On a recent hike, I watched a cooper’s hawk fly from the ground into a tree. When I returned to that spot almost thirty minutes later, this woodland raptor was still perched on a branch. Suddenly, she flew from the branch and chased a squirrel around a tree several times before dropping to the underbrush.

Although I frequently observe red-shouldered hawks, this was my first encounter with a Cooper’s hawk, a medium-sized woodland predator that is known for its speed and agility. They can easily maneuver around objects when they are hunting small birds and mammals. Charles Bonaparte named the species in 1828 in honor of ornithologist William Cooper. They are also known as chicken hawk, flying cross and striker.

Read about the Cooper’s hawk in the Audubon Field Guide and Cornell Lab.

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Hawks

I walk on the Big Creek Greenway which is located on a flood plain in suburban Atlanta. Recently, we had heavy rain, and I noticed after the flood waters subsided that sand covered large areas of the woodland floor. I’ve seen sand there before, but not this quantity. We usually think of sand in the desert or along an ocean, so why did I find it here? What do you think?

Then I recalled the lessons I taught about sedimentary rocks and sand to my young scientists.

Sand is comprised primarily of mineral particles and rock fragments when rock is broken down through weathering and erosion. The fragments are transported by wind and water.

Sedimentary rocks form when sediments and organic matter are deposited and then solidify and harden over time. The sediments form layers and may contain fossils. Sedimentary rocks are often found near bodies of water.

So, what do you conclude?

Some examples of sedimentary rocks (conglomerate, sandstone, quartz sandstone, shale, and limestone.)

Live Cam of Greenway

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Kinetic Sand

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Use natural phenomena to meaningly fill extra time or to jumpstart a conversation. I have shared many natural phenomena in previous posts that can be used at home or in your classroom. Search in the top right corner with the words, phenomena or phenomenon.

Young scientists learn to use their senses to describe the observable physical attributes (such as shape, size, texture, and color) of natural objects. Acquiring sensory vocabulary is an essential science skill. Let’s focus on texture, how objects feel to the touch.

A reptile’s skin does not stretch as they grow, so they shed their old skin for a new one that fits their growing body. Laminating preserves the delicate skin and permits young scientists to observe the patterns and feel the skin without tearing it. (See related post.)

Use the side of an unwrapped crayon to make rubbings and to identify the texture.

Watch full screen here.

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Snake Skins in my Science Lab

Textured Art

Bark

Feely Box

Fun Fact: To distinguish between nonvenomous snakes and pit vipers’ skins, find the anal plate which is the last belly plate and the beginning of the tail. Most nonvenomous snakes have a divided anal plate and a double row of scales from there to the tip of the tail. Venomous snakes have a single row of scales.

We’ve all seen those white, puffy trails in the sky left by jets, but you might not know that they are called contrails, short for condensation trails. When the hot, humid exhaust mixes with cold air, ice crystals form and a cloud trail is created. This phenomenon will not occur if the air is dry.

The sunset changed these contrails orange! It was quite a light show!

Watch full screen here.

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Crossing Contrails

Hellebores also known as Lenten roses bloom in late winter. These clump-forming perennials add a little beauty to the shades of brown that occupy my garden during the cold months. There are so many varieties from which to choose, and each year I try to add a new one. Deer have never chosen to eat the blooms or foliage, and they have survived unexpected drops in temperature. They are also a garden favorite because they require little maintenance and have a long blooming season.

Watch full screen here.