November 3, 2007 - Last Nature Study for a While

We had an excellent nature walk at the botanical gardens last week! It's amazing how things work together! We'd been listening to Burgess Bird Book for Children. (Sprite loved it! She was sad when it ended! I was pleased to tell her that there is also a Burgess Animal Book for Children which I put on her MP3 player for our travels.)

Well, what was the highlight of our nature walk? Birds, of course. We didn't get any photos of them, but we think they are a type of magpie: long tail feathers, black and white patterns, red beak. They were beautiful birds. We stalked them all over the park and had so much fun watching them. I know that this new interest in birds was sparked by the Burgess Bird Book. Living books are great for every subject! Even nature study! (For more living books related to nature see Nature Tales.)

We did record some bird calls, but we're not sure if they were the magpie or not. We're realizing just how little we know about nature. But that's just more motivation for continuing our nature study.

Besides birds, we enjoyed watching the leaves fall. In the quiet of the park, we could even hear them fall to the ground. It was so soothing. We collected some to bring home and make leaf rubbings and crafts.

This was probably our greatest "take home treasure." We immediately realized it was the shed exoskeleton of some insect. Below is her journal page (with image taken from online). It is, in fact, a praying mantis exoskeleton.

We are not in China right now. We're "on the road." I'll blog more about our mystery location later. We're in a major Asian metropolis. Yesterday, DH pointed out some geckos to Sprite. He commented, "This can be our weekly nature walk." We laughed! We were on a busy sidewalk in downtown traffic. But yet, there was a bit of wildlife right beside us. So nature study is really about making and taking opportunities, wherever you live.

You may subscribe to this blog in a reader or by email.

• Post A Comment!

Comments

November 3, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mom2chris

Your nature walk pictures are great. I always love pictures of leaves for some reason. Have a great trip!

• Permanent Link

November 3, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

What an exciting walk y'all had! I don't know if my boys would be still enough or quiet enough to actually LISTEN to the leaves falling though. :-)

Oh and I love that pic of the caterpillar.

Can't wait to hear your mystery location!

• Permanent Link

November 3, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by NatureNotesFromAbove

Oh I just love the clip of the bird calls! And what a cool find the mantis exoskeleton was. Thanks for sharing with us : )
Blessings,
BChsMamaof3

• Permanent Link

November 3, 2007 - Jimmie,

Posted by Juldos

What a wonderful nature walk. I fell in love with birds when we did a unit study our second year of homeschooling. My youngest son enjoys watching and studying the birds almost as much as I do.
Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful time on your travels.
Julie D.
p.s. I so enjoy your daughter's nature drawings.

• Permanent Link

November 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 4sweetums

What a pretty sounding bird. I hope you are enjoying your trip.
Many blessings,
4sweetums

• Permanent Link

November 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by westward

Hi Jimmie,

Would you include this post in the next Charlotte Mason Carnival?? Pretty please. :)

• Permanent Link

November 4, 2007 - Intrigueing!

Posted by deedeeuk

Is this like playing 'Where in the world is Carmen Sandiago'? I loved that show! :o)

• Permanent Link

November 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ldssahm@yahoo.com

What a cool post! I really loved the bird calls - so peaceful. My 2 year old was thrilled to pieces about the leaves and went on and on about them.

I admit to being totally overwhelmed with nature walks. I know they're so wonderful for a child....I just have no idea where to start and admit to being totally creeped out by bugs. Anyone else have this problem?

Anyway, so I just love your blog simply because you make nature walks seem so effortless - and your photography is fabulous. =)

• Permanent Link

November 7, 2007 - Cool insect study!

Posted by genevieve1642

I like the report on the mantis exoskeleton. Very neat pictures of insects. We like to look at different insects too! We caught a praying mantis last week, but my daughter put a lizard in a box with it. In about an hour or so, they were both dead. I believe they were fighting about who would be lunch. Anyway, we didn't get the opportunity to take a picture of it. I wish she hadn't put the lizard in there, she could've studied more of his behavior. Anyway, love your blog and thanks for sharing your adventures!

• Permanent Link

November 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Keri

Beautiful post!
We read Burgess Animal Book.
We are now enjoying the Burgess Seashore Book.

• Permanent Link

November 14, 2007 - p.s.

Posted by Keri

Nominated you for Best Geographical...
Homeschool Blog Awards.

• Permanent Link

November 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

It's amazing at the things you come across when you're out on a nature walk! I think I am more interested sometimes than my girls are!

Leila- Freedom Academy

• Permanent Link

November 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JacciM

"We're realizing just how little we know about nature. But that's just more motivation for continuing our nature study."

I think you are *right on*!! :) I look back on how little I knew five years ago and can't believe how much I've learned! Like you said, though, there is still always so much more to know about. That thirst for knowing is so key! And contagious ;)

Thanks so much for such a great entry to the carnival!

Blessings,
Jacci

• Permanent Link

<- Last Page • Next Page ->