Jessica

1) It was too cold to venture outside today (7F!), so I chose two of my indoor cacti for the comparison study. Even though I've owned these two plants for years, studying them in the context of the comparison study was very useful for noticing new details. I was surprised that the spikes on the two were actually opposite- the left plant seems more concerned with protecting from the top (w/larger, thicker spikes directed upwards) whereas the right cactus has it's largest spikes pointing down. I wondered if that might be due to different predators for each type of cactus. I learned that there is so much we don't truly "see" on a day to day basis.

I love how you captured the feathers on its back- I struggled with those!

1) I love how beautiful nature journals are, and I'd love to get back to painting. I abandoned watercolors over the last year as it all felt a bit too much, and nature journaling seems like a great way to pick up the skill again, at the same time as I focus on being more present in nature. 2) I enjoyed how all the artists had such distinct memories attached to their nature journals. My favorite styles were the ones that combined drawing, color, and words on the same page. 3) I think I might incorporate more growing seedlings in my nature journal, particularly during these winter months in the midwest when it's too cold (for me at least!) to sit still outside.