Naturalist Journal- 2nd Quarter – Winter due:

Chapter page- WINTER (seasonal photo or sketch)

VA State Organisms

The Cardinal is the state bird. Did you know there was a state insect?

The symbols are officially recognized and created by an act of theVirginia General Assemblyand signed into law by the governor. You need to research to find the official state: flower, tree, bird, dog breed, freshwater fish, insect, saltwater fish, shell, bat and fossil.

Find a photo from the internet, or if you are a gifted artist make a realistic and detailed sketch. Under each picture, label it (for example, Virginia State Flower) and write the common name and scientific name.

Interestingly, Virginia is the only state to have the same plant for state flower and state tree. Draw an arrow to the flowers in your picture of the state flower- be sure you know which are the flowers and which are just modified white leaves! You will need a close up picture for this!

Deciduous Trees

Locate 2 different species of deciduous trees that are easily observed together. The branches and bark can be easily observed without the distraction of leaves this time of year.

Compare the bark. Do the trees look the same? Are there lichens on the trunk? Observe the color(s) and texture. Take a photo, up close, or the bark of each tree. Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the two.(at least 100 words).

Compare the branches. Take full-length photos of each tree and mount them side by side on the next page of your journal (cutting pictures if necessary). Do the trees look the same? Compare their height, branch angles, crown, etc. Write a paragraph below the pictures comparing their appearance. This paragraph must also be at least 100 words.

Anatomy of a Branch

Select a tree with low branches (can easily reach) and select one for observation. You should see several features on the winter branch. Sketch (actual size) a 10 cm length of the branch from the outer most tip and measure 10 cm back towards the trunk of the tree. Also, take a photo (close up with the branch isolated, easy to see parts as sketched) and mount it in your journal under your sketch. See diagrams posted on my webpage to help with winter branch parts.

Label these parts on your sketch:

Terminal bud

Axillary bud

Foliage leaf scar

Bud scale scar

Write these 4 terms and their definitions in your journal.

My Home - do this after Dec 15th!

Take another color photo of your home from the same spot as previous. Record the date and weather underneath. The photo must be taken from the same spot as your first photo so you can easily compare them for a later assignment.

Winter Observations- more points this time- do a better job observing!!

The weather is colder but living things still surround you. As you did in the fall, you will observe nature by using all your senses. Sit outside, alone, and still at the same or as close to the spot you sat for the fall observations. Sit for 15 minutes in silence (no talking, no music, etc…) and listen to the sounds of nature. Note the date, time of day, weather and temperature ( F and C) in your journal. Set up a table to record your observations. Make notes of all the colors in the living things that surround you. Do you notice any smells? Do you see any animals or evidence that animals have been there? Think about all your senses and take in your surroundings. If you are going to jot down that you saw birds, be descriptive. What color were they? Where were they? Describe their sounds. Try to filter out any man-made sounds (cars, noisy neighbors, etc.)

After you have spent your quiet time with nature, compose an essay or poem to record your experience. This essay or poem will use the observations you made! How are things different from what you observed in the fall? Poems must be at least 150 words in length (if doing haiku- then do more than one to get to 150 wordsJ). Essays must be at least 250 words. Write neatly and use a ruler if need to keep your writing fairly straight or type it out and paste it into your journal.