2025 outdoor snapshots 0132 by

Patches of Snow - Electra Wilhelm

2025-01-21 20:34:58 UTC

I took this picture because I thought children may be curious about why snow and ice melt in patches. This phenomenon raises questions about the properties and cycles of water, snow, and ice. Children may also consider the ground level that the snow and ice are on, but could further inquire why the snow and ice remain longer in deeper parts of the ground.

Gracie

2025-01-21 20:40:19 UTC

I chose this picture of a bush as it intrigued me that only a small part appeared to be brown. Did part of it die? Will the whole plant look like that soon? Is this a result of the cold weather?

2025-01-21 20:40:35 UTC

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2025-01-21 20:52:14 UTC

I wondered if these rocks are from this area, or whether they were brought in for landscaping / decoration. How did these rocks form? Why do they have this colouring/pattern? -Hannah M.

Milk Weed

2025-01-21 20:52:32 UTC

I snapped a photo of the native plant Milk Weed, I was excited to see it as it is normally ripped out as a common weed in manicured gardens.

2025-01-21 20:52:44 UTC

This tree caught my eye because of the buds on the ends of the branches. It is hard to see in this photo because of how high up they are. I'm not sure if they are actually buds or something different, because I attribute buds to the springtime. I am curious what they are and why they are on the tree during winter. I usually think of trees in the winter as bare.

2025-01-21 20:53:19 UTC

The shoe print pattern in the ice fascinated me, and it made me wonder about what point in the ice’s formation did the person walk through this space? Was it preformed in the mud or the water?

Nature Walk by Abbi

2025-01-21 20:53:22 UTC

I chose this picture because I was curious to know what it was and why is it not dead in the winter. I expected it to be dead and frozen in this cold weather but it was still fluffy. I think with a class we can explore what it is, why is it still soft and go into exploring how some animals might use this to build their homes during the cold and conned it to more scientific concepts.

Very large pigeon -Sofia I

2025-01-21 20:54:07 UTC

This is a very large pigeon. It remained in this corner for at least half an hour, it is probably still there. You usually see pigeons sitting on wires or rooftops but I think it was SO COLD today that this one got comfortable here between the two walls because they were cutting off the wind and providing some warmth. Also it is so large, maybe it's pregnant? Or maybe just packing on extra weight for the winter? Anyways, I just thought it was a very interesting pigeon seeming so out of place so I chose this picture!!

The Hole in the Tree (Maddie)

2025-01-21 20:54:11 UTC

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Madeleine K

2025-01-21 20:55:26 UTC

I chose this picture because I’ve always been fascinated by how animals camouflage so it was really cool to spot a a few birds hidden in this tree. Since we were thinking about how cold it was I started wondering how such small birds are able to survive in such cold environments.

Alon

2025-01-21 20:55:29 UTC

Preethi

2025-01-21 20:56:09 UTC

I chose this picture as the juxtaposition of the trees and bushes made me think about how the trees are orange and the bushes are green despite it being the middle of winter! This image may go against what a lot of people picture when they think about the four seasons which can be a great concept to investigate with children. Moreover, specific inquiries about plants can also be explored (eg. what makes some plants maintain their colour and shape while others can't?)

Katie

2025-01-21 20:59:00 UTC

I chose this picture of what I believe is a sycamore tree. These deciduous trees are very fascinating as they shed their bark and typically have a camouflage look to their bark and trunks. I chose this tree as they aren't very common and in the spring their fruiting buds grow in fuzzy spheres and dangle like tree ornaments. I wonder how these trees contribute to our environment and ecosystem, and how our environment and ecosystem depend on them!

Alyssa

2025-01-21 21:00:40 UTC

Seeing this bench, I wondered why the ice was so thick on the grass in the open but was quite thin under the bench on the cement. I also wondered, what caused the speckled look of the ice that was on the grass?

Tree Trunk- Ramla

2025-01-21 21:01:08 UTC

2025-01-21 21:01:47 UTC

I thought this was a bird's nest made of leaves but we discussed how it could be from other animals too. I wonder how animals choose the location for their nests. -India

Bush with red berries

2025-01-21 21:03:33 UTC

On our nature walk today, this bush with its vibrant red berries immediately caught my eye. Against the bleak winter landscape, the bright pops of colour stood out, almost as if defying the cold. It made me curious—how does certain vegetation manage to thrive in such freezing weather? I couldn’t help but wonder if these berries are edible and who might rely on them for food. Are they safe for humans, or perhaps even poisonous? Anyone wanna go back and try one ;)

Growth and Changes in Pants

2025-01-21 21:03:41 UTC

Listen to the world!!

2025-01-21 21:04:12 UTC

The sound of the airplane flying overhead caught my attention. I am thinking that if we could bring children outside to explore a variety of sounds in the natural environment of our community, it would be a great opportunity for them to start thinking about sounds. -Sherry

Menaka

2025-01-21 21:05:39 UTC

Since one of the prompts for our walk was to "look up as well as down", I was consciously looking up at the tall trees. Katie pointed out that this tree is an evergreen tree, which means that it does not lose its leaves. Katie also explained how evergreen trees are particularly habitable for animals in the winter since they retain their needles. This made me think about doing an inquiry on trees as a method for long range planning in science.

Danielle

2025-01-21 21:06:19 UTC

The purpose of flora in winter

2025-01-21 21:08:52 UTC

I took this picture as we walked by, I wondered about the important role of flora, especially evergreens, during the cold winter months where food is harder to come by. How rare are plants like this when resources are scarce for animals in the wild? It is crazy to think about how delicate the balance of the ecosystem is, and how much impact a single type of plant can have on our environments.

Simon Lefever

2025-01-22 21:55:11 UTC

I took this photo as I was first curious how this flower could be growing in the winter. After getting close to the image is when I noticed it was not a real flower. It made be reflect on the things we add to the natural world potentially to enhance its appearance and why the person added this fake flower to what appears to be a rather sad winter garden. It is certainly something that brought a smile to my face on a cold winter day.

Nathalia a

Tree in the Window (Kelly)

2025-01-31 14:38:22 UTC

I took this picture as I was reflecting on the value being able to see nature from indoor spaces. Looking out the window in the library, the gym, at home, or in the classroom brings me a sense of calm and peace. Why is it that we feel such emotions looking out to nature?

2025-02-07 17:37:52 UTC

I took a picture of what I assume to be some dried hydrangeas in someone's garden. This caught my attention because numerous garden flowers lack the structural integrity to still stand during the harsh winters, especially with heavy snowfall. I became curious in looking into why hydrangeas are able to maintain their structure. I know they have a woodier stem, so I wonder if that is the main reason or if there is more to it.