observing nature essay

Photo by Helaine Weide/Getty

Observing nature in your backyard is not dull but radically significant

by Yadvinder Malhi   + BIO

Instead of ‘helicopter science’, we need Gilbert White’s intimate study of nature to understand global environmental change

Like many, I have found solace and refuge in local nature over this year of pandemic and lockdown. When able to escape from Zoom calls and cabin fever, I’ve wandered and exercised in my local floodplain meadow of the Thames. I’ve used books and apps to teach myself new natural history skills, such as identifying birds from their songs, or learning the more obscure local plants. I’ve found comfort and fascination in becoming more aware of this community of beings around me. I have also been able to keep fieldwork going at my university’s ecological research site at Wytham Woods, perched on a hill just outside Oxford. There I work with colleagues from different specialisms to understand the web of connection that links the denizens of the woods, and the cascade of energy from sunlight through plants, fungi, soil and animals.

This close and frequent observation of the local natural world contrasts with much of my academic research over the past few decades. Working with local partners across several continents, I have been building a monitoring network, stretching from the Congo Basin to the high slopes of the Andes, from the sun-drenched savannas of Africa to the towering trees of Borneo, to track how tropical forests respond to global change. The observations have been long-term, but because of the commitments of coordination, of university life and of family, my personal immersion in any one locale has been brief. My individual contribution has been in the big picture, synthesising insights across these diverse sites, taking advantage of a common scientific methodology that enables rigorous comparison.

I have long been inspired by the explorer and scientist Alexander von Humboldt, revered as a founding father of ecology and the environmental sciences. At the very beginning of the 19th century, Humboldt travelled the underexplored reaches of the Americas, collecting vast ranges of scientific observations, building up grand cross-disciplinary theories of how the natural world worked, engaging with local and regional politics in continents and nations brimming with new frontiers of discovery and political revolution. There is a sense of scale and excitement in his writings, of the sheer joy of discovery, that quickens the pulse and reminds me of similar moments of joyful exploration and the occasional reckless adventure.

Recently, however, my attention has been drawn to another founding figure of ecology, the Reverend Gilbert White. He had been a student and fellow at my Oxford college, Oriel, and in 2020, the 300th anniversary of his birth, I was asked to write a commemoration for him, though I knew little about him. In an effort to understand his significance, I took a between-the-lockdowns opportunity to visit White’s house in Hampshire, and its beautiful and expansive gardens, nestled in the rolling hills and forested valleys of the South Downs.

White thought naturalists were too desk-bound, too focused on dead specimens rather than understanding the intricate stories nature had to tell

Unlike Humboldt’s audacious intellectual and geographical reach, almost all of White’s writings are about one very small place, the vicinity of his house and garden. White’s most famous book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne , was published in the year of revolution, 1789, yet he barely mentions the wider human-political world, including the American Declaration of Independence, wars in Europe, and France and Britain struggling for domination of India. At a time when naturalists were sharing specimens and ideas across Europe, he hated to travel and suffered badly from coach-sickness. The furthest he seems to have voyaged in his entire life was to Exeter and Norwich, and the journey from Selborne House to Oriel College was one of his few regular journeys. Nor did he venture into grand Theories of Nature. As an ecologist more easily attuned to the Humboldtian tradition in both my curiosity for discovering large-scale patterns and my love for exuberant tropical nature, I felt a little underwhelmed by White at first.

Yet I came to appreciate the immense value of his approach as a counterpoint to planet-spanning snapshots. White wrote in detail about such things as plants, birds and worms, patiently observing the flowering times of plants, the migration patterns of birds, even the hibernation routines of his pet tortoise Timothy, purely for the joy of understanding them. He seems to have been the first to write so prolifically and empathetically about the behaviour of animals. He thought many naturalists were too desk-bound, and too focused on the anatomical study and categorisation of dead specimens rather than understanding the intricate and detailed stories that nature had to tell:

Faunists … are too apt to acquiesce in bare descriptions, and a few synonyms: the reason is plain; because all that may be done at home in a man’s study, but the investigation of the life and conversation of animals, is a concern of much more trouble and difficulty, and is not to be attained but by the active and inquisitive …

What White’s astute observational eye revealed was an understanding of animals as beings in themselves, with rich inner lives and complex behaviours, wants and needs. He laid open the wonder of a world in which creatures existed for their own purposes and needs, not as accessories to the drama of human history, but as vital, aware, self-motivated entities, ‘nations’ in themselves.

One example is the migration of birds, which he described as ‘a winged nation’. In the 18th century, it was a mystery what the swallows, martins and swifts, along with other birds that appeared only over the summer months, did during the winter. Did they bury themselves underground? The idea that such small animals flew off to the distant and exotic lands of Africa seemed inconceivable. Although White’s observations didn’t prove the migration idea, they revealed its possibility, and affirmed that there was no evidence that birds buried themselves and disappeared:

But in nothing are swifts more singular than in their early retreat … This early retreat is mysterious and wonderful, since that time is often the sweetest season in the year … Are they regulated in their motions with us by failure of food, or by a propensity to moulting, or by a disposition to rest after so rapid a life, or by what? This is one of those incidents in natural history that not only baffles our searches, but almost eludes our guesses!

It was White’s acute observation of change and behaviour that added the ‘history’ to ‘natural history’. Often called the first natural historian, a fair case could be made for calling him the first ecologist, although that emerging science wouldn’t bear this name until 1866. White studied Selborne as a whole, an evershifting composite of the dramas of individuals and species. The nonliving and living worlds blur in a complex and tangled dance. From this, what we now call the ecosystem emerges.

One demonstration of his ecological mindset, his awareness of the connections between beings, and how even the most unglamorous of beings can play important roles, is his regard for the humble earthworm when most contemporary opinion regarded it as an ugly-looking pest:

Earthworms, though in appearance a small and despicable link in the chain of Nature, yet, if lost, would make a lamentable chasm … worms seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would proceed but lamely without them …

To see humanity as but one member of a community of animal and plant ‘nations’ is intrinsic to many indigenous world views, including those of Europe. However, this way of seeing retreated in prominence in medieval Europe, and was further diminished by the elevation of the power of reason in the Enlightenment, which enhanced a sense of human superiority over Nature. White’s empathy with the inner lives of other species, married with the emerging scientific values of meticulous observation, record-keeping and quantification, was something new. His observations and writings made a quiet, patient beginning to a revolution that would eventually shake the foundations of our understanding of humanity’s place in the natural world.

It’s more important than ever to understand and watch our local natural world closely for augurs of the changes to come

The door that White eased ajar through his acute observation was one that Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and others would throw wide open. Darwin, who was born 16 years after White’s death, described White’s writings as a key early influence that had deeply impressed him. When Darwin published On the Origin of Species (1859), the decentring of the human that White had inadvertently begun took a huge leap forward. Humans were not only one part of a community of beings, we emerged and evolved from the ecological and evolutionary webs of connection that weave that world together. And, in the subsequent decades, the whole few-thousand-year span of written human history would come to be understood as floating on a deep ocean of Earth time and evolution, thousands of millions of years deep, that’s unfathomable and almost incomprehensible in its scale.

The journey that White began, to change our self-understanding, recognising that humans are embedded in a wider natural world, remains incomplete. I believe that the greatest challenge of our age is how we as a species and a civilisation overturn the assumption that human history and social and economic progress can be divorced from the natural world and its webs of interdependence. This assumption is being acutely challenged, and its contradictions revealed as our civilisation approaches the planet’s biophysical boundaries, driven by our relentless quest for ever-increasing material consumption, production efficiency and economic growth.

Returning to Wytham Woods, I watch a different pandemic at work. Ash trees, one-third of the trees in these woods, are dying of a fungal infection. Such diseases are becoming more common in a world of increasingly connected trade. Every decade is warmer than the last, spring is earlier and the weather more erratic. The web of life is shifting and reweaving in complex ways, in some cases showing resilience and adaptability, in others precarious vulnerability. It’s more important than ever to understand and watch our local natural world closely for augurs of the changes to come. And this can be done only by meticulous observation by those people, often amateurs rather than professionals, with the patience and passion to learn to read and understand nature’s secret codes. At the level of international science, Humboldtian snapshots are increasingly being criticised as ‘helicopter science’; more valuable is long-term partnership and support for local expertise. What’s needed is that local expert or teacher who has the knowledge (or potential knowledge if given the chance) and the locally embedded dedication to do the close observation. In the schools and universities of the tropics, there are thousands of Gilbert Whites waiting: passionate observers of local nature that are so needed and so ready to contribute, if only given the encouragement and opportunity.

Addressing the profound challenge of global environmental change is complex and multifaceted. But one certainty is the need for a change of world view, the fostering of humility towards the natural world and its shared community of beings. Such humility and appreciation are made possible by acute observation, empathy and delight in the mysteries and quirks of other species, qualities that White reveals in his writings. Whether we make those observations ourselves in the field, or as readers of the nature writings of others, or even as awe-struck participants when we sit down to watch David Attenborough’s joy and delight in his latest programme, we’re all direct heirs of White and his approach to seeing the world. The door to a new way of seeing and humility that he helped to ease open is one that’s led us down a long and unexpected path of ever-deepening understanding of our place in the natural world. Together, we must now collectively walk through that doorway and work out where the path leads.

Altered states

William James was right about our strange inner experiences

Rather than Freud’s cynicism or Jung’s enthusiasm, we need an inquisitive approach to unusual forms of consciousness

by David Yaden

Mind and brain

What is it like to remember all the faces you’ve ever seen?

They’ve been studied by researchers and recruited by police forces, but what’s it actually like to be a super-recogniser?

by Shayla Love

Virtues and vices

The medieval notion that shows why even experts should be humble

Nicholas of Cusa and others saw the importance of ‘learned ignorance’ or recognising there is always something more to learn

by Christopher M Bellitto

AFS Programs

10 Observation Essay Examples: Writers’ Narrative for Student Inspiration

In this collection of observation essay examples, you will find narratives that capture the writer’s unique experiences as an observer. Each essay tells a story where the writer takes on the role of a participant, allowing readers to understand the theme and overall impression of the observed event. These essays not only help students understand the methods and techniques of observation, but also serve as a source of inspiration for their own writing.

In the front row of a clinical classroom, 51 students are taking part in a gross motor development activity. The teacher, Chloe, plays an important role as a professional observer, allowing students to participate in the activity while she takes notes. As I observe the children, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The smells of the classroom, the sounds of children playing, and the overall atmosphere grab my attention.

As a writer, it is important to have accurate references and control over the essay’s structure. Here, the writer demonstrates their ability to understand and control the narrative, allowing readers to step into the observer’s shoes and experience the event firsthand. By reading these examples, students can gain a better understanding of how to write an observation essay that follows a clear and organized structure.

Importance of Observational Skills

Observational skills are an essential tool in the development of one’s understanding of the world around us. By training yourself to observe and take note of the details that often go unnoticed, you can gain valuable insights and perspectives about various subjects and situations. Each observation you make allows you to engage with the world on a deeper level and expand your knowledge and understanding.

Observational skills are not limited to any particular academic subject or area of interest. They can be applied in any context, whether you are observing a social interaction, a natural phenomenon, or a piece of art. By honing your observational skills, you can enrich your experiences and gain a greater appreciation for the world and its diversity.

Being well-versed in observational skills enables you to pick up on details that may elude others. It allows you to notice the intricacies and subtleties that make each person, object, or situation unique. By actively participating in the act of observing, you can uncover hidden meanings, motivations, and patterns that shed light on the bigger picture.

Observation is not just about what is being observed; it also involves self-reflection and introspection. By observing others and the world around you, you can gain valuable insights into your own thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. This self-reflection can help you identify areas for personal growth and development.

Observational skills can also be seen as a form of rehearsal for real-life situations. By observing how others behave and react in different scenarios, you can learn from their experiences and apply those lessons to your own life. This can help you navigate challenging situations with greater confidence and poise.

In an academic setting, observational skills are essential for providing well-written and reflective essays. By observing a subject or an event firsthand, you can compose a detailed and accurate account of what you have observed. This ensures that your written work is based on real-life experiences and not solely on secondhand information.

Observational skills also play a crucial role in various professions and careers. For example, doctors rely on their ability to observe patients’ symptoms and behaviors to make accurate diagnoses. Architects and designers observe spaces and environments to create functional and aesthetically pleasing structures. Teachers observe their students’ behaviors and interactions to provide tailored instruction and support.

Observational skills can be developed and enhanced through practice. By following some guidelines and incorporating specific strategies into your routine, you can improve your ability to observe and analyze the world around you. These may include being present in the moment, asking questions , taking notes, and actively engaging with your surroundings.

Benefits of Observation Essays for Students

First and foremost, observation essays provide students with a practical way to learn and understand various subjects. Whether it is observing events in a classroom or the clinical setting, students can gain valuable insights into real-life experiences that go beyond what they learn from reading textbooks or documents. By witnessing events firsthand, students can develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Furthermore, observation essays encourage critical thinking and analysis. Students are required to carefully observe and analyze the events or subjects they are observing. This helps them develop their analytical skills and think critically about the information they are gathering. Instructors often look for these skills in their students, and observation essays are an ideal way to hone them.

Another benefit of observation essays is that they allow students to broaden their horizons and gain a new perspective. By being an active observer, students can explore new themes or topics and expand their knowledge beyond what is typically taught in the classroom. This alternative education provides students with a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.

Types of Observation Methods

When it comes to conducting an observation, there are several methods that can be used. Each method has its own unique advantages and limitations, allowing researchers to choose the most suitable approach based on their specific goals. Here are some common types of observation methods:

1. Participant Observation: This method involves the observer actively taking part in the event or activity being studied. By immersing themselves in the experience, the observer can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and the context in which it occurs.

2. Non-participant Observation: In contrast to participant observation, this method involves the observer remaining separate from the event or activity. By maintaining a more objective perspective, the observer can focus on capturing accurate and unbiased information.

3. Structured Observation: In this method, the observer follows a predetermined set of rules and guidelines to ensure consistency and comparability across observations. This approach is often used in academic research to study specific behaviors or interactions.

4. Unstructured Observation: Unlike structured observation, this method allows for more flexibility and spontaneity. The observer is free to note whatever they find interesting or relevant, without being constrained by a predefined framework.

5. Direct Observation: This method involves the observer directly witnessing and recording the events as they unfold. By being physically present, the observer can capture details and nuances that may be missed in other forms of observation.

6. Indirect Observation: In contrast to direct observation, this method involves the observer gathering information through indirect means, such as reviewing documents or analyzing video recordings. This approach can be useful in situations where direct observation is not feasible or ethical.

7. Naturalistic Observation: This method focuses on observing subjects in their natural environment, without any interference or manipulation from the observer. By allowing events to occur naturally, researchers can gain insights into real-life behaviors and dynamics.

8. Controlled Observation: This method involves creating a controlled environment where specific events or behaviors can be observed under strict conditions. By reducing external factors, researchers can isolate and study the variables of interest more effectively.

9. Event Sampling: This method involves focusing on specific events or incidents within a larger context. By selecting key moments to observe, researchers can gather detailed information about these events and their significance.

10. Time Sampling: In this method, the observer selects specific time intervals for observation, rather than focusing on specific events. By observing at regular intervals, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the target subject’s routines and patterns of behavior.

These are just some of the many observation methods available to researchers. The choice of method will depend on factors such as the research question, the subjects being observed, and the desired level of control and accuracy. By understanding the different types of observation methods, writers can devise narratives that effectively capture the essence and dynamics of the events and subjects they are analyzing.

Examples of Observation Essays: Studying Nature

Observation essays provide an exclusive opportunity for writers to explore and study various aspects of the surrounding world. Whether it’s a classroom event, a nature observation, or a rehearsal for a school play, observation essays play a central role in understanding and documenting different areas of development and experience.

When writing an observation essay, it is essential to take note of the observations, making sure to be accurate in documenting what was said, as well as the overall impression and excitement of the event. By being a participant observer, the writer can provide a narrative that allows readers to fully understand the presence of the writer and what they are observing.

In the case of studying nature, observation essays can be a useful tool for well-versed writers to share their knowledge and observations with others. It is important to have a clear statement of purpose in the essay, highlighting the main areas of focus and the specific observations made. This helps the reader to understand the overall theme and purpose of the essay.

Below is a template that can be used as a guide in writing a nature observation essay:

• Observations: Share the specific observations made during the nature study, detailing the different aspects of the environment, wildlife, or plant life.
• Reflection: Reflect on the observations and discuss the significance of what was observed. What do these observations tell you about nature and its interconnectedness?

By following this template and providing detailed and accurate observations, writers can create engaging nature observation essays that not only inform but also inspire readers to appreciate and study the natural world. So, whatever the nature observation may be – from studying the behavior of animals to exploring different plant species – observation essays are an effective way to share knowledge and make a significant impact in the field of nature study.

Examples of Observation Essays: Analyzing Human Behavior

When writing an observation essay, it is essential to follow a strict outline to ensure that your thoughts and observations are organized in a logical manner. Here is an example outline that you can consider:

2. Observation event: Describe the specific event or activity you are observing. Be as detailed as possible, including information about the location, time of day, and the individuals involved.

3. Observation process: Discuss your role as an observer and the methods and tools you used for observation. Also, explain any biases or preconceived notions you may have had before observing.

4. Detailed observations: In this section, provide a detailed account of the observations you made during the event. Include information about the participants’ behaviors, facial expressions, body language, and any other relevant details that contribute to your understanding of human behavior.

5. Analysis and interpretation: It is crucial to analyze and interpret the observations you’ve made. Try to identify any patterns or trends in behavior, and consider the underlying reasons for these behaviors.

6. Overall impression: Summarize your overall impression of the observed event or activity. Reflect on what you have learned and how it has impacted your understanding of human behavior.

Observation essays can cover a wide range of topics, from observing a classroom of students to observing the behavior of individuals in a public setting. The key is to choose a topic that interests you and allows for meaningful observations.

For example, Chloe Halloran, a student at XYZ School, wrote a powerful observation essay about her experience observing a clinical rehearsal. In her essay, she focused on the different areas of human behavior she observed, such as motor skills, communication, and teamwork. Chloe’s detailed observations helped her gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of working in a clinical setting.

Overall, observation essays are an excellent tool for students to develop their analytical and writing skills. By closely observing and analyzing human behavior, students can gain valuable insights into the world around them and enhance their ability to communicate their observations effectively.

What is the purpose of an observation essay?

The purpose of an observation essay is to provide a detailed and descriptive account of a particular event, person, or place based on the writer’s personal observations.

Can you give me an example of an observation essay?

Sure! One example of an observation essay could be a writer’s narrative about their experience visiting a local farmer’s market, describing the sights, sounds, and smells of the market, as well as the interactions between vendors and customers.

What is a clinical observation reflection essay?

A clinical observation reflection essay is an essay where a student reflects on their experience observing a medical or clinical setting, such as a hospital or clinic. It allows the student to analyze and reflect on what they have observed and learned during their time in the clinical setting.

By Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for studying aging, genetics, and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics. His scientific research has been published in the most reputable international magazines. Alex holds a BA in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Southern California , and a TEFL certification from The Boston Language Institute.

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Nature Mentoring

The Easy Guide To Nature Observation

Or caught the glimpse of a rare animal in it’s natural state?

These moments are like magic when we take the time to pause & get into our senses. They have a unique timelessness that feeds our most ancient human soul on a deep level.

For some people these moments are quite rare, but tuning into the magic of nature doesn’t have to be rare. There are many things you can do to make these events more common in your life.

Nature observation is the practice of using our basic human senses to watch, listen, learn and appreciate our local environment while observing patterns in the life of plants, birds, trees & animals.

It all starts with how you choose to engage with the world around you.

The opportunity is there for you every day to open your eyes, ears and witness the world of nature.

This can bring an endless stream of beauty & joy into your life so today I thought I would share with you ‘The Quick & Easy Guide To Nature Observation’

Why Spend Time Observing Nature?

In our busy world with technology & computers you might wonder, ‘why should I take time out for nature?’

The fact is… people need connection to nature now more than ever.

There’s currently a growing deficit of nature in our world. People are spending more and more time inside concrete walls. We’re becoming more and more disconnected from our basic human senses and from the magic of the natural world.

The ability to observe nature is an inherent human skill which, when developed provides a cure for nature-deficit disorder.

Even the simplest of activities like watching ducks play on a pond can provide opportunities to connect with life & let go of your own personal world for a while.

You can think of it like a mini-vacation where every moment holds new excitement, adventure & learning opportunities… when you look for them that is.

Spending time with nature teaches us empathy.

There are life & death stories being played out every moment of every day. Watching life unfold & pass away season after season builds a deep sense of caring & respect for life.

You can watch trees grow from seedling to canopy… baby birds, baby raccoons, baby squirrels & all the crazy sounds they make… It’s enough to give anyone the warm fuzzies.

But the reasons aren’t all touchy feely.

Building your observation skills in nature will also provide you with enhanced personal power. You’ll have to learn how to apply your mind to gather up the components of a story & pull information off the landscape.

There’s a lot of research to suggest that quality time with nature increases concentration, happiness & overall well-being.

When people don’t get time with nature, stress levels are higher, ADD & other learning challenges arise.

Just imagine yourself as like a nature detective, or investigative reporter.

Your job is to fit together the pieces of the story. Observation is your toolkit.

All in all, this process is very simple & fun for yourself or to nurture the development of any youngsters in your family.

Nature Observation Activities

At the core of these activities lies your inherent capacity to use your senses & mind in a natural context.

When you go outside, do you stop to smell the roses?

Or do you plow through at great speed causing the animals to flee from you?

Do you take time to recognize the trees that grow near your home & watch how they change through the months & years?

Do you acknowledge the squirrel & his acrobatics or do you ignore him?

No matter how nature oriented you are as a person, there are always things we can do to further slow down & become present with what’s happening all around us.

In many cases the only reason we don’t notice things in nature is because we’re moving too fast.

One of the best ways to instantly magnify your observational capacity is simply to sit down somewhere & focus your awareness to the world around you.

When you move quickly in your body & mind, then your awareness is diminished… but when we become still on the outside, then we become still on the inside and we can take in the world through our five senses .

Practice Sensory Awareness

You can improve your ability to be aware of nature in a sensory way by focusing intentionally on each of your senses in turn. Start by closing your eyes and tune into your ears.

Imagine what it would be like to be a bat with their massive ultrasonic ears.

How many different sounds can you identify around you? What’s the quietest sound you can hear? What birds are calling in the distance?

Then spend a couple minutes tuning into your nose.

Sniff the air and everything around you. See how many scents you can identify in 5 minutes. What can you detect in the temperature and moisture content of the air?

Then sit very still & tune into your body.

Feel which direction the wind is blowing against your face. Feel the earth beneath your seat. Pick things up with your hands & test different substrates with your fingers.

Finally open your eyes & tune into your sense of sight.

Notice all the different colors & shades of green. Use your peripheral vision and tune into broad patterns with your eyes.

As little as three minutes of focus on your senses is enough to light up your brain neurons like a Christmas tree.

If you practice this every time you go outside then pretty soon you’ll naturally be paying much closer attention & notice a lot more.

Following The Trails of Natural Mystery

When you go out into nature there are stories everywhere. Nature is like a huge interconnected web.

Now that your senses are fully engaged, you can start to learn how it all fits together.

The natural world is made up of many interacting layers.

In addition to expanding your senses, it’s important to practice your observation skills with all the different layers of nature.

• Bird behavior changes depending on the weather…
• Certain plants draw in animals to feed at different times of year…
• The clouds roll in slowly from top to bottom when it’s going to rain …

All of these observations are relevant to the big picture.

It’s important to never ignore any one aspect of nature, especially when it’s commonplace. It’s usually the most common things that have the most to teach us. Yet, it’s also the most common things that are also most likely to be ignored.

When you break that pattern and just practice watching, looking, listening, you’re going to amaze yourself by how much you learn. You’ll be less apt to walk by and ignore the bird feeding on the lawn.

Sit and watch the squirrel for a little bit longer than you normally would… Get down on your hands and knees and really tune into the insect world… Pay attention to water patterns & notice that water moves through the land in an interconnected manner…

Streams flow into lakes which flow into new streams according to elevation…

The animals are drawn to certain water bodies. Can you figure out why?

All of this is happening in your own backyard! Even if you live in the middle of the city, nature is alive and vibrant when you choose to tune into it.

Here’s a quick list of activities that will promote your nature observation skills:

• Bird Watching
• Wildlife Tracking
• Ecology Classes
• Plant Walks
• Beach-combing
• Hiking/Camping
• Sitting on your front porch

Get Outside & Get Curious

The hardest part of becoming a skilled nature observer is taking the time to do it. Once you get off your butt and start to pay attention there’s really no way you can go wrong.

Just follow your curiosity and always remember that there are ways to look deeper.

At the core of curiosity lies a willingness to ask questions even if you don’t know the answers.

In reality, it’s not about knowing the answers. It’s all about how the question gets you to look & pay attention to notice something new.

Go Outside And Ask Yourself:

• What’s happening right now?
• What can I observe?
• Why is that happening?
• How does this all fit together?

Keeping A Nature Journal

What good is nature observation if you don’t remember what you observe?

One of the best ways to build your memory & make better observations is to keep a nature journal .

There are two ways that a nature journal can be used.

First, you can actually sketch and take notes while you’re out in the field. Many people find that having a notebook in the field is a great way to improve their level of focus.

By sketching & describing the patterns you observe, it helps you tune into a deeper level of nature than you would normally experience.

The second way that a nature journal can be used is to record your observations by memory after you go inside.

Keeping records of what you noticed forces you to recall and remember what you observe.

You have to build a vivid internal representation of your nature experience, and this will also make you aware of any holes in your awareness.

This can be as simple as a brief jotted description of what you noticed while you were outside. Record your sensory descriptions & observations of whatever was happening with the birds, plants, trees, weather, etc.

Once you have your observations recorded you can even take it a step further by asking yourself, ‘What am I curious about beyond what I just observed.’

Jot down any questions you might want to research or gather more information about the next time you go out.

This is a great way to build your nature knowledge by drawing on field guides & modern research.

Over time your burning questions will give you great motivation to get outside again & pay even closer attention.

Who knows, you might even make a unique discovery!

In a few years you’ll be able to look back on all your journals and stand in awe of how much you now know about nature, all by using the powers of your own mind.

Nature Observation For Kids

Nature observation isn’t just some boring adult learning exercise.

In fact, it’s often better if we take a bit of a childlike attitude.

When doing nature observation with kids we have to use a bit of a different approach.

Children are less technical than adults, but their capacity to view the world in a sensory way is as good or better than most adults.

Some kids will find it very easy to sit & watch the birds for hours on end, but others won’t.

It’s important to not put too much pressure on them.

Even if they’re bouncing off the walls with energy, rest assured that they ARE still paying attention.

A midst the chaos & excitement of play, you’ll notice moments when they get caught by an insect, or the way a particular old tree looks in the sunlight… Your job is to milk those moments!

All you really have to do is provide opportunities for these natural moments to occur, without trying to force them.

You can engineer scavenger hunts, sneaking games, free play time by the creek or any other fun activity that can be done in nature.

These all provide endless opportunities for kids to flex their nature observation muscles.

It’s best to focus primarily on having fun in the context of nature, and allow the observational component to come in through the background.

It’s often very easy to engage children in conversations about nature by focusing on long-term cycles. Draw their attention to signs of season, weather, broad ecological patterns , & cycles of the sun, moon/stars.

As they get older you can prompt more with questions , challenges, & missions that encourage inquiry & deeper reflection.

The psychological effects of nature are the same with children as they are with adults, so don’t be surprised if your kids start doing better with school, relationships & general happiness.

I’m sure you won’t mind though 😉

Let’s Take It To The Next Level

So now we’ve explored nature observation from all different angles.

All you have to do now is pick one thing that you’re inspired to do and start taking action.

I’d love to hear from you about your journey with nature observation.

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• What is your favorite nature observation tip?
• What helps you make good observations in nature?
• What are you excited to try out?

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If you’re looking for the easiest way to start really honing your outdoor instincts and nature observation skills… try the Nature Memory Journal Program .

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Reader Interactions

August 31, 2018 at 12:46 am

The main purpose of this reading was to tell the reader the correct way to observe nature. The author supports the main point by giving examples and different ways the reader can observe things in nature. For example, it said how you might observe the smell of something and how something might look or feel. In the article it says, “one of the best ways to build your memory and take better observations is to keep a nature journal.” I think this will definitely help me with remember what I saw and will help me to write it into my essays.

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Nature Essay for Students and Children

500+ words nature essay.

Nature is an important and integral part of mankind. It is one of the greatest blessings for human life; however, nowadays humans fail to recognize it as one. Nature has been an inspiration for numerous poets, writers, artists and more of yesteryears. This remarkable creation inspired them to write poems and stories in the glory of it. They truly valued nature which reflects in their works even today. Essentially, nature is everything we are surrounded by like the water we drink, the air we breathe, the sun we soak in, the birds we hear chirping, the moon we gaze at and more. Above all, it is rich and vibrant and consists of both living and non-living things. Therefore, people of the modern age should also learn something from people of yesteryear and start valuing nature before it gets too late.

Significance of Nature

Nature has been in existence long before humans and ever since it has taken care of mankind and nourished it forever. In other words, it offers us a protective layer which guards us against all kinds of damages and harms. Survival of mankind without nature is impossible and humans need to understand that.

If nature has the ability to protect us, it is also powerful enough to destroy the entire mankind. Every form of nature, for instance, the plants , animals , rivers, mountains, moon, and more holds equal significance for us. Absence of one element is enough to cause a catastrophe in the functioning of human life.

We fulfill our healthy lifestyle by eating and drinking healthy, which nature gives us. Similarly, it provides us with water and food that enables us to do so. Rainfall and sunshine, the two most important elements to survive are derived from nature itself.

Further, the air we breathe and the wood we use for various purposes are a gift of nature only. But, with technological advancements, people are not paying attention to nature. The need to conserve and balance the natural assets is rising day by day which requires immediate attention.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conservation of Nature

In order to conserve nature, we must take drastic steps right away to prevent any further damage. The most important step is to prevent deforestation at all levels. Cutting down of trees has serious consequences in different spheres. It can cause soil erosion easily and also bring a decline in rainfall on a major level.

Polluting ocean water must be strictly prohibited by all industries straightaway as it causes a lot of water shortage. The excessive use of automobiles, AC’s and ovens emit a lot of Chlorofluorocarbons’ which depletes the ozone layer. This, in turn, causes global warming which causes thermal expansion and melting of glaciers.

Therefore, we should avoid personal use of the vehicle when we can, switch to public transport and carpooling. We must invest in solar energy giving a chance for the natural resources to replenish.

In conclusion, nature has a powerful transformative power which is responsible for the functioning of life on earth. It is essential for mankind to flourish so it is our duty to conserve it for our future generations. We must stop the selfish activities and try our best to preserve the natural resources so life can forever be nourished on earth.

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Conservation

Observing Nature from your Window

Written by:

barreladmin

Apr 6, 2022

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Have you counted the windows in your living space? Have you ever taken a few minutes to look out of each one and observe the outside world? Now is the perfect time to discover what is right outside your windows!  

Bring a notebook and something to write with to each window and observe. Look through each one for 3-5 minutes. Be sure to use describing words and think about the following questions: 

• How are the views different?
• Do you see more natural aspects or developed features?
• Which window gives you the best view of wildlife? 
• Do you see anything you can identify? 
• Are you closer to the ground or did you have a higher viewpoint?
• Which window did you like looking out of the most and why? 
• What colors do you see?   

Try this again throughout different points of the day and notice how your surroundings change. You can even try doing this same activity but draw your observations this time. You can make observations in many different ways. Below are views and observations from our Education Team! 

Example 1: Observation in a list

• The grass is so green 
• There aren’t leaves on the trees yet, except the pine in the distance 
• It is raining – I like the rain today because I feel mellow, so I don’t mind being inside
• I like the way the sky looks today  
• The bright green grass is a nice contrast to the gray day 
• I saw a robin hopping in the yard  
• The cherry tree in my yard and the tall tree in my neighbor's yard have very different shapes 

  Example 2: Observations over time

I have been looking out my living room window for 31 years. The view has changed quite a bit over time. The trees have grown tall and there used to be more shrubs in the understory, but no matter how many I plant, the deer always seem to eat them. At the present time, the main attraction in my field of view is a 60-foot leaning tower of Asian spruce. Hurricane Sandy ripped it partially out of the ground but the birch trees behind it caught it from falling to the ground and are still holding it up to this day. 

As the hurricane-force winds blew, some of the spruce roots ripped out of the ground. The partially uplifted root mass created a hollowed-out den below the tree. This has been a haven for squirrels, wrens, juncos, cardinals, blue jays, and especially chipmunks. They love to take their cheeky treasures down into that hole where they can eat them in safety or hide them. They have a system of tunnels in that den that they have excavated over the years. I love to watch the chipmunks coming and going and chipping away. 

Example 3: Observations in a paragraph

When I look out the window, I notice the blanket of fog over the treetops, the small puddles of rain sitting on the roof, and the darkness of the trees; these things are all indicative of recent rainfall. I am satisfied with the current state of the weather because I know it is helping the forsythia bloom and it is necessary for other new growth. I feel cozy in my home because it seems like the outside might have a raw and chilly feeling in the air.

Example 4: Observations in a poem

How has the view changed from the window of my 200-year-old house?  Who before me has searched for signs of spring just as I am doing now?  My yard, sheltered from the river’s wind by the old stone church, my fortressed neighbor, has been on guard. In the backdrop, a street, perhaps then a 1682 footpath, has felt the weight of horses, wagons, first cars, and even my kayaks on wheels to the creek. Constant has been the sun, the wind, the rain, and the stars above as today’s minutes turn the page to centuries of nature’s reveal. Another huge pleasure when I gaze out the window is the beech tree in the foreground. I dug it out of the woods below the house and planted it outside my window 30 years ago. It was only 6 inches tall. I put a little fence around it and as it has grown, I made bigger fences to protect it from the pesky deer. Our biggest regret is that we didn't put up a fence around the whole property all those years ago, but the beech tree survives and makes me happy.  It still looks a lot like winter out the window, but spring is here. The cardinals are checking out the mock orange as a potential nest site, the spicebush is blooming, the chipmunks are busy, and every morning the chickadees sing their territorial "cheeseburger" from high up in the yellow birches. Yes, spring has sprung. 

Example 5: Observations from the perspective of the sky

I have transformed from a clear blue to a calming pink. My friend, the sun, is moving on to light up a different part of the world’s sky. She’ll be back soon to warm us. She provides warmth and light for humans, and animals, and plants so they can make food for themselves.  

Example 6: Observations in a T-Chart 

Lesson Plan Ideas

There are many ways to use this exercise for learners of all ages. Young children can draw what they see out their windows at home, or at school.  By placing a black construction “window frame” around their drawing allows for a customized window view. As with the examples above, learners can answer the question, “What is outside your window” in various ways: paragraphs, lists, poems, and bulleted responses.  To compare and contrast views, you may want participants to use a T Chart, or even a Venn Diagram while focusing on the natural elements. As an extension, ask the participants to draw the current scenery and then select a different season.  Do they remember what the same view out the window looks like at another time of the year? Use the front and back of a paper plate or split the paper to organize these depicted views. How do the plants and animals they see change throughout the seasons? In some parts of the country, there are wider variations than in others.  As your students where the widest and slightest variations would be and why?

For a fun family activity, ask different family members to “guess” how many windows are in your apartment or house.  Write this number on a piece of paper and then go into each room and count them to check how close the initial responses were to the actual number.

Children’s Books

The following books can be used to enhance your lesson.

"Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature" by Nicola Davies is known for its illustrations and describes a child’s relationship to nature in both city and rural settings. Through poems and poetic narrative, the book encourages children and their caregivers to go outside, to seek adventure, and to discover nature.

"Outside my Window" by Linda Ashman shows children around the globe and how their views are different than one another.  From palm trees to snow-capped mountains, it provides a perspective from different international locations. Click here to listen to the book .

"Windows" by Julia Denos follows a boy and his dog walking through town/city at dusk.  It offers the “outside to inside” views of windows as he looks up at them through his eyes at street level.  As he travels, he also meets various animals and people and ponders all the different window styles and those behind them. Click here to listen to the book . 

Download the worksheet PDF here.

This resource was created by Kate Reilly and Abigail Schmid.

For more information about how you can create nature-based window lessons for your students no matter where they live, contact Kate Reilly, Manager of Education at [email protected] .

Tags: Ecosystems , Wildlife

April 6, 2022

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A Summary and Analysis of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘Nature’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Nature’ is an 1836 essay by the American writer and thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82). In this essay, Emerson explores the relationship between nature and humankind, arguing that if we approach nature with a poet’s eye, and a pure spirit, we will find the wonders of nature revealed to us.

You can read ‘Nature’ in full here . Below, we summarise Emerson’s argument and offer an analysis of its meaning and context.

‘Nature’: summary

Emerson begins his essay by defining nature, in philosophical terms, as anything that is not our individual souls. So our bodies, as well as all of the natural world, but also all of the world of art and technology, too, are ‘nature’ in this philosophical sense of the world. He urges his readers not to rely on tradition or history to help them to understand the world: instead, they should look to nature and the world around them.

In the first chapter, Emerson argues that nature is never ‘used up’ when the right mind examines it: it is a source of boundless curiosity. No man can own the landscape: it belongs, if it belongs to anyone at all, to ‘the poet’. Emerson argues that when a man returns to nature he can rediscover his lost youth, that wide-eyed innocence he had when he went among nature as a boy.

Emerson states that when he goes among nature, he becomes a ‘transparent eyeball’ because he sees nature but is himself nothing: he has been absorbed or subsumed into nature and, because God made nature, God himself. He feels a deep kinship and communion with all of nature. He acknowledges that our view of nature depends on our own mood, and that the natural world reflects the mood we are feeling at the time.

In the second chapter, Emerson focuses on ‘commodity’: the name he gives to all of the advantages which our senses owe to nature. Emerson draws a parallel with the ‘useful arts’ which have built houses and steamships and whole towns: these are the man-made equivalents of the natural world, in that both nature and the ‘arts’ are designed to provide benefit and use to mankind.

The second aspect of beauty Emerson considers is the spiritual element. Great actions in history are often accompanied by a beautiful backdrop provided by nature. The third aspect in which nature should be viewed is its value to the human intellect . Nature can help to inspire people to create and invent new things. Everything in nature is a representation of a universal harmony and perfection, something greater than itself.

In his fourth chapter, Emerson considers the relationship between nature and language. Our language is often a reflection of some natural state: for instance, the word right literally means ‘straight’, while wrong originally denoted something ‘twisted’. But we also turn to nature when we wish to use language to reflect a ‘spiritual fact’: for example, that a lamb symbolises innocence, or a fox represents cunning. Language represents nature, therefore, and nature in turn represents some spiritual truth.

Emerson argues that ‘the whole of nature is a metaphor of the human mind.’ Many great principles of the physical world are also ethical or moral axioms: for example, ‘the whole is greater than its part’.

In the fifth chapter, Emerson turns his attention to nature as a discipline . Its order can teach us spiritual and moral truths, but it also puts itself at the service of mankind, who can distinguish and separate (for instance, using water for drinking but wool for weaving, and so on). There is a unity in nature which means that every part of it corresponds to all of the other parts, much as an individual art – such as architecture – is related to the others, such as music or religion.

The sixth chapter is devoted to idealism . How can we sure nature does actually exist, and is not a mere product within ‘the apocalypse of the mind’, as Emerson puts it? He believes it doesn’t make any practical difference either way (but for his part, Emerson states that he believes God ‘never jests with us’, so nature almost certainly does have an external existence and reality).

Indeed, we can determine that we are separate from nature by changing out perspective in relation to it: for example, by bending down and looking between our legs, observing the landscape upside down rather than the way we usually view it. Emerson quotes from Shakespeare to illustrate how poets can draw upon nature to create symbols which reflect the emotions of the human soul. Religion and ethics, by contrast, degrade nature by viewing it as lesser than divine or moral truth.

Next, in the seventh chapter, Emerson considers nature and the spirit . Spirit, specifically the spirit of God, is present throughout nature. In his eighth and final chapter, ‘Prospects’, Emerson argues that we need to contemplate nature as a whole entity, arguing that ‘a dream may let us deeper into the secret of nature than a hundred concerted experiments’ which focus on more local details within nature.

Emerson concludes by arguing that in order to detect the unity and perfection within nature, we must first perfect our souls. ‘He cannot be a naturalist until he satisfies all the demands of the spirit’, Emerson urges. Wisdom means finding the miraculous within the common or everyday. He then urges the reader to build their own world, using their spirit as the foundation. Then the beauty of nature will reveal itself to us.

‘Nature’: analysis

In a number of respects, Ralph Waldo Emerson puts forward a radically new attitude towards our relationship with nature. For example, although we may consider language to be man-made and artificial, Emerson demonstrates that the words and phrases we use to describe the world are drawn from our observation of nature. Nature and the human spirit are closely related, for Emerson, because they are both part of ‘the same spirit’: namely, God. Although we are separate from nature – or rather, our souls are separate from nature, as his prefatory remarks make clear – we can rediscover the common kinship between us and the world.

Emerson wrote ‘Nature’ in 1836, not long after Romanticism became an important literary, artistic, and philosophical movement in Europe and the United States. Like Wordsworth and the Romantics before him, Emerson argues that children have a better understanding of nature than adults, and when a man returns to nature he can rediscover his lost youth, that wide-eyed innocence he had when he went among nature as a boy.

And like Wordsworth, Emerson argued that to understand the world, we should go out there and engage with it ourselves, rather than relying on books and tradition to tell us what to think about it. In this connection, one could undertake a comparative analysis of Emerson’s ‘Nature’ and Wordsworth’s pair of poems ‘ Expostulation and Reply ’ and ‘ The Tables Turned ’, the former of which begins with a schoolteacher rebuking Wordsworth for sitting among nature rather than having his nose buried in a book:

‘Why, William, on that old gray stone, ‘Thus for the length of half a day, ‘Why, William, sit you thus alone, ‘And dream your time away?

‘Where are your books?—that light bequeathed ‘To beings else forlorn and blind! ‘Up! up! and drink the spirit breathed ‘From dead men to their kind.

Similarly, for Emerson, the poet and the dreamer can get closer to the true meaning of nature than scientists because they can grasp its unity by viewing it holistically, rather than focusing on analysing its rock formations or other more local details. All of this is in keeping with the philosophy of Transcendentalism , that nineteenth-century movement which argued for a kind of spiritual thinking instead of scientific thinking based narrowly on material things. Emerson, along with Henry David Thoreau, was the most famous writer to belong to the Transcendentalist movement, and ‘Nature’ is fundamentally a Transcendentalist essay, arguing for an intuitive and ‘poetic’ engagement with nature in the round rather than a coldly scientific or empirical analysis of its component parts.

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What Is It to Live in Time: Observing Nature and Society Analytical Essay

Introduction, examination of sources, works cited.

Theoretical issues can be of primary importance for making certain decisions because theoretical ideas are implemented in practice. Observation of nature and society can clarify the issue of living in a certain period of time and experiences the processes that take place in natural environment, in society, and interact with other individuals.

As some conclusions can be based on observations, it is necessary to consider the work by Engels and Marx that analyses the relationships between individuals in society in terms of their connections to each other and types of interactions; Freud focuses on the role of an individual in a society in terms of its relations to the civilization, and Darwin emphasizes the relations of individuals in terms of natural environment and other living species that inhabit the same territory.

The Communist Manifesto by Engels and Marx

“A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of communism” (Marx and Engels, Preamble). The first statement of the manifesto identifies the relation of people towards the period of time they live in and characterizes the relations between people. As communism is described as specter, people are either unaware or afraid of it.

However, the next passage clarifies the issue and analyzes that people were aware of communism but did not know exactly the peculiarities of regime and its consequences for the world. So, one of the prominent features of this work can be considered an idea of observation enlarged on while writing.

For instance, the author described the ways of production and their adjustment to the needs of contemporary people hence thinking about changes that should be made in every situation when time comes, some time is necessary to see the necessity of changes and take appropriate steps: “The feudal system of industry, in which industrial production was monopolised by closed guilds, now no longer sufficed for the growing wants of the new markets” (Marx and Engels, Chapter 1, para. 7).

Thus, the author analyzes the actions of people and relations between different classes in society by observing the history and inferring from events that happen all the time. Repetition of events is the main concept that can be emphasized from Marx’s observation of society in a long period of time.

Civilization and Its Discontents by Freud

People need those ‘regulations which adjust the mutual relationships of human beings in the family, the state and society” (Freud 59). This is one of the examples that demonstrate how the author used observation of nature and society to infer from things he saw. The work is aimed at analysis and interpretation of the major reasons and preconditions for creation or appearance of civilizations.

Freud noticed that all individuals have something in common and that every period of time can be marked with certain peculiar features that can be tips for creation of civilizations though every change requires a lot of time. Moreover, he analyzed the events that took place in the era such as the World War I where all technological innovations were used and the nature of order: “The benefits of order are incontestable. It enables men to use space and time to the best advantage…” (Freud 70).

Freud tried to explain that time is the only concept that is important because people adjust to certain life situations after experiencing difficulties.

On Natural Selection by Darwin

Chares Darwin contributed greatly to the development of evolutionary theory and clarified some aspects of natural selection: “We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food; we do not see, or we forget, that the birds which are idly singing round us mostly live on insects of seeds…” (Darwin 1).

In this respect, the whole concept of theories was built using the method of observation that enabled the author to see differences and similarities in certain areas of nature and society and analyze the importance of species, selection (that was mostly compared to breeding), and evolution.

The author claims that nature can make more obvious changes in the look of species than do men by breeding because of time needed for greater differences: “…adding up in any given direction mere individual differences, so could Nature, but far more easily, from having incompatibly longer time at her disposal” (Darwin 22).

In other words, Darwin could demonstrate every point and every concept of his theories, suggestions, and hypotheses using society and natural environment as examples because the structure of the natural societies such as prides, shoal, packs, and other groups is very similar to the structure existing in human society. A long period of time was necessary to infer from observing nature and society.

Different researchers used the method of observation to examine the world, its structure, and minor groups and concepts existing in it. Thus, Darwin was not the only to focus on the origin of species but one of the first to implement the analysis of species to human beings.

Freud analyzed the interactions between people as he saw the war and wanted to explore the reasons and peculiarities o individuals and civilizations. So, every observation needs a long period of time to make logical and adequate conclusions concerning the nature and society and relations between these concepts.

Darwin, Charles. On Natural Selection . New York: Penguin, 2005. Print.

Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents . New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2010. Print.

Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels. Manifesto of the Communist Party . Marx/Engels Internet Archive 1987, 2000. Web.

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IvyPanda . 2024. "What Is It to Live in Time: Observing Nature and Society." March 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-it-to-live-in-time-observing-nature-and-society-in-the-long-run-of-time/.

1. IvyPanda . "What Is It to Live in Time: Observing Nature and Society." March 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-it-to-live-in-time-observing-nature-and-society-in-the-long-run-of-time/.

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IvyPanda . "What Is It to Live in Time: Observing Nature and Society." March 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-it-to-live-in-time-observing-nature-and-society-in-the-long-run-of-time/.

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Flecks of sunlight would flutter through the branches, playing peekaboo before hiding again. The warmth of a summer day was like a blanket in winter and I fell in love with the way the comforting heat made me feel. It was inescapable. I felt nothing but peace during those walks. Often I’d lay my back upon the hard…

That Eye the Sky

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Nursing Personal Narrative

The bright blue background and High Mountain tops over 10 feet taller than me standing at 5’8’’. The slightly chilly breeze that lightly brushes my skin leaving small goose bumps throughout the surface of my whole body. The sound of the waterfall and view of the lake so translucent I can see the yellow fish all the way to the bottom. The trees singing in the background mimicking the echo of the water. The dirt soft and warm in-between my fingers from the pulsating raises of the sun. The rays drift in and out from the cover of the small puffy white and gray clouds. There is an overview of the city and tiny bugs in my peripheral vision that fly above me, there I sit on the mountain side with only the company of myself. I mentally evaluate my…

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As I walk I look up into the bruised sky, it’s dotted with greyish clouds; I have the sudden urge to clear them away to see nothing but the flares of the celestial sun casting a dreamy haze upon the sky, announcing the arrival of twilight. I can’t hear crickets- I didn’t expect to, though I guess it…

Personal Narrative-Rollercoasters

The sweltering hot sun beats down my back as I took my first few timid steps. A clear mist forms on my head but the gentle cool breeze caresses my face and relieves the heat.…

Related Topics

Anne Lamott on How We Endure and Find Meaning in a Crazy World

By maria popova.

The soul has had no greater champion in this age of fragments than Anne Lamott — a writer of exceptional lucidity and enchantment, with a rare way of becalming our modern anxieties and ancient anguishes, from grief and gratitude to the perils of perfectionism to how we keep ourselves small with people-pleasing . In Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair ( public library ), Lamott lays bare the deepest, most worn yet most resilient threads of the soul and laces out of the loose ends an extraordinary lattice of assurance and grace — assurance that there is hope for awakening in ourselves “a deeper sense of immediacy or spirit or playfulness” amid the slumber of ordinary life, and for those moments when we feel like all such hope is lost, the grace of trusting “that we do endure, and that out of the wreckage something surprising will rise.”

A century and a half after Tolstoy tussled with the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world , Lamott writes in the opening essay, titled “Beginning”:

We so often lose our way. It is easy to sense and embrace meaning when life is on track. When there is a feeling of fullness — having love, goodness, family, work, maybe God* as parts of life — it’s easier to navigate around the sadness that you inevitably stumble across. Life holds beauty, magic and anguish. Sometimes sorrow is unavoidable, even when your kids are little, when the marvels of your children, and your parental amazement, are all the meaning you need to sustain you, or when you have landed the job and salary for which you’ve always longed, or the mate. And then the phone rings, the mail comes, or you turn on the TV… What is the point of it all when we experience the vortex of interminable depression or, conversely, when we recognize that time is tearing past us like giddy greyhounds? It’s frightening and disorienting that time skates by so fast, and while it’s not as bad as being embedded in the quicksand of loss, we’re filled with dread each time we notice life hotfoot it out of town. One rarely knows where to begin the search for meaning, though by necessity, we can only start where we are… It somehow has to do with sticking together as we try to make sense of chaos, and that seems a way to begin.

In a living testament to Faulkner’s assertion that the writer’s duty is “to help man endure by lifting his heart” and to E.B. White’s conviction that the writer “should tend to lift people up, not lower them down,” Lamott captures the precarious goodwill of the human spirit:

We try to help where we can, and try to survive our own trials and stresses, illnesses and elections. We work really hard at not being driven crazy by noise and speed and extremely annoying people, whose names we are too polite to mention. We try not to be tripped up by major global sadness, difficulties in our families or the death of old pets… We work hard, we enjoy life as we can, we endure. We try to help ourselves and one another. We try to be more present and less petty. Some days go better than others. We look for solace in nature and art and maybe, if we are lucky, the quiet satisfaction of our homes… We’re social, tribal, musical animals, walking percussion instruments. Most of us do the best we can. We show up. We strive for gratitude, and try not to be such babies. And then there’s a mass shooting, a nuclear plant melts down, just as a niece is born, or as you find love. The world is coming to an end. I hate that. In environmental ways, it’s true, and in existential ways, it has been since the day each of us was born. […] Where is meaning in the meteoric passage of time, the speed in which our lives are spent? Where is meaning in the pits? In the suffering? I think these questions are worth asking.

But in asking these questions, Lamott observes — as Meghan Daum did in her eloquent defiance of the platitude industrial complex — that we rarely afford adversity anything more than the status of a complacent metaphor:

Our lives and humanity are untidy: disorganized and careworn. Life on earth is often a raunchy and violent experience. It can be agony just to get through the day. And yet, I do believe there is ultimately meaning in the chaos, and also in the doldrums. What I resist is not the truth but when people put a pretty bow on scary things instead of saying, “This is a nightmare. I hate everything. I’m going to go hide in the garage.” […] My understanding of incarnation is that we are not served by getting away from the grubbiness of suffering. Sometimes we feel that we are barely pulling ourselves forward through a tight tunnel on badly scraped-up elbows. But we do come out the other side, exhausted and changed. […] To heal, it seems we have to stand in the middle of the horror, at the foot of the cross, and wait out another’s suffering where that person can see us.

Echoing Emerson’s notion that life is a series of surprises, which we mostly resist , Lamott considers the inevitable ebb and flow of the human experience — the same cycling of impoverishment and excess that Rilke memorably extolled — and writes:

No matter what happens to us — to our children, to our town, to our world — we feel it is still a gift to be human and to have a human life, as long as we ignore the commercials and advertisements and the static that the world beams at us, and understand that we and our children are going to get knocked around, sometimes so cruelly that it will take our breath away. Life can be wild, hard and sweet, but it can also be wild, hard and cruel. The bad news is that after the suffering, we wait at the empty tomb for a while, the body of our beloved gone, grieving an unsurvivable loss. It’s a terrible system. But the good news is that then there is new life. Wildflowers bloom again… They’re both such surprises. Wildflowers stop you in your hiking tracks. You want to savor the colors and scents, let them breathe you in, let yourself be amazed. And bulbs that grow in the cold rocky dirt remind us that no one is lost.

But nowhere are these surprises at their most acute, or their most unwelcome, than in loss. “Grief, when it comes,” Joan Didion wrote in her indispensable memoir of loss , “is nothing like we expect it to be” — a notion Lamott enlivens with her touch of poetic precision:

Most of us have figured out that we have to do what’s in front of us and keep doing it… Every time we choose the good action or response, the decent, the valuable, it builds, incrementally, to renewal, resurrection, the place of newness, freedom, justice… We live stitch by stitch, when we’re lucky. If you fixate on the big picture, the whole shebang, the overview, you miss the stitching. And maybe the stitching is crude, or it is unraveling, but if it were precise, we’d pretend that life was just fine and running like a Swiss watch. This is not helpful if on the inside our understanding is that life is more often a cuckoo clock with rusty gears. In the aftermath of loss, we do what we’ve always done, although we are changed, maybe more afraid. We do what we can, as well as we can. […] A great truth, attributed to Emily Dickinson, is that “hope inspires the good to reveal itself.” This is almost all I ever need to remember. Gravity and sadness yank us down, and hope gives us a nudge to help one another get back up or to sit with the fallen on the ground, in the abyss, in solidarity.

That solidarity, Lamott argues in a sentiment that calls to mind Jeanette Winterson’s exquisite notion of “the paradox of active surrender,” is often what art gives us:

When you love something like reading — or drawing or music or nature — it surrounds you with a sense of connection to something great. If you are lucky enough to know this, then your search for meaning involves whatever that Something is. It’s an alchemical blend of affinity and focus that takes us to a place within that feels as close as we ever get to “home.” It’s like pulling into our own train station after a long trip — joy, relief, a pleasant exhaustion. If a writer or artist creates from a place of truth and spirit and generosity, then I may be able to enter and ride this person’s train back to my own station. It’s the same with beautiful music and art. Beauty is meaning.

But rather than a compendium of philosophical reflections suspended mid-air by the free-hanging laziness of aphorism , Lamott’s book is a tapestry of real stories — “real” in the rawest, most soul-shaking sense of the word — from which her firmly grounded yet elevating wisdom springs. In another essay, Lamott — a staunch champion of the uncomfortable art of letting yourself be seen — recounts her own journey from a difficult childhood to self-destruction to recovery and meaning. In a passage that evokes Henry Miller’s assertion that “it takes only one friend, if he is a man of faith, to work miracles,” she writes:

What saved me was that I found gentle, loyal and hilarious companions, which is at the heart of meaning: maybe we don’t find a lot of answers to life’s tougher questions, but if we find a few true friends, that’s even better. They help you see who you truly are, which is not always the loveliest possible version of yourself, but then comes the greatest miracle of all — they still love you. […] I also learned that you didn’t come onto this earth as a perfectionist or control freak. You weren’t born a person of cringe and contraction. You were born as energy, as life, made of the same stuff as stars, blossoms, breezes. You learned contraction to survive, but that was then. You have paid through the nose — paid but good. It is now your turn to reap. […] It can be healthy to hate what life has given you, and to insist on being a big mess for a while. This takes great courage. But then, at some point, the better of two choices is to get back up on your feet and live again.

In the fourth essay, Lamott revisits this subject of how we embolden each other to go on living. Echoing Emerson’s unforgettable contention that “people wish to be settled [but] only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them,” she writes:

Alone, we are doomed, but by the same token, we’ve learned that people are impossible, even the ones we love most — especially the ones we love most: they’re damaged, prickly and set in their ways. Also, they’ve gotten old and a little funny, which can be draining. It is most comfortable to be invisible, to observe life from a distance, at one with our own intoxicating superior thoughts. But comfort and isolation are not where the surprises are. They are not where hope is… Only together do we somehow keep coming through unsurvivable loss, the stress of never knowing how things will shake down, to the biggest miracle of all, that against all odds, we come through the end of the world, again and again — changed but intact (more or less)… Insofar as I have any idea of “the truth,” I believe this to be as true as gravity and grace. […] I’ve always loved funky rustic quilts more than elegant and maybe lovelier ones. You see the beauty of homeliness and rough patches in how they defy expectations of order and comfort. They have at the same time enormous solemnity and exuberance. They may be made of rags, torn clothes that don’t at all go together, but they somehow can be muscular and pretty. The colors are often strong, with a lot of rhythm and discipline and a crazy sense of order. They’re improvised, like jazz, where one thing leads to another, without any idea of exactly where the route will lead, except that it will refer to something else maybe already established, or about to be. Embedded in quilts and jazz are clues to escape and strength, sanctuary and warmth. The world is always going to be dangerous, and people get badly banged up, but how can there be more meaning than helping one another stand up in a wind and stay warm?

Stitches is a soul-stretching read in its totality — the kind you revisit again and again, and find especially assuaging assurance in during life’s darkest moments. Complement it with Lamott on the greatest gift of friendship , Meghan Daum on how we become who we are , and Victoria Safford on what hope really means .

* Elsewhere in the book, Lamott explains that she uses the word “God” as “shorthand for the Good, for the animating energy of love; for Life, for the light that radiates from within people and from above; in the energies of nature, even in our rough, messy selves.”

— Published January 26, 2015 — https://www.themarginalian.org/2015/01/26/anne-lamott-stitches-hope-1/ —

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Donna L. Long

The earth is good., thoreau’s style of keeping a nature journal.

He started his journal on October 22, 1837, just a few days after his graduation from Harvard. He wrote in it nearly every day until November 3, 1861, seven months before his death on May 6, 1862.

Henry David Thoreau stopped writing specifically for publication around 1852 and focused on creating his journal which grew to 14 volumes. His essays such as “Walking”, “Autumnal Tints” and “Wild Apples”, were drawn from these journals. They published these essays in the book E xcursions .

In speaking about a poet, he said: ” Is there any other work for him but a good journal?” (Journal, vol. X, October 21, 1857, #115)

Reading his journals provides inspiration for our own nature journal writing. Free ebooks of some of Thoreau’s are available on Project Gutenberg .

After 1850, going on long nature walks and recording his observations became the central task of his life. He grew into an expert naturalist and it filled his life with learning and living well in the land where he lived.

He took walks in the afternoon and wrote notes in a field notebook .

Each morning or at the end of several days, he would enter his entries into his journal. Some entries he would rewrite or polish into essays or lectures.

He recorded, as he said, everyday phenomena so people could see how wonderful their world was.

He used his journal to record his observations of the life cycle of plants, the sequence of plant blooming ( phenology ), animal behavior, the weather, and other happenings.

He made very simple sketches and maps to illustrate an observation or an event.

Henry David Thoreau’s journal is filled with simple nature essays, character sketches, news events, stories, quotations and snatches of conversations, along with his social commentary on human society.

He used all this raw information to write essays and lectures. He had learned from experience that lacking well-detailed notes made recalling information and writing an essay later a headache.

What He Said About Nature Journal Keeping

“My journal should be a record of the things that I love” and then “I love nature, I love the landscape because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest. I lie and relie [sic] on the earth.” (Journal, vol. 2, November 16, 1850) “The forcible writer stands bodily behind his words with his experience. He does not make books out of books, but be has been there in person” (Journal, vol.3, February 3, 1852)

What We Can Learn From Thoreau’s Method

• The first-hand experience is crucial to living responsibly with the land.
• Develop a routine or schedule for recording observations.
• Always have a pocket-sized notebook with you to record and sketch your observations.
• Make very simple sketches, maps and diagrams to enhance your learning and jog your memory.
• Use your observations to write finished essays or create finished drawings or other creative work.

Download free pdfs of Thoreau’s journals   from the Walden Organization

More Nature Journaling Posts

The Nature Journal

Nature Writing

Grinnell System Overview 

Nature Journal Prompts

Observing Nature

What is Phenology?

Phenology is Deep Ecology?

Collecting Phenology Data

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Nature Observations

Immersing yourself in Oregon's natural landscapes is an epic way to observe nature, but it's not the only way. For our own safety and the safety of the most vulnerable in our population, many of us are spending all or nearly all of our time indoors. Though it can be easy to disconnect from nature in these circumstances, we encourage you and your children/students to use this as an opportunity to notice the little ways that nature colors our lives as we look out our windows, walk our dog around the block, or watch a spider scamper across the ceiling.

The   BEETLES Project  at the Lawrence Hall of Science uses  "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of"  prompts to support exploration of outdoor areas. We recommend that you read the whole lesson if you are a teacher or outdoor educator planning to lead students in nature observations, but here are some main ideas and questions to give you an overview of the approach.

When we pay attention to our surroundings, we notice things with our senses - the scent of a flower, the wing movements of a bird, the crunch of feet on dried leaves. In this stage of exploration, focus on describing these sensory experiences. 

Some questions you might use as you interact with students:

• Is there another sense you can use to observe this organism or ecosystem?  Encourage students to use multiple senses (but be careful with taste!).
• If you observe from a different location, do you notice different things?
• Is that what you can observe with your eyes (ears, nose, etc.), or is that your possible explanation for what you observe?  For example, a student may say, "I notice it is looking for food" when observing an animal digging in the ground. It's great to encourage deeper thinking about the reasons for what students observe (and you'll do just this with "I Wonder"), but it can also distract from deep, focused observation. 

When we observe the world around us, it is natural to have many questions. Why is this animal digging a hole? How long will it take for all of the leaves on this tree to turn yellow? Why is the scent of this flower changing over time? In this stage of exploration, we take the time to think about all of the things our observations have made us wonder. If students keep coming back to the same idea (for example, "I wonder what it is."), model other words that can follow "I wonder":

• "I wonder why..." 
• "I wonder how..."
• "I wonder if..."
• "I wonder when..."

The way each of us interacts with and observes the world depends on our unique experiences and perspectives. Students should feel encouraged to make connections between their own lives and what they are noticing and wondering when they make nature observations. In this stage of exploration, encourage students to compare what they observe to things they have previously observed or experiences they have had. For example,

• It reminds me of the character in...
• It reminds me of the time I went to my neighbor's house and saw...
• It reminds me of something my family uses when we... 

You can use this three-step process to guide all sorts of interactions with the natural world. It's great for walks in the woods or desert, but it also works for watching out the windows as trees turn green in the spring, birds land on power lines, or clouds blow past. If you take the time to support students in learning this approach, you will be able to rely on it time and time again in future activities.

Nature Observation Activities

Biodiversity

Description:

Compare two areas with different biodiversity. Here are some examples of areas you might compare, either by visiting them if it is safe to do so, or by looking out a window:

• A parking lot and a park
• A garden and a lawn
• A section of forest where lots of light reaches the ground and a section of forest where very little light reaches the ground
• A lawn and a crop field

Compare and contrast the biodiversity in each area. Here are some options for how you might make these comparisons. Choose whichever option you prefer, or design your own method for recording what lives in each area.

• Make an inventory (a list of all of the different kinds of things) in each area.
• Make a sound map of each area. For example, do you hear different bird or insect calls in each area? Does the wind sound different in each area because of how it blows different kinds of plants?
• If you are in an area where you can safely and legally collect pieces of plants, collect a leaf from each kind of plant in both areas. Make a collage or other art piece that highlights the different plants in each area. Draw animals and other organisms that you observe.

Here are some questions to think about (and write about in your journal, if you want):

• Which area has more biodiversity? How did you decide?
• How is the biodiversity in each area affected by humans? For example, are people controlling which kinds of plants live in the area? How does this affect what animals might live there?

Scientists who study weather and predict weather changes are called  meteorologists.  Meteorologists use a variety of tools to help them understand weather changes.  Make your own weather station  to observe temperature, air pressure, wind speed, and rainfall! 

Consideration : Rubbing alcohol (optional) should only be used with adult supervision.  

Make your own cloud:  Have you ever wondered how clouds form? There are several types of clouds, but they all have something in common: they are made of water. You can use household materials to  make your own cloud in a jar .

• Record your observations as you make your cloud.

Consideration:  In this activity you will need a half cup of very hot water. Please handle with caution with an adult’s help.

GLOBE Observer :  Your observations can help scientists track changes in clouds in support of climate research! To participate, just download the app, go outside and follow the prompts in the app to observe your environment. Photograph clouds, record sky observations and compare them with NASA satellite images to help scientists understand the sky from above and below.

Consideration : GLOBE Observer requires access to a smart phone and ability to download an app.

Let’s experiment with different surfaces to see how they affect water flow!

• Pavement: driveways, sidewalks, patios
• Grass or flowers
• Trees or shrubs
• Water puddles
• What does your container of water represent? 
• Some surfaces are permeable (allow water to pass through) and others are impermeable (do not allow water to pass through). Are any surfaces you are testing permeable? Impermeable?
• When you pour water on the pavement, where does it go? Where does it go when you pour it onto the grass or dirt?
• How fast does water disappear on different surfaces? Which one is slowest/fastest?
• How do different surfaces (soil, trees, shrubs, grass, rocks, logs, pavement, houses) affect water flow and absorption in our watershed? 
• If you are not able to go outside, gather different items inside to experiment with, such as: a towel or washcloth (to replicate grass/soil), sponge (to replicate grass/soil), plate (to replicate pavement), tinfoil (to replicate pavement), house plants, etc. Conduct your experiments in a sink, bathtub, or shower so you don’t make a giant mess!

Want to try and   build your own watershed model ? You can build a model inside or outside!

• Watch this   silent video  for an example of a watershed model.

Who doesn’t like getting their hands a little dirty?  Explore differences in soil types and composition in this neat and simple  Soil Stories  activity. 

• If you aren’t able to go outside to collect soil, see if you can find any inside! Maybe you have some plants that are growing in soil, or maybe there is soil on some vegetables that haven’t been washed yet. You might not be able to find enough soil inside to do a “soil shake”, but you could still make careful observations of the soil you find. 
• If you can’t find any soil,  watch this video  to see the living world of soil under our feet. And you can look closely at this   poster  to learn about the biodiversity in soil.

Want to do more soil experiments with the soil in your yard or nearby open space? 

Try this  soil texture analysis  experiment or this  soil erosion demonstration  to see the variability and importance of soil.  

Considerations:

For the soil erosion demonstration, you will need three plastic bottles. Please enlist the help of an adult in setting up the structure for the soil erosion activity and use care when cutting bottles.

For the soil texture analysis, you will need a mason jar or plastic jar with a lid. 

How to observe arthropods:

• If you are able to go outside safely, one of the best ways to observe arthropods is to sit or stand quietly in one spot. 
• To observe with your eyes, first look around to see if you notice any arthropods. Then, instead of searching for arthropods, pay attention to any movement you see. Let your eyes follow the movement, and see if it’s an arthropod that is moving!
• To observe with your ears, listen carefully for any noises that might be caused by arthropods - like the buzz of flapping wings!
• If you are observing arthropods inside, there are a few key places to look: 
• On the windows
• Along the window sill
• In the corners of the ceiling or floor
• On or near plants, like houseplants or ripe fruit
• Before you start making arthropod observations, you might want to visit the  Online Activities  for this week to learn more about all the different kinds of arthropods. 

Arthropod behavior (making an ethogram):

If we take the time to really watch the arthropods around us, we can start to notice lots of interesting behaviors. An  ethogram  is a record of animal behaviors. Find a live arthropod to observe and use  this ethogram sheet  to record what the arthropod is doing. Or, you could make a similar sheet in your journal!

Variation 1:  Are you able to observe an area where many arthropods are visiting, like a plant with flowers on it? Instead of making repeated observations of a single arthropod, make repeated tallies of the arthropods you see. For example, every fifteen seconds, count how many bees, how many spiders, and how many ants you see.

Variation 2:  If you can’t view a live arthropod’s behavior, observe a video of an arthropod. To keep your focus on the arthropod, turn off the sound if there is any narration or music playing in the video. Here are two videos to try:

This is Why Water Striders Make Terrible Lifeguards

Dung Beetle Rolls Enormous Dung Ball with Difficulty

Pollinators

Safety Consideration:  

While most pollinators, such as bumble bees, mason bees, and honey bees are docile, it is important to be careful and give them space when observing them as they pollinate flowers.  People with allergies to bees and pollen should take particular care.

Build a Mason Bee Home

When people think of bees, they often think of honey bees.  Did you know there are approximately 500 species of bees living in Oregon? You can   follow these instructions  to build bee habitat to encourage them to pollinate the plants in your neighborhood!  

For more information about Mason bees and keeping them, check out:

10 Tips for Keeping Mason Bees

Building a Home for Mason Bees

Pollinator Patrol!

Pollinators are everywhere in spring, but they keep moving!  Finding them means you have to look closely and pay attention.  If you have access to a yard, a window, a patio, or balcony, watch for flies, moths, bees, small birds, or other possible pollinators.  Observe any activity you see, especially if there are flowering plants in sight. If you can get close to the flowers, look closely - you’ll probably see some pollinators!   

• If there are multiple kinds of flowers nearby, look closely at each. Do they have the same pollinators?  How many different types of pollinators can you count?  
• Do the pollinators you observe appear to be collecting pollen? Sometimes you can see small bright orange balls of pollen being carried by insects!  Other pollinators, like hummingbirds, may be more interested in the flower nectar.  
• Write down what you see, or take pictures if able. See the Nature Journaling section below for ideas. 

Public Science

Oregon has an active statewide community of bee enthusiasts.  Check out the Oregon Bee Project for information about garden plants that attract bees, field guides to identify different species of bees, and an ongoing project to map the bee species people see around the state.

Oregon Bee Project 

The Quest to Find Every Kind of Bee in Oregon (video)

Go on a flower search. 

• If you have safe access to outdoor space (for example, a backyard or an area where you walk a pet) see how many flowers you can find in bloom right now. Some flowers have bright colors that are easy to spot, but look closely at all the plants you see - they might have flowers that are small or green! Don’t forget to look at trees!
• If you do not have safe access to outdoor space, you can go on a flower hunt inside! You might find flowers on houseplants or on some of your food. You might find photos or drawings of flowers in books, on clothing, or on food packaging. Think creatively about all the places you might find flowers!

Dissect a flower.

• Take a look inside a flower to locate and identify the different parts that the flower uses to create pollen, catch pollen, and make seeds. The  Edmonton & Area Land Trust  has simple instructions for a flower dissection, or for more explanation, check out this version from  Scientific American !
• Though many flowers have the exact same parts, these parts can look very different. If you can find more than one kind of flower, compare the shapes and locations of flower parts in different kinds of flowers.
• If you don't have any flowers to dissect, don't worry! See the   Online Activities  for an online version of a flower dissection.

Considerations:  Flower dissection requires scissors or a knife/scalpel. An adult should supervise.

Make a pollen trap.

• Flowering plants make pollen in their flowers. Some plants depend on pollinators like bees, flies, and birds to move their pollen from one flower to another, but many plants depend on the wind to blow their pollen. This blowing pollen falls onto flat surfaces (or goes up our noses and causes allergies!). 
• Pollen Nation  shows you how to make and set up a pollen trap to learn about the pollen that is blowing in the air around you. You can even submit a photo of your pollen trap (with adult supervision) after it collects pollen, and it will tell you how many pollen grains were caught on your trap. (Note: If you would like to submit a photo of your pollen trap to Pollen Nation, follow their exact specifications for the size of your trap.)
• You can find written instructions for making a pollen trap, and ideas for making a trap if you don't have black paper,   here .
• Are some of the pollen grains larger than others?
• Is there a pattern to how the pollen grains are trapped on the paper rectangle?
• Do you see any plants around you that might be sending pollen into the air right now?
• For extra fun, put out multiple pollen traps and see whether different amounts or types of pollen collect in different areas.

Considerations : 

• This activity should not increase your exposure to pollen (which is already in the air when you set up your trap), but if you have a severe pollen allergy you might consider skipping this activity.
• Pollen trapping works best on dry days.

Drawing and observing a tree in detail is a great way to learn more about trees, their parts, and their important role in the ecosystem. You can observe trees in detail even from your window! In   The Closer You Look  ( en español ), students will draw and write from memory about a tree, then head outside or to a nearby window to closely observe all the parts of a tree to see how much more they learn when looking closely.

The Closer You Look  - Compare your ‘from memory’ tree to the real thing!

En español:   Cuanto más cerca lo veas, mejor

Other Activities: 

• Do you have access to a smartphone and want to contribute scientific data to NASA? Check out this GLOBE Observer: Trees  activity to measure a tree near you. 
• For more backyard tree activities, check out these resources from   Project Learning Tree .
• GLOBE Observer: Trees  requires access to a smartphone or device with an internet connection capable of streaming video and sound.

Creating a bird feeder and placing it outside is a great way to attract birds that you can observe closely, even through your window!  If you have a yard, the feeder can be away from the house, or some feeders can even be under the roof overhang or on a window sill. The following links contain several different plans to build bird feeders, from recycled everyday materials, or more involved plans if you have tools and wood to use.  Other links have ideas for things you might have in the house that birds would eat.

• Bird feeders can be messy (birds don’t use napkins or worry about dropping food bits)
• Feeder should be in a place safe for birds (out of reach of cats, not next to large picture windows they might fly into)
• Other animals might love your bird feeder too.  If you find it is attracting raccoons or other wild animals, you may have to move it or take it down.  
• Get help from an adult in choosing a location and installing the feeder. 

Simple Bird Feeder Plans:

6 Fun and Easy Bird Feeders That Any Kid Can Make

Make a Bird Feeder Out of Recycled Materials

Instructional Videos: 

How to Make a Simple Bird Feeder

Pine Cone with Peanut Butter Bird Feeder

Bird Food Ideas: 

Feeding Birds With Kitchen Items

10 Best Types of Birdseed and Food

These activities are part of   weekly activity sets that we provided for parents and teachers supporting students while schools were closed in Spring 2020. For more information, return to the COVID-19 Programming Resources page.

How to Begin an Observation Essay: Tips and Strategies

• December 8, 2023
• Study Guides

Welcome to our guide on how to start an observation essay . Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, beginning an observation essay can sometimes be a challenging task. It requires careful planning, attention to detail, and an ability to capture the essence of the subject or event you’re observing. In this article, we’ll provide you with valuable tips and strategies to help you kickstart your observation essay effectively.

Here's What You'll Learn

Before we dive into the tips and strategies, let’s briefly discuss what an observation essay is. It is a type of paper where you provide remarks and findings about an individual, group, or event, focusing on specific details. Your goal is to describe your observations on a particular theme, engaging your readers through vivid descriptions and sensory details.

Now, let’s explore some key takeaways that will guide you through the process of beginning your observation essay:

Key Takeaways:

• Write in the present tense to establish a sense of immediacy and connection to the event.
• Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Include a hook, background information, and a clear thesis statement in your introduction.
• Develop your thesis statement with arguments and facts in the body paragraphs.
• Summarize and analyze your main ideas and arguments in the conclusion.

By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to begin your observation essay and captivate your readers from the start. Remember, the more you practice and refine your writing skills, the better your observation essays will become.

Paper Structure for an Observation Essay

The structure of an observation essay is similar to other essays, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section plays a specific role in presenting and analyzing the observations made.

The Introduction:

The introduction of an observation essay should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should also include a clear thesis statement that highlights the main idea or argument of the essay. For example:

“Through the detailed observations of [topic], this essay aims to explore [specific focus or research question].”

The Body Paragraphs:

The body paragraphs of an observation essay are where the writer presents and analyzes their observations. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or finding, supporting it with evidence and examples. It is essential to use descriptive language and sensory details to paint a vivid picture for the reader. Additionally, incorporating relevant quotes from interviews or other sources can add depth to the analysis.

The Conclusion:

The conclusion of an observation essay should provide a summary of the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. It should also offer a reflection on how the observations connect to the overall thesis statement and research question. This section helps to solidify the writer’s argument and leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

When writing an observation essay, it is important to adhere to the technical requirements set by the academic level and field of study. These may include specific formatting guidelines such as font size, spacing, citation style, and an appropriate structure for headings and subheadings. Following these requirements ensures a cohesive and professional presentation of the essay.

Table: Differences between Observation Essays and other Essay Types

In conclusion , understanding the structure of an observation essay is crucial for effectively presenting your findings and arguments. By following the suggested format, you can create a well-organized and engaging essay that captures the reader’s attention and provides a comprehensive analysis of your observations.

Tips for Starting an Observation Essay

Starting an observation essay can sometimes be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can capture your readers’ attention from the very beginning. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Begin with a brief overview

One effective way to start your observation essay is by providing a concise summary of the topic and your thesis statement. This sets the stage for what readers can expect throughout the essay.

Pose a thought-provoking question

Another approach to engage your readers is by asking a question related to the topic. This invites them to think critically and encourages them to continue reading to find the answer.

Capture attention with an interesting fact or description

Hook your readers by sharing a surprising fact or vividly describing the main setting of your observation. This creates intrigue and makes readers more eager to delve into your essay.

Employ a delay strategy or personal anecdote

To add an element of suspense or connect the past to the present, you can gradually reveal the subject of your observation essay. Alternatively, you can share a personal experience that relates to the topic, drawing readers in through your own perspective.

Remember, the starting strategy you choose should align with your essay’s requirements and target audience. Experiment with different approaches, take breaks to gain fresh perspectives, and seek feedback to refine your observation essay. By implementing these tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a captivating and engaging piece.

How should I begin an observation essay?

To start an observation essay, you can use various strategies. One approach is to provide a brief overview of the essay’s topic and thesis statement in a few short sentences. Another effective strategy is to pose a thought-provoking question related to the topic, inviting readers to consider the answer. Alternatively, you can grab readers’ attention by starting with an interesting fact or vivid description of the main setting. Additionally, you can add intrigue by relating a past experience to the present or gradually revealing the subject. Choose a strategy that aligns with your essay’s requirements and engages your target audience.

What is the structure of an observation essay?

The structure of an observation essay typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should include a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention, provide background information on the topic, and present a clear and concise thesis statement that highlights the main idea of your essay. The body paragraphs are used to develop the thesis statement by presenting arguments, supporting evidence, and discussing the pros and cons of certain ideas. The conclusion should analyze how the thesis statement was developed throughout the essay and provide a succinct overview of the arguments and ideas presented.

What are some tips for starting an observation essay?

When starting an observation essay , it’s helpful to create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a coherent flow of ideas. To make your essay more engaging, use sensory details to vividly describe the scene and capture the mood in the introduction. End your essay with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Moreover, you can seek assistance and guidance from professional writers who can provide valuable help throughout the writing process.

Source Links

• https://pro-essay-writer.com/blog/observation-essay
• https://essayshark.com/blog/how-to-write-an-observation-essay/
• https://vmagazinespain.com/instructions/starting-observation-essay.php3

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Rate the lesson plan, lesson plan, john muir: observation and descriptive writing.

John Muir National Historic Site

Essential Question

How can you convey your observations of nature through descriptive writing?

Students will be able to: • Observe objects and surroundings • Recognize relationships between objects and environment • Describe personal observations that convey the importance of nature

Understanding of observational writing:

Observational writing uses the senses to convey details through descriptive words. Using universal concepts and tangible experiences, readers are able to picture an experience in their own minds and relate to the author and/or subject matter.

It would be helpful to read some of John Muir’s writings about nature. Excerpts from the following are relevant:

• My first Summer in the Sierra
• Mountains of California

Preparation

Pencils/pens

Lesson Hook/Preview

John Muir believed that the best way to learn about nature is to observe it. He spent years recording where he found certain plants and animals as well as what time of year he observed them. He used descriptive words that engage our senses and help us to imagine the wild places he visited.

Describe observational writing and how John Muir’s writing about nature inspired others to help with his cause to preserve wild places.

Read (aloud) provided quote of John Muir’s writing (below).

"I drifted about from rock to rock, from stream to stream, from grove to grove. Where night found me, there I camped. When I discovered a new plant, I sat down beside it for a minute or a day, to make its acquaintance and hear what it had to tell... I asked the boulders I met, whence they came and whither they were going."

– John Muir, John of the Mountains

Students choose an animal, plant, or place.

Students observe for at least 5-10 minutes.

Students write a paragraph describing the plant, animal, or place.

Ask them to write about colors, textures, and/or smells, using details that make the reader feel like they are in the moment.

Observation Utilizing senses of sight, hearing, smelling, touch, taste to understand objects or surroundings.

Descriptive Style of writing that uses details to bring about images in the minds of readers.

Universal Concepts that are common to most people. When used in writing or descriptions, universals help to create understanding and emotions.

Tangible Things that can be understood through our senses.

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Last updated: December 17, 2018

Observing Nature Essay

Observation of Nature in my backyard. With my notebook in hand, I sit down on the swing bench on my back porch. Tuning into all my senses, I close my eyes, I slow my breathing, and I deepen my concentration. Free from visual distractions, I calm my mind and lay down to take in what I could observe through my auditory senses. I feel the warmth from the sunshine above. I feel the gentle breeze. I open my eyes and squint at the change in light.

Eyes narrowed, I survey my surroundings. The clear sky didn’t have a single cloud to block the rays of the radiant sun.

Essay Example on Observational Topics

As I began to relax, I could start to sense a feeling of peace as I gazed at the outstretched deep blue canopy above and felt the penetrating warmth that emanated from the sky. Every once in a while a cool breeze would pass by and ease away the sun’s intense heat bath for brief moment.

A bee crawls on a beautiful lavender lilac, taking its pollen. It gracefully lifts itself into the air, its wings moving so fast it appears is if they’re standing still. I watch as it slowly moves from flower to flower. The chirping of the cicadas and crickets echo throughout the foliage. The flowers and plants gently sway in the wind.

I observe further still, doing my best not to move, just to take in the atmosphere. It’s truly marvelous, the detail and creativity of God’s creation.

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A bird hops on the ground; it looks up at me with its big blue eyes, full of so much curiosity. I look up at the beautifully vibrant blue sky; I see the clouds, so high above, each with their beautifully detailed shapes, slowly moving in the same direction as if the rest of the world is standing still. I stand up, barefoot, still in awe. I slowly walk forward, the boards creaking as I step off the deck and onto the soft soil of the lawn.

The grass feels good between my toes. As I see all this happening around me, it finally sinks in how full of life my environment is, and how much I can find in somewhere as close as my backyard. I never took the time before to just peacefully sit and survey nature, analyzing it detail. It was an incredibly valuable experience and I now have a whole new appreciation for God’s creation. But more importantly, it has made me realize how distant I have been lately, and has given me both the need and the desire to draw closer to my heavenly Father.

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