     |
Here is a list of journal prompts I use to make my nature journal extra interesting.
Nature journal page ©Donna Long Sometimes the creative juices just aren’t flowing. I put together a list of some of the journal prompts I have used and some new ones I haven’t used yet. Be prepared this is a long list. The journal prompts on this page can be used as ideas for a few pages, a section or a whole journal. These topics can be used to inspire writing, drawing or taking photographs. What to watch, record or drawObserve and record: seasonal changes, animal behavior, plant life, sky (stars, sun, and moon), minerals, weather, signs before a storm, what plants animals eat, insect movements, the life and death struggle in a spider’s web.Create you own nature almanacThese journal prompts focus on recording the cycle of seasons and natural happenings we often don't notice. One activity I particularly liked, was following the movement of the rising sun on each solstice and equinox day. I never noticed that the sun rose in different places in the sky according to the season.Gather information from various sources of natural happenings for your area. Create a special almanac journal and use it year to year. Or you can record the information in a special section or sprinkle it throughout your nature journal. For each year record celestial events and seasonal happenings. Solstice and equinox dates, Harvest and Hunter moons, moon phases, meteor showers Evening and morning stars, hurricane season, tides, daylight saving time, All of this information can be found in almanacs such as the World Almanac, the Time Almanac or the Farmer’s Almanac. These are widely available in bookstores and libraries. Create a field guide to:your backyard, garden, neighborhood, local park, vacation spot, natural area or favorite tree or shrub.Answer the questions:These journal prompts focus on answering basic observation questions. Who, what, when, why and how.Who lives where? Who eats what? When are young born? Who raises the young? When does courtship and mating take place? Does the animal or plant change colors with the season? What are the prevailing winds, sun and shade patterns? Where are the areas where frosts collects or snow lingers? What are the maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall and drainage patterns? Create a top ten listThese journal prompts focus on listing. If you are a compulsive list maker like me, this is just what you need.List the most common, trees, butterflies, birds, insects, mushrooms, etc. in your area. What are your top ten favorite plants? Animals? What are the top ten most poisionous plants, animals, mushrooms? What are the top ten most aggressive birds? Insects? What are the top ten most common "weeds"? Pick a topic to write about.I think the most interesting or beautiful flower is....If I could be any animal, I would be … What sound/smells do you most associate with the current season? What would you like to know about in nature? What is the best thing about the current season? I can tell if it will rain/snow by … Write a fond memory related to the current season. ListAll the flowers in bloomAll the flowers of one color Signs of spring or summer or fall or winter All the insects, bugs, butterflies, spiders in your yard, garden, home, (yes home). Use the Square Foot (Meter) technique - mark of a square foot or meter and record the life in that small area. ThemesWith these theme oriented journal prompts, you can experiment with one journal or many. You can create personalized field guides or do in-depth research on one topic. These themes can be used for one entry, a few pages or entire journals.Focus on... Water, wetlands, waterfalls, lakes, ponds, streams backyard ponds and pools Weather - daily weather signs and changes, severe weather signs and changes Garden journal - record the plants and plant family studies, plantings, harvest, pests, birds, butterflies, seasonal changes, weeds, bloom dates and goings on in your garden. Native plants - record all the plants native to your area. Identify alien invaders and whether or not the harm the native plants. Insects and other crawlers - do in-depth studies of butterflies, moths, bugs, Seashore - tidal pools, shorebirds, seashells, beach plants, life in the dunes, the beach after a storm, the sky at night, tides, things washed ashore, endangered species Endangered species of your area - plants and animals Zoo and refuge animals native to your area. Winter or any of the other seasons. Mushroom and other fungi - What are the most common species? Which ones are edible? What are their growing conditions? Backyard birds - their numbers, favorite foods, favorite feed, nesting activity, water needs, migration patterns Trees - the common ones for your area. Who lives on or in them? When do they bloom? How are they pollinated? When and to what color do their leaves change? Which trees bloom or drop their leaves first? Travel - While travelling, keep your eyes open for nature happenings in new places. Research an area before arriving and find common characteristics between home and the new place. Rocks and minerals - What are your local soils made of? What color are the minerals,? Are there mines nearby? What is the environmental impact of mining in your area? Sky - Try charting the movement of the sun, moon and stars. Where does the sun rise on the solstices? Is the same place in winter and summer? On the equinoxes? Are the same stars over your house everyday of the year? Name the most common constellations. Which way is north? Mountains - What mountain range are they apart of? What are they made of? How do scientist think they are formed? What lives and grows on the mountains? Indigenous/Native American History - What Indigenous/Native Americans lived or live in your area? What are their histories and cultures? How is the way they live/lived on the land different from later residents.? What plants do they use? In our homes - Okay, we’ve seen bugs and insects crawling around our houses like they own the place. Who are they and what are they doing? Do they help or hind us? What is the mold growing on the basement wall?
Hopefully, this list of journal prompts helps to get your creative juices flowing. Brainstorming ideas has certainly given me fresh new ways to look at my nature journal.
From Nature Journal Prompts Return to Keeping a Nature Journal
|
