The Magnifying Glass

A Nature Exchange Book List.

All of us here at TMG are very excited to have so many families signing up for the nature exchange!  It should be really fun and interesting, and I thought that I might share a few useful books to help you get started finding and identifying some of the natural treasures in your neck of the woods.  Here are a few favorite titles that you might find helpful!

 

Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier

 

 

The Tree Book by Gina Ingoglia

 

 

My First Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals by National Geographic

 

 

My First Pocket Guide to Wildflowers by National Geographic

 

These are just a few titles among many that could be great resources for the exchange.  Does your family have any favorites you'd like to share? 

 

--- Annie

On the Shelf: Dinothesaurus.

We are having a spell of pretty hot (and more importantly, humid) weather here in Vermont, and spending a little bit of time indoors with a book in the afternoon is turning out to be a pretty pleasant choice as far as activities go.  In preparation for the coming days of hot, we decided to make a library stop this morning. Among the books we picked up is Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian, and I am so glad that we did.  

For reasons that I cannot quite explain, I totally associate dinosaurs with summer.  Maybe because we often make museum trips during summer vacation?  It's hard to say, but somehow, a dinosaur book seemed to be a perfect seasonal choice today.  Plus, Dinothesaurus is a unique book about dinosaurs which makes it feel like kind of a special find.  A collection of poetry, paintings and dinosaur facts, Dinothesaurus has a little something for everyone.  Some of the poems are funny, others are factual, but all of them are sure to sound catchy to miniature dinosaur enthusiasts.  I particularly like the somewhat abstract artwork; it makes each page interesting to browse as well as to read.  

Upon further investigation, I realize that Douglas Florian has written and illustrated a number of thematic poetry books for children. We'll definitely be looking for them at the library on our next trip.  

What about you?  What sorts of books is your family reading on days when you need to spend a little quiet time indoors? 

A Favorite Book (and a Little Science Too).

Hello TMG friends!  It has been a busy spring at our house, and I haven't been able to pop in here quite as much as I would have liked.  But summer vacation is only days away, and I plan to be back with you to share book reviews and maybe a few projects too.  To get into the spirit of things, I wanted to direct you to a guest post that I have up on The Crafty Crow right now; a review of a favorite book of ours (and of fellow TMG contributor Lucia's too, if I'm not mistaken) as well as an easy but interesting little science project.  Pop on over there to check out the review and to get instructions for making a simple compass.

--- Annie

What's On Your List?

I am on the hunt for some good reading/listening/watching recommendations! The hunt started with preparations for an upcoming trip, but it is also spurred on by my realization that summer is right around the corner. And although it has been many years since I was a student, I still love having a summer reading list. So here is my list of things I hope to read/watch/listen to in the next few months followed by a list of a few my favorites that you might want to add to your list. It's a random compilation of things related to the natural world, gardening,educating,pondering, and just enjoying. 

 
My Summer List (so far...please, help me add to it!): 

The Curious World of Bugs

Prodigal Summer

The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie

Founding Gardeners

Race to Nowhere

The Secret of Kells

Running the Sahara

A Few Of My favorites:

Extreme Nature

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Remarkable Creatures

Gift from the Sea

Winged Migration

Rivers and Tides

Fresh Air Interviews: Wicked Bugs, Under the Sea, Dung Beetles

So, what's on your list for this summer? And what should I add to mine?

---Lucia

Proof

Spring arrived, and Delilah spotted new nests every day. She discovered them in tree branches and corners under the porch cover. She even found one in the hold of the barn wall. The birds crafted their nests from bits of twigs, dead grass, corn husks, and Delilah’s hair. She loved seeing her red strands woven in with all the other textures. She always believed she was a part of nature. This was proof of it (p.6).

 

From The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt

Pale Male: Revisited.

 

    I had originally planned to share a new book with you this week, but I got a little sidetracked by a delightful discovery.

     I don't know how many of you remember my review of Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City from last spring, but suffice it to say, it is a big favorite around our house.  So, of course, we were more than excited to discover that the Urban Hawks blog has been closely following the movements and activities of the Pale Male as he goes about his springtime business in New York.  

    The blog is also following a number of other hawks in the area, and there are some really great pictures of all of them.  It's especially fun to see real pictures of the bird that has become such a mythical character in our house; Mariam has been very interested in the fate of Pale Male since first hearing his story and was pretty much beside herself at the idea that she could see things like recent pictures and video.  So, a few links:

- The New York Times has a live-stream camera set up where you can view the nesting (and now egg-sitting) activities of a pair of hawks who have taken up residence atop the library at NYU.

- The Urban Hawks blog is here.  A word of caution for those of you with younger children: many of the activities photographed in recent days have been very, um, spring-like.  Depending on what your little people know about how animals make other animals, you might want to specifically pick the eating and flying posts to share. 

- Speaking of eating, here is a post showing Pale Male having a meal.  There is a video as well as some good close-up shots that show what the bird really looks like. 

 

--- Annie

 

Bookmaking with Children: Nature Journal with Twig Binding.

Those of you who occasionally wander over to my own internet living room might be aware that I often post bookmaking tutorials there.  When we decided on nature journaling as our TMG theme for this week, I realized that it made for the perfect opportunity to indulge my enthusiasm for all things book by sharing a favorite bookmaking project with you all!

This nature journal is incredibly basic and easy to put together.  I first learned a variation of this project at a teaching conference some years ago, and I definitely remember being impressed with how quickly it came together.  The aesthetically-minded may find the twig and rubberband binding technique to be somewhat lacking in the style department, but I assure you that it serves an important purpose.  Using the rubberband rather than something more permanent, such as stitching or adhesive, means that the journal can be easily taken apart to add new pages any time that you need to.  This is a really handy feature in a nature journal, I think.  This is particularly true if your kiddos enjoy pasting things to the pages and fill up their space quickly.  

Here we go!

Nature Journal with Twig Binding

What you will need:

heavy weight paper or card stock for the cover

paper for inside pages

a twig

a rubberband 

holepunch

ruler

pencil

 

What you will do: 

 

Cut your paper and card stock to the desired size.  I cut an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of card stock in two, ending up with two pieces each 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.  Cut your inside pages to the same size as the cover sheets.  How many pages to include in your book is absolutely up to you.  I think we started with about twenty here.  

 

Make two marks on each cover piece for holepunching, one towards the top and the other towards the bottom.  I made marks 1/2 inch in from the vertical edge and 1 inch in from each horizontal edge.  

 

Punch a single hole at each of your marks so that you now have a hole towards the top of each cover piece and one towards the bottom.  Punch holes in corresponding locations on your inside page pieces.

 

 

Find a small stick or twig that is approximately the same length as the vertical edge of your journal cover. Stack your cover and inside pages in the order that you want them in for the finished journal, carefully lining up the holes.

 

 

Loop one end of your rubberband around the twig and pull the other end through the hole at the top of the journal. 

 

 

Turn the journal over and pull the rubberband down the backside of the journal, bringing the free end of it through the bottom hole and back to the front of the journal.

 

Wrap the free end of the rubberband around the bottom end of the twig, effectively attaching the twig to the front of the journal and binding the edge of the book closed. 

 

 

And that's it!  We decorated the cover of our journal with stamps and cut-out paper leaves.  You might also think about adding an envelope to the inside cover for stashing treasures in when out and about. You can download a template for a tiny envelope that will fit nicely inside the journal by clicking the link below:

envelope template

Happy journaling!

--- Annie

Nature Journals

He wrote about things he had done, things he had seen, and thoughts he had had. Sometimes he drew a picture. He always ended by asking himself a question so he would have something to think about while falling asleep. On the day he found the swan's nest, this is what Sam wrote in his diary:

        I saw a pair of trumpeter swans today on a small pond east of camp. The female has a nest with eggs in it. The female has a nest with eggs in it. I saw three, but I am going to put four in the picture---I think she was laying another one. This is the greatest discovery I ever made in my entire life. I did not tell Pop. My bird book says baby swans are called cygnets. I am going back tomorrow to visit the great swans again. I heard a fox bark today. Why does a fox bark? Is it because he is mad, or worried, or hungry, or because he is sending a message to another fox? Why does a fox bark?

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (p.5)  

I am currently reading The Trumpet of the Swan with my kids. Each night they snuggle next to me and we are transported to a world with a gentle boy named Sam and an amazing swan named Louis. I love all of E.B. White's books, but this one is especially dear to my heart with the exquisite descriptions of the natural world though the eyes of a boy and a swan. I am convinced that E.B. White must have had quite a collection of his own nature journals or at least spent hours observing creatures in order to bring them to life so beautifully.

Observations

Sam's swan observations remind me of one of my most treasured moments with my son at a small park in Jacksonville, Florida. We were the only ones there that day and Noah stopped playing when he noticed a large wood stork walking along the near-by creek. I stayed right where I was, but Noah slowly crept towards the water to get a better view. As he got closer, he dropped to his knees and eventually all the way down to the ground as he inched forward. I was in awe of how close he was able to get that enormous bird. And Noah stayed on his belly watching the bird for quite awhile until the bird flew further down the creek.

When Noah returned to the playground, he was bursting with observations, especially the exciting information he had to share about how wood storks urinate: " I saw him peeing. He didn't pee in a line. His pee was one little drop then another". You don't find those details in the typical field guide or bird book and I never thought I would be  so moved by a description of a wood stork peeing, but I was. It really was a magical moment for both of us and as soon as we got home Noah recorded it in his sketchbook.

I would love to say that our family is dedicated to keeping a precise and consistent journal filled with our observations, drawings, and questions about the natural world. But the reality is that we aren't. I almost always have a sketchbook and some colored pencils in the car, but that doesn't mean they get used every time we go for a hike. I'd say we are more sporadic, wanna be nature journalists. I say "wanna-be" because I really do want to be one of those people who always has a notebook handy and filled with dates and observations for future consultation. I yearn to fill pages with detailed drawings and descriptions to capture both magical moments and the more mundane.

Inspirations

Sam's journal entries in The Trumpet of the Swan have motivated me to make nature journaling more of a daily habit than an occasional event. I began my quest with a Flickr search which not only provided lots of inspiration, but also highlighted the diversity of "journals". Like this wonderful box of index cards which Leslie started several years ago:

"I started the journal in 2008.  I keep the same box and same cards (365 cards with month index dividers)year after year, and the note cards just get added to, on a new line for each year on a specific card for that day when I have something to journal, that way I can see trends."

You can read more about Leslie's nature journal at her blog, Sew Inspiring.

Take a look at the fabulous nature journals Stefani's boys produce. Drawings, observations, photographs....it is all so good and inspiring. Read more details about how their journals have evolved at Blue Yonder Ranch.

 And finally have a peek at what Jimmie and her daughter did one day: a nature sit. What a great way to focus in on tiny details no matter where you are in the world.  I love how both of their observations and drawings are included in this post about the day they chose to study a small patch of grass. It is this very process of stopping to examine and peer into the minutia that pushes me to make a more serious effort at keeping at nature journal.

My desire to learn more about nature journaling deepened when I happened upon this recent Rythme of the Home article about one family's phenology log. And yesterday I heard about the newest twist in nature journaling: iNaturalist which recently launched an i-phone app. In addition to internet research, I have also turned to a naturalist who has been keeping nature journals for over twenty years. Stay tuned for that interview later in the week.

But now, I would like to turn to each of you for help in my quest. Please share how your family keeps track of your observations and experiences in nature. And please, please add photos of your journals and drawings to The Magnifying Glass Group on Flickr.

So here are my questions for you:

Do you have a nature journal?

If so, how is it organized (file box, calendar, blank sketchbook)?

How often do you add entries to the journal?

---Lucia

Turkey Vultures, Roadrunners, and Hummingbirds: An Interview with Kimberly Hosey

 
Kimberly Hosey's images are hard to get out of your head. She creates them with words and photographs on her blog, Arizona Writer,her flickr page, and in her published work. Those vivid images lodge themselves in your head and prompt you to pause, stare, laugh, gulp, and wonder how she did it. As a writer, photographer, nature nut, wife and mother of David (age 9), Kim somehow juggles it all with quick wit and grace.

When I found out about Bird Week on The Magnifying Glass, Kimberly came to mind. I knew I wanted to highlight her bird photographs, but to be honest, I also wanted to pick her brain and try to learn a bit from her. One of my big frustrations in life is that, although I frequently have a camera around my neck, I rarely have any success in getting photos of birds.  Kim kindly agreed to an interview and in addition to generously sharing her photo tips, Kim shares her favorite birds and thoughts on kids and nature. Please join me in welcoming Kim to The Magnifying Glass.

Welcome to The Magnifying Glass, Kim! Your photographs are stunning, especially the wildlife shots. How did you get started? Do you have any special tips? What sort of camera/camera gear do you use?

Thank you! I only lately have considered myself a photographer. As recently as my son's early years, I didn't even own a camera and had taken about five photographs ever. I finally was given a cheap point-and-shoot in 2003 and it kind of took off from there. I wanted to share the things I was seeing and experiencing. Seeing -- watching, studying, spending time with something -- is really my best tip. In some ways, I've learned more about wildlife in my few years of photography than in all my previous years of study. It's because it takes the same skills to learn about an animal as it does to take a good wildlife photograph: Be still, stick around for a long time, and pay attention.

Beyond that? Get down to the subject's level. Take tons and tons and tons of shots. Shoot just after sunrise and before and leading into sunset. But mostly, just stick around and watch. I'd been propped against a tree trunk for thirty-five mintues before I got my favorite hummingbird shot, and it was SO worth it.

I don't have very fancy gear. My regular gear consists of a Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP digital SLR camera, the kit lens it came with, a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III telephoto lens, and the very occasional gear that I beg, borrow, or rent. About 99 percent of my photos are taken with one of these two lenses. You can do wonders with what you've got, if you make it work for you. That said, I'd dearly love a heavy-duty telephoto or macro lens.

 

In honor of Bird Week at the Magnifying Glass, can you please tell us which birds have recently been visiting your back yard in Arizona? And are you planning on taking part in the Great Back Yard Bird Count?

We've been inundated with hummingbirds! For the past two years now we've had Anna's hummingbirds nesting in our backyard tree, and we've been able to watch the courtship and nesting and, later, watch the young grow each day. They're feisty little birds.

We've also hosted a roadrunner, several red-tailed hawks, mourning doves, white-winged doves, finches, and sparrows. We don't have to travel far to see countless other species. My mom's yard has Gambel's quail and curve-billed thrashers, the park has huge flocks of yellow-headed blackbirds, and the nearby Gilbert Riparian Preserve hosts close to 200 bird species.

I do plan to take part in the Great Back Yard Bird Count this week, and my son wants to participate as well. As if we needed an excuse to go bird watching.

 

 Do you have a favorite bird? Does your son, David, have a favorite bird?

That's a hard one. I particularly love turkey vultures; I'm fascinated with their grace and how they can make utility out of waste, beauty out of garbage. Also, I could spend an entire day just watching the red-tailed hawks and listening to their calls. The rarer sightings are exciting too -- a friend once found me on a hiking trail and dragged me a mile out of the way to see an elf owl. I got to see a broad-billed/violet-crowned hybrid hummingbird at Boyce Thompson Arboetum; that was really exciting.

My son's almost as indecisive. I asked him, and here's his answer: "Oooh. I don't know ..." (silent deliberation for at least five minutes) ... "Maybe a cardinal. They're at the top of my list. Burrowing owls are really neat too. And roadrunners! Put that one for sure. Tell them that a roadrunner let me stand really close."

 

 I first became familiar with your work through your Kids and Nature Flickr group. What prompted you to start that group?

For my master's thesis in writing, I was writing a manuscript on children and nature, using my own experiences with my son as a reference point. I began to share some experiences online. While I found many, many kindred spirits, I also found a moderate contingent of people who would scoff at all but the most postcard-worthy, touristy nature experiences. For example, when my son investigated a snake or held an insect, these people were (and still are, if my e-mails are any indication) horrified. How could I MAKE him do such a thing?

I had to believe that this was the minority opinion, and I started the Flickr group as a way to collect photos from around the world of kids interacting with nature. It's fabulous. Exploration comes naturally to kids. Adults forget; we tend to either ignore nature or demand what it can do for us. Kids just watch. Touch. They love it for what it is. Adults teach a lot, of course -- my son's learned which animals not to touch, for sure -- but we could learn a lot from children.

 

As the proud mama of nature-loving boy, do you have any advice on how to nurture childrens' interests in the natural world?

Join them! That's the biggest one. Nature walks, hikes, photography, and just being outside have been behind every best experience my son, my husband, and I have ever shared. It doesn't always even matter where you go. We pulled off the side of the road one day and found a hidden waterfall after a heavy rain. Just go outside.

Obviously, if you've got an enthusiastic kid who's going to be around animals, make sure they're also knowledgeable and careful. In Arizona, that means knowing which animals are dangerous and how to identify them (black widow spiders, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, and a few others), and how to behave around any animal, dangerous or not. I always emphasize knowledge and caution, but never fear. He's not afraid of a single animal, but he'll never put himself in unnecessary danger. The same caution goes for outdoor wisdom about hiking, injuries, dehydration, and the like. He's not a Boy Scout, but he's definitely prepared.

Encourage, but don't force it. I can rhapsodize all day long about the hawk overhead, but if my son would rather watch the geese on the ground, I've learned it's best to let him. On one trip to the lake, I tried to get him out of the water to watch a heron. He stubbornly remained in the water, not defiant, just matter-of-fact. In five minutes, water birds were swimming around his submerged shoulders, and bats were swooping within inches of his head. He was overjoyed. Kids know how to appreciate the natural world. We just have to get them there.

 

Can you please share a few of your favorite nature-related posts from your blog?

I wrote a little while ago in praise of turkey vultures with some gorgeous pictures of my favorite turkey vulture. (Doesn't everyone have a favorite turkey vulture?) I really think they're beautiful, seldom-understood birds.

Lately, I've been on a black widow spiders kick. I'm fascinated by them. I discuss my fascination and our project to raise black widow spiderlings, and I cover them a bit here as well; but if you'd like to see a slightly less mature (but funnier) black widow incident, check out the night I wore a hundred black widows. I'm not immune to nature-related misadventures and freak-outs. I just try my best to respect all life.

 

Kim, Thank you for the photo advice, your beautiful images, and your witty words. We'll be eager to see what happens with your Black Widow project.  Happy Bird Week to you and your family in Arizona!

Kim blogs about parenting, nature and more at Arizona Writer. Check out her Flickr stream here. Visit or join the Flickr group "Kids and Nature" here.

---Lucia

Favorite Books for Wintry Weather.

I generally try to have enough creative brainpower to write totally unique posts for my own blog and this lovely page here.  However, I have decided that this time of year is completely crazy enough to make a bit of cross-posting a-okay.  So, click on over to Bird and Little Bird to see my list of favorite books to share with your little ones as the first snow falls.  Or, if you live somewhere warm and relatively sunny, you can just read them in honor of the rest of us as we dig ourselves out with snow shovels and rock salt.