Nature Net News
February 2005
It-Snow Wonder
"How
full of the creative genius is the air in which
[snowflakes] are
generated!
I should hardly admire more if real stars fell
and lodged on my coat."
Henry David Thoreau
| Dear
Readers:
Snow. Can you imagine anything more versatile? With snow you can make sculptures, build forts, admire it as artwork, eat a frosty treat (be careful!), even melt it for a scientific investigation. This month's Instant Expert and Nature Craft ideas lead you on an investigation of your own - delve into the world of the snowflake! Ever notice how quiet the world is after a snowfall? Enjoy the snow's transformative qualities by checking this month's Event Calendar for ideas then, explore your backyard, local park, or a Nature Net site today! Kathe
& Betsy |
The Inuit Eskimo language uses many different words for snow? Here are some fun examples:
- qanuk = snowflake
- kanevvluk = fine snow/rain particles
- natquik = drifting snow
- aniu = snow on ground
- muruaneq = soft deep snow
- nutaryuk = fresh snow
-
qanisqineq = snow floating on water
-
qengaruk = snow bank
-
utvak = snow carved in block
- navcaq = snow formation about to collapse
What to do this month:
Explore the ice of Madison's lakes
at Kites on Ice.
Look for ways animals are staying warm - remember some might be under the snow!
Watch for icicles.
Check out family events at area Nature Net sites!
Instant
Outdoor Expert:
You probably already know that
snowflakes are six-sided. But, did you know each snow flake forms
one of seven basic shapes depending on temperature and humidity? The
shapes include prismatic column, hexagonal column, hexagonal plate, flat
plate, cup, needle and dendrite. Find out more from Caltech's Prof.
Libbrecht on his Snow
Crystal webpage.
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
"Jack Frost can Nip &
Bite"
Keeping your little snow-bounder happy and free of frostbite can be easily
accomplished by dressing him in layers, making sure she comes in for a
warm-up at regular intervals, and watching for Frostbite's early warning
sign: Frostnip. Frostnip usually affects exposed skin and makes the
skin white and numb. Treat it by bringing your child indoors
immediately, removing wet clothing and immersing the affected body parts
in warm water until sensation returns. If you think your child is
suffering from Frostbite, which is characterized by white, waxy skin that
feels numb and hard, get him into dry clothing and seek medical
treatment. Remember not to rub frostbitten skin or warm it with
direct heat. More information is available from KidsHealth
for Parents.
Suggested Reading:
"The Snowy Day" by
Ezra Jack Keats
"Stranger in the Woods" by Carl R. Sams, et al.
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Upham
WoodsUpham Woods is the result of the amazingly far-sighted vision of two sisters from the Upham family. In 1941, when the United States was growing rapidly at the expense of its natural resources, Elizabeth and Caroline Upham decided to save their beloved childhood summer home from the hands of developers forever. These sisters laid the philosophical groundwork for Upham Woods with their stipulations of the land's use.
Today, if you visit Upham Woods you will find a model residential environmental education center, operated by the University of Wisconsin-Extension. The center sits on a prime location on the Wisconsin River, two miles north of the Wisconsin Dells, offering an excellent "river classroom" to study both the natural and cultural history of Wisconsin. The center rests on 310 total acres of forested land, including a 210-acre island called "Blackhawk Island." This island has been designated a state natural area and offers a beautiful example of a mature mixed forest featuring flora not commonly found in the area. The island also has tremendous sand stone caves formed during the ice age. It's definitely a "different view" when you climb through them!
Snow
CatchersTake a square piece of cardboard and tape a pencil or Popsicle stick to it to serve as a handle. Cover the cardboard with a piece of black (or other dark-colored) velvet or corduroy, securing the fabric with glue or tape. Take your Snow Catcher out during a flurry to catch a collection of beautiful snow flakes. Remember to bring a magnifying glass! Compare and contrast your snowflakes' designs... no two are alike! Do the outdoor conditions make a difference in what the snowflakes look like? What do they look like when it's relatively warm out? When it's crisp and cold? Or, when it's windy?
