Posted in alaska, nature study on Apr 26th, 2011 6 Comments »
The kids have been fascinated with a pair of young trumpeter swans that recently showed up on the lake in town. Such large birds and so beautiful! Little JackJack, a true animal lover, has particularly been mesmerized by them. So to feed their interests we have been to the library and checked out as much [...]
Posted in art, nature study on Nov 16th, 2010 8 Comments »
This week we studied John James Audubon and had birds in our brains! Happily, we get to combine art and nature study this week and sketch and paint some of our fine feathered friends. Since we have studied good old John James before, and even viewed some of his (gorgeous) originals in the Audubon House [...]
Posted in Curriculum or Lack Thereof..., high school, nature study on Aug 1st, 2010 21 Comments »
You know, nature study is the one subject we have done really consistently for many years. It’s probably what we do best. Heck, the kids can pick up a field guide and identify an insect or wildflower before they can read. Their nature journals are stuffed full of bird sketches, tree rubbings, pressed flowers, mushroom [...]
Posted in alaska, nature study on Jul 4th, 2010 8 Comments »
Happy Independence Day! It’s an amazing country we live in… Now get out there and explore it!
Posted in Curriculum or Lack Thereof..., JBug, nature study on Jun 28th, 2010 6 Comments »
So, here are all the details of my plans for JBug’s nature study for next year (she will also be doing earth science, but that is another subject). We will be doing it Charlotte Mason style, outdoors with our nature journals and field guides whenever possible, but I have planned a full plate of fabulous [...]
Posted in alaska, Catholicism, JBug, nature study on May 14th, 2010 13 Comments »
Just a brief note to let everyone know I am still alive and kickin’! Just been incredibly busy and absorbed in real life. It happens, you know. The weather has been getting better and better and we’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors. Enjoying the interesting spring wildflowers… This is Western skunk cabbage (Lysichiton [...]
Posted in nature study on Apr 17th, 2010 9 Comments »
You know it’s spring when little hands start bringing in the first of many sweet dandelion bouquets. We are taking advantage of the bounty by doing a guided nature study on these misunderstood golden treasures. Usually we just enjoy nature informally, but every once in awhile I like to do something a little more formal [...]
Posted in alaska, Catholicism, nature study, volunteering on Apr 3rd, 2010 10 Comments »
Today the Alaska Raptor Rehab Center was able to release 4 rehabilitated Bald Eagles into the wild. And here is a video Ed took of me having the great honor of releasing one of those Bald Eagles! (I am the one holding the huge bird, btw.) So breathtaking to see these birds take off, soaring [...]
Posted in alaska, nature study on Apr 1st, 2010 9 Comments »
Herring!!! This is the time of year when huge schools of herring come pouring in to these waters for spawning. And with the herring come a whole host of critters just waiting to cash in on the bounty, including… Sea lions!!!! I’ve seen a whole bunch of them lately swimming about in front of the [...]
Posted in alaska, nature study on Mar 24th, 2010 5 Comments »
A walk in the park… Wanna help me id this guy? C’mon all you birders, help me out! He was smaller than a red tail, but larger than a peregrine falcon, if that helps at all. Out of the woods and down to the shore…. Lemon nudibranch And this nasty looking fellow… is a sea [...]
