Our Nature BasketWhen the temperatures are bitter and the snow too deep to slog through, how do you keep up with nature study? Our family gets through the worst days of winter by exploring our collection of natural objects. I like to bring out a Nature Basket filled with natural items of varying shape and texture. Coming up with a novel and interesting mixture is part of the fun. Sometimes I cover the basket with fabric to add an element of surprise to the beginning of our exploration. Over the years I've collected non-perishable, specimens such as bracket fungi, seed pods, wasp's nests, lichen, nuts, milkweed pods, goldenrod galls, sensitive fern fronds, pine cones, and wood with carved beetle galleries.
Most of these items were taken only when they had fallen from the plant or were abandoned after a season of use. Be aware that it is technically illegal to collect bird nests, eggs, or feathers. These laws came about at a time when people were routinely shooting birds to put their feathers on hats, collecting living eggs, and disrupting nesting birds by stealing their nests. As these activities are no longer fashionable, the laws seem ridiculous when applied to, say, collecting a abandoned bird's nest that has fallen on the ground or a molted feather, but they are still on the books. Enjoy your bird related specimens outdoors! There are plenty of perfectly legal plant and insect materials to investigate inside.
One of the most interesting lines of investigation is to compare and contrast similar items. Seed pods are incredibly variable as are wasp's nests. You may also find that some dried seed pods make excellent instruments when the seeds are rattled around inside. Look for evidence of insect damage. Smell the items (if you are asthma free). Open some of the seed pods and compare the seeds.
Taken out of context, natural objects can be appreciated as forms of art. Comment on their subtle colors, patterns, and shapes. Get out the markers and watercolors and try your hand at natural history illustration. Savor the time to look closely.
Most of these items were taken only when they had fallen from the plant or were abandoned after a season of use. Be aware that it is technically illegal to collect bird nests, eggs, or feathers. These laws came about at a time when people were routinely shooting birds to put their feathers on hats, collecting living eggs, and disrupting nesting birds by stealing their nests. As these activities are no longer fashionable, the laws seem ridiculous when applied to, say, collecting a abandoned bird's nest that has fallen on the ground or a molted feather, but they are still on the books. Enjoy your bird related specimens outdoors! There are plenty of perfectly legal plant and insect materials to investigate inside.
One of the most interesting lines of investigation is to compare and contrast similar items. Seed pods are incredibly variable as are wasp's nests. You may also find that some dried seed pods make excellent instruments when the seeds are rattled around inside. Look for evidence of insect damage. Smell the items (if you are asthma free). Open some of the seed pods and compare the seeds.
Taken out of context, natural objects can be appreciated as forms of art. Comment on their subtle colors, patterns, and shapes. Get out the markers and watercolors and try your hand at natural history illustration. Savor the time to look closely.
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