After reading the positive responses to my phenology article, I was inspired to continue the discussion. So many folks said that they wanted to start keeping some sort of journal of their land, their observations, or just to get outside and see more, so I decided to make a challenge to help even MORE people to do likewise! It will also be a good reminder to me to always keep my eyes and ears open and see all the beauty that is out here.

I'm excited about this. My previous attempt at starting a weekly challenge didn't gain much traction, but I'm not sad about it! I think its for the best, and besides--I'd much rather switch gears and encourage people to get outside and start seeing and hearing the beautiful creations that surround them than just type at a computer anyway.

So here's the idea. Every week, I'm hoping to publish a newsletter of sorts, showcasing people's observations of their land/life outside/things they've seen with their own eyes. You can document it any way you'd like, as long as it's in some sort of physical journal that you can keep revisiting every week. You don't have to be an amazing artist and you don't have to be a top biologist--you just need to be willing to get outside and to see, hear, smell, and feel some REAL THINGS that are out there.

If you need a bit of structure to get started, try checking out my phenology post. Then start with the weather. Record the day's highs and lows, maybe how the clouds look at the moment you are observing. Then, listen for birds. Don't worry if you don't recognize their calls! Just take the time to hear them. Are there any plants growing new growth? Are there any insects? How many living things can you find around you? What are your livestock doing? By this point, you're off and rolling...

You can make lists, sketches, poems, or make thumbprints on the paper with the mud oozing around your feet. Don't feel like the way I do my journal is the way you need to do yours...just have fun with it!

I tagged this post #homeschooling as well, because making phenological observations in a nature journal is a fantastic way to teach art, science and math in one cross-curricular swoop! I love teaching children how to slow down and really look at plants an animals, and this is a wonderful way to fan the flame of natural curiosity.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Go outside and take the time to observe and enjoy your land or a park nearby
2. Create some sort of physical journal entry, drawing, or documentation of your observations. Have fun with this! And don't worry, the featured post will not be chosen based on artistic skill. I just want to get people outside to see and hear and smell REAL THINGS.
3. Include a photo Proof that this is your original work as well as the date (must be created between the time this article was posted to post payout)
4. Include the tag #realthings
5. Upvote this post
6. Submit by adding a comment to this post with your entry or a link to your blog post with the entry

Optional but appreciated: Resteem this article so others can see it, have fun, and increase the prize pool!

EXAMPLE ENTRY

Proof photo (with bonus background ducks)

Journal entry from within the past week (this was yesterday!)

REWARDS

1. Every entry will be included in a weekly newsletter of your entries
2. Everyone who follows the guidelines and participates will be upvoted by me
3. One participant will be chosen to be featured and will receive half of the SBD earned from the challenge post.

So let the observations commence! I'm so excited to see what you all are able to find. Keep an eye out for our FIRST EVER newsletter of your submitted journal pages next week. :)

RESOURCES FOR NATURE-JOURNAL INSPIRATION

James Gurney: His daily art blog has been going steadily for years. Anyone interested in painting or sketching should spend some time browsing the riches of his website. Look long enough, and you'll start coming across his observations of people that he sketches as he goes.

Hannah Hinchman: I absolutely love the way that artist/naturalist Hannah Hinchman puts together her observations. I haven't been able to find a website for her, but the google search itself is inspiration enough!

John Muir Laws: His books on Nature Journaling are some of my absolute favorites, but his blog is full of good tips as well.

Clare Walker Leslie: I really enjoy the way she puts her observations of animals all crowded on the page.