This week we'll focus on diving deeper into the world of plants and animals living right in our nature neighborhoods! We'll want to use our nature notebooks to take observations, a backyard map to help us orient, and our imagination to turn into some of the critters we see.
Spider Science
The spiders are out and active in New Hampshire, I even have one building a web in my bug trap! Let's take a walk to look for spider webs, learn a bit more about these critters, and try a fun spider activity or two.
When you sketch your spider in your nature notebook, try using this fantastic guide from John Muir Laws.
Photo sourced from John Muir Laws.
Backyard Bear
We spotted a black bear in our backyard! Let's use this awesome visit to inspire some play, learn about bears, and take a nature adventure to search for signs of bear.
Maybe read (or listen to) the book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen and try a bear hunt in your own backyard!
Flutter By, Butterfly!
Butterflies and moths are back! Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths) are some of my favorite insects. Let's explore their natural history, search for some in my yard, and then set up a light trap for more evening adventures!
What Plant is That?
Let's use some of our extra time to get to know the plants living and growing in our yards! We'll explore our yards, add to our backyard maps, and label plants as we go.
You may want to use the website and application iNaturalist to help identify plants if you don't have a field guide at home.