind more positive….the quiet time for prayer and meditation under the sky is one of the best ways I know to keep putting one foot in front of the other when you face challenges in life.

Goals Update

1. Yosemite Photo Project: As I determined in the third quarter, this photo project was just not going to happen in 2015. I’m not sure why I had such a hard time with getting going but I’m pretty sure it had to do with lack of planning. I have a spring trip to Yosemite on the books and reservations made so perhaps I will get my act together before then to actually accomplish this goal in 2016.

Sunset Beach State Park California @handbookofnaturestudy

2. Visit one new state park: Accomplished this one!!! Sugar Pine Point State Park . We also visited Sunset Beach State Park last month with our boys. What a glorious place to beach walk!

3. Visit one new national park: Accomplished during the second quarter – Zion National Park.   PLUS Pinnacles National Park too!!!

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

4. Visit a bird refuge:  We actually visited the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey back in October. I will be posting a complete entry about it soon!

5. Take one new hike: We did a lot of hiking this year but none from the local hiking guidebook that I purchased last year. I realized this also didn’t happen because I had no clear plan…the spot in my planner is blank still. Lesson learned.

6. Read ten nature-related books this year:  I accomplished this goal with flying colors! I enjoyed having the books chosen ahead of time and I have already started to compile my list for 2016 which I will be sharing soon!

7. Rock project: None added in 2016. I either don’t like rocks as much as I thought or I can’t convince myself that I want to pursue this goal. But, one of my books for 2016 is on rockhounding and it has specific places that we can visit to collect rocks for our collection. I am excited about this goal again!

8. Create one nature journal entry each month: Yes! Using the Once a Month Nature Journal ideas, I have been able to create at least one page a month.

You might like to read the Planning Nature Study for the Year post from last month for some ideas to get you started.

Planning a Year of Nature Study @handbookofnaturestudy

 Here are some of my favorite entries from the year if you haven’t seen them already.

Tahoe Emerald bay July 2015 (2)

Summer Days Filled With Goodness: I loved this hike that my husband and I took back in July. Keeping a blog helps keep those memories alive and I love sharing them with all of you readers.

Kent Falls CT

Outdoor Mom’s Journal – November: This was an entry all about our trip to the East Coast with our kids…highlight for our year!

View from trail patriarchs zionZion National Park: This was a fantastic road trip to Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks! Wish I could do it again right now!

 So that ends another year of nature study…now to create goals for 2016! Reflecting on my circumstances in life may alter the goals on the list but I will make the goals and see what happens. I invite you to join me in 2016 with your own list that helps your family get outdoors together and learn more about the plants and animals that share your world.

There is always something new to learn!

Use the discount code NATURE5 to receive $5 off any membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study.

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The California Hop Tree

 

California Hoptree Nature Study

Every now and then I remember that I have a particular plant or tree to research and the California hoptree is one such subject (Ptelea crenulata). I hike past it with great regularity and note its stages of development through the cycle of the seasons. But, even with its interesting circular fruits, I often fail to take a photo and look up more information on this plant.

In researching the hoptree, I found that it is a member of the citrus family (Rutaceae) which is distinguished by its aromatic gland-dotted leaves. The hoptree that we have alongside our canyon trail is more like a shrub and my field guide says it can be from 6 ft to 16 feet in height. I would estimate that our tree is about 6-8 feet tall and almost completely surrounded by blackberry vines which makes it hard to determine where the hoptree ends and the vines begin.

Hop Tree Photo Nature Journal

The California hoptree became the topic of my Once a Month Nature Journal Project for January. I used one current photo and one from my archives showing the features of my winter observations. I pulled out my field guides and looked online for information to include on my page. Creating a simple journal page pulls all the information together both on the page and in my mind. Next time I hike past this tree I will slow down to take note of its identifying features and anticipate its blossoms come springtime.

Have you created your nature journal page yet this month?