How We Do Nature Studies

We LOOOOOOOVE studying nature. It's one of our absolute favorite things to do and we do it as a family.

Here is how WE do nature studies.

We go to a lot of different places:

Our yard

Botanical Gardens

Parks

Nature Centers

Creeks

Ponds

Rivers

Beach

Petting Zoos

Regular Zoos



And we take A LOT of pictures!!!







Cailey found a caterpillar at a local park. She wanted to take it home and see what would happen.

First, we took some leaves from the tree where we found it.

When we got home we realized we had one of that same tree in our yard! YAY!!

Then we put the caterpillar in the bug catcher with the leaves and a few drops of water.

Next we waited.

After 2 days it started making it's cocoon!! (Yes, cocoon, not chrysalis.)

Then we waited some more.

After what felt like FOREVER, a tent moth finally appeared!!!











These  were all found in our yard when we lived in Virginia.













These pictures were taken at 4 different parks in the Richmond area.









These were taken at a botanical garden in the Richmond area. Botanical gardens are the PERFECT place to observe nature. Plants, bugs, birds, lizards......







These 2 were taken in our yard in Georgia.

One thing about moving, you can learn so much about the different plants and animals in each environment.







This was taken at a WONDERFUL nature center in the Richmond area. We LOOOOOVED that place. They had live animals, a nice park, fossils, skulls, bird calls (with pictures of the birds) and a ton of dioramas.



So, HOW do we do nature studies?? We just get out in it. No set topics, no set lessons. No agenda other than seeing what we can see and being outdoors.



We don't do much of it in the winter, though. We usually just observe from the windows... LOL  I can't wait until the temps warm up enough to go exploring!

I guess that sums up exactly what we do. We go exploring. :D