Upload
others
View
7
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Dis
covering
Secrets
your name
date
Name of park
���������
�� �
���
���������
�� �
���
���������
�� �
���
���������
�������
����������
Wood VioletWisconsin’s State Flower
American toad
yellow jacket
flicker feather
cicada nymph
trap door spider
field cricket
raccoon track
Wisconsin State Parks, Forests, Trails, and Recreation Areas
�����
����
������
�����
����
������
Have fun! Explore! collect a patch!Look at all these things you can do. Pick something and do it!
Flashacodetoafirefly(page3).Foolacricket(page4).Searchforinsects“talking”(page5).Detectpuzzlingpatterns(page7).Findnumb3rsinn8ture(pages8-9).Exposethesecretidentitiesofbirds(pages10-12).Explorethemoon(page14).Watchthemoon’sphases(page16).Untanglethemysteriesofspiders(page17).WitnessWisconsin’swonders(pages20-23).Findthehiddenanimals(page24).Hideyourselfatyourcampsite(page25).Readamilkweedplant(page26).Lookatlichens(page27).
To earn a patch: Complete7to14oftheexplorationslistedabove.Attendanatureprogramortakeanaturehike.Pickuplitter,sharenaturediscoveries,orrideabikeandwalkmore(seepage27).Fillouttheevaluationformwithagrown-up(foundoncoloredinsertofthisbooklet).
To receive your patch (choose one method):Giveyourevaluationtoaparkstaffpersonandtellhim/herwhatyoudid.VisittheWisconsinExplorerswebsite.Goto<www.wiparks.net>andlookfor
“WisconsinExplorers.”Completeandsubmittheevaluationformfollowingthedirectionsonthewebsite.Thepatchwillarrivebymailin2-4weeks.
Mailtheevaluationform,yournameandaddress,andaletterorjournalentrytellingaboutyourexplorationsto:WisconsinExplorersProgramPR/6,DepartmentofNaturalResources,P.O.Box7921,Madison,WI53707.Thepatchwillarrivebymailin2-4weeks.
For more information, call (715) 365-8966 or email [email protected]
The Wisconsin Explorers program is an interpretive program of the Wisconsin State Park System madepossiblebythegeneroussupportoftheNaturalResourcesFoundationofWisconsinandthefollowingdonors:BongNaturalistAssociation,FriendsofBuckhornStatePark,FriendsofDevil’sLakeStatePark,FriendsofHartmanCreekStatePark,FriendsofInterstatePark,FriendsofKettleMoraine,Inc.,FriendsofKohlerAndraeStatePark,FriendsofNewGlarusWoodsStatePark,FriendsofRockIslandStatePark,FriendsofWhitefishDunesStatePark,MenashaCorporationFoundation,R.D.&LindaPetersFoundation,andoneverygenerousanonymousdonor.
Wisconsin Explorers - Discovering Secrets (Ages 9+up)© 2008 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - PUBL-PR-477 2014
WrittenanddesignedbyBethMittermaier
Borrow an explorer Pack!
Askparkstaf
fforapack
filledwith
exploringtoo
lsandbooks
.
3© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
crack the codeIfyou’vebeenaroundpets,youknowthatanimalscommunicate.Dogssniffeachother,birdssing,catsrub,andguineapigswheek.Insectscommunicate,too.Theyusesounds,touches,chemicals,andvisualcluestorecognizeotherinsects,defendtheirterritories,andattractmates.Insectcommunicationisn’talwayseasytounderstand,becausesometimesinsectscommunicateinsecretcodes.Tryreadingthissentence: Nscts hv t cmmnct. Frfls flsh lghts, crckts mk chrpng snds, nd stnk bgs smll bd. Onceyoufigureoutthecode,it’snotthathard.(Hint:somethingismissing.)Readaheadtostartexploringthewaysfireflies(thispage)andcrickets(page4)talktoeachother.
Flash a codeGetasmallflashlight(anLEDisperfect).Gotoatallgrassmeadoworforestatdusk.Watchthefireflies talkforawhilebeforeyoutrytojoin.Doyouseeanyoftheflashpatternsshownbelow?
think about it!Ifatoadatealotoffireflies,woulditglow?
Malesareflying;femalesareontheground.Itmightbemorefunto“fly”aroundandpretendtobeamale,butitwillbemoreinterestingtositinthetallgrassandbeafemale.Watchafemaleinthegrass,thenimitateherflashcode.Pointyourlightdownintothegrass.Ifyourlightistoobright,coveritwithaleaf.Ifyouarereallygood(andlucky),amalefireflywilllandonyourflashlight!
Differentspeciesoffireflieshavedifferentflashcodes.Thecodesdifferbycolor,lengthofflash,pattern,speed,andtimebetweenflashes.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)4
Find out MoreTohearrecordingsofinsects,visitSinging Insects of North America <http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/walker/buzz/>Tolearnadifferentwaytomakecricketsounds,check out the book MouthSounds byFredNewman.
Fool a cricketTofoolacricket,youwillneedtospeak cricket.Youcan:
Openandcloseahingeorsomethingthatmakesahigh-pitchedsqueak.
Whistleacricketsoundbysuckinginshortburstsofairwhilelettingyourthroatvibrate(likeyou’resnoring).
Playafluteorrecordersoitsoundslikeacricket.
Rubafileagainsttheedgeofametalcan,orrubyourfingernaildowntheteethofacomb.
Findsomecricketscalling.Fieldcricketsusuallycallfromgrassyplacesbothdayandnight.Treecricketsusuallystartcallingfromtreesandshrubsafterdark.Asyouapproach,theywillstop.Sitdownanddon’tmove.Howlongdoesittakeforthemtostartcallingagain?Makeasmallnoiseandtheystop.Nowtryyourcricketcall.Dotheyanswer?Keepadjustingyourcalluntilitworks.Whileyouarelistening,youmightnoticethatsomemalecricketsmakethreekindsofcalls:
Callingsong-fairlyloud;attractsfemalesandtellsothermalestostayaway.
Aggressivechirp-loud;warnsnearbymalestogetoutofitsterritory.
Courtingsong-quiet;invitesnearbyfemalesto mate.
chirpingAmalecricketcallsbyliftinghiswingsandrubbingthemtogether.
femalefieldcricket
malefieldcricket
Tellthestory.Didyoufoolacricket?
ovipositorusedforlayingeggs
5© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
search for insects “talking”Firefliesusevisualcommunication(light),andcricketsusesound.Otherinsectsrelyontouchorchemicalstocommunicate.Asyouexploreforests,meadows,andwetlands,lookfortheinsectsonthispage.Checkthemoffasyoufindthem.Canyoufindfourinarow,fourinacolumn,allfourcorners,orallofthem?
Touch visual chemicalSound
stink bugGivesoffastrongsmellwhenthreatened.
grasshopper(male)Rubsitslegagainst its wing to make raspysounds–tellingothermalestostayoutofitsterritory.
cicada(male)Vibratestymbals(drums)onitsabdomento call to females.
mosquitoBuzzeswingstoannoypeople(notreally,but it seems thatway).
antIdentifiesotherantsby touching them with its antennae.
honeybeeShowsotherbeeshowtofindnectarbydancinginthedarkhivewhiletheotherbeestouchit.
fireflyFlashes light signals tofindamate.
tigermothMakeshigh-pitchedsoundsthatconfusebatstryingtocaptureit.
swallowtail caterpillarSticksastinkyforkedscentgland(osmeterium)outofitsheadwhenattacked.
ladybirdbeetleOozessmellyliquidfromitslegswhenattacked.
cecropiamoth(female)Releasesstrongodor(pheromone)thatattractsmalesfrommiles away.
molecricket(mother)Recognizesheryoungintheirundergroundhome by touching them withherantennae.
dragonflyDisplaysbrightmetalliccolorstoattractamate.
underwingmothSpreadsitswingstorevealbrightunderwingsandlargeeyespots–scaringoffpredators.
whirligigbeetleFeelstheripplesonthewatermadebyotherwhirligigsastheyallswimintightcircles.
bumblebeeUses yellow and blackcolorstowarnpredatorsofitsstinger.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)6
Try Morse CodeInsectsaren’ttheonlyanimalstocommunicatebysecretcodes.LongbeforetheInternetorcellphoneswereimagined,peopleallovertheworldtalkedtoeachotherusingMorsecode.YoucancommunicatewithMorsecodebyusingaflashlight,tappingonsomeone’shand,orevenblinkingyoureyes.
Herearesomethingsyou’llneedtoknow:Thealphabetismadeupofdotsanddashes.Onedashisequaltothreedots.Thatmeansadash
should last as long as the time it would take to signal threedots.
Betweenletters,pauseforthetimeofthreedots.Betweenwords,pauseforthetimeofsevendots.
decode these jokesWhathas6legs,bites,andtalksincode?
X - - - - - - X - X XXX X - - X - XX - XX - - - -
Whydobeeshum?
XX - X - - - X - X - - X - - - - - XXXX X X - - - - - X - X - XX XXX
Whatgoes“zzub,zzub,zzub”?
- XXX X X XX - X X - XX - X - - XX - X - - X - XXX X - - X - X - X - X - - X - X - X - XX XXX
Whatdidonefireflysaytotheother?
- - X - - - - - - - - - - X X - XX - - - X - - - X - - - X - -
bUZZ IN OTHER LANGUAGESOfcoursebeesbuzz.Butifyouspokeadifferentlanguage,beesmightnotbuzz. . . German summ summGreek zoum zoumSwedish buzz buzzJapanese boon boonHungarian bzzz Italian zzzz Russian zh-zh-zhSpanish bzzz Turkish vizzz
Icrackedtheinsectcommunication
code by . . .
Flashingacodetofireflies.
Foolingacricket.
Searchingforinsects“talking.”
A B C
D E F
G H I
J K L
M N O
P Q R
S T U
V W X
Y Z
X - - XXX - X - X
- XX X XX - X
- - X XXXX XX
X - - - - X - X - XX
- - - X - - -
X - - X - - X - X - X
XXX - XX -
XXX - X - - - XX -
- X - - - - XX
7© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
detect puzzling patternsFromtreeringstoturtleshells,nature’spatternsarebothbeautifulandperplexing.Whydothingsformpatternsastheygrow?Isthereasecret?Istheirgrowthpredictable?
Look for designs in natureWalkaroundthecampground,visitthenaturecenter,orhikethroughtheparklookingforpatterns.Didyoufindanyofthepatternsdescribedonthispage?Writeaboutordrawpicturesofthepatternsintheboxesbelow.
spiralpatternsLookforsnailshells,galaxies,sunflowerseedheads,spiderwebs,andcurledupmillipedes.
compactpatternsNaturetriestomakethebestuseofspace.Lookfortight-fittingpatternsinhoneycombs,flowerseedheads,andpinecones.
explodingpatternsYoucanfindpatternsthatreachoutinmanydirectionsbylookingatseedheads,mushroomgills,coniferneedles,androsettes(likedandelions).
overlappingpatternsAnimalsdependontheirbodycoveringstoprotectthemfromwind,rain,andcold.Lookforoverlappingpatternsonfish,birds,andreptiles.
__________patternsDrawpicturesordescribeotherpatternsyousee.
branchingpatternsAslivingthingsgrow,theymaybranchout.Lookatthearrangementsofleavesonatwig.Checkoutlightningboltsandbarkbeetlecarvings.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)8
Finding numb3rs in n8tureSomeofthepatternsyoufindinnaturearemorethanjustartisticandperplexing.Somepatternsseemtofollowmathematicalequations.Ifyougolookingfornumb3rsinn8ture,youwillfindthem!TakeFibonacci(FEEbuhNAWchee)numbers,forexample.IntheFibonaccisequence,eachnumberafterthefirsttwoisthesumoftheprevioustwonumbers.
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .
Startlookingforthesenumbersinnature,andyouwillfindawholenewwaytoexploretheoutdoors.
Count flower petalsCountthenumberofpetalson5to10differentflowers.Trackyournumbersintheseboxes.CircletheFibonaccinumbers.DidFibonaccinumbersshowupmoreoftenthanyouexpected?
13petalsmarigold
Sketchflowerswithdifferentnumbersofpetals.Remembertotakecareofallwildflowers.Sketch,don’tpick!
3petalsiris,lily,trillium
5petalsviolet,buttercup,rose,columbine,milkweed
8petalscoreopsis,delphinium
Drawflowersyoufoundwith4,6,7,or9petals.ThesearenotFibonaccinumbers.
21petalsblack-eyedsusan,chicory,aster
34,55,or89petalsplantains,daisies,asters,sunflowers
9© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
Eat some fruitDotheflowersofallediblefruit-bearingplantshavefivepetals?Cut an appleinhalfthroughthemiddle. What doyousee?Surprised?
check out spiralsFibonaccinumbersalsoshowupinthenumberofspiralsfoundonseedheads(likesunflowers)andpinecones.Findapineconeandlookatitfromthebottom.Countthenumberofspiralsgoingfromthecenterofthecone(whereitattachedtothetree)totheoutsideedge.Countthespiralsinbothdirections.TheresultingnumbersareusuallytwoconsecutiveFibonaccinumbers.Intheexampleshown,thereare8clockwisespiralsand13counter-clockwisespirals.Canyoufindapineconethatdoesn’tfollowthispattern?
Find out moreBy Nature’s Design byPatMurphyIfyoulikemathandwanttolearnmore,visitFibonacci Numbers and the Golden Section (ProfessorRonKnott’swebpage)<www.maths.surrey.ac.uk/hosted-sites/R.Knott/Fibonacci>
Isearchedandcounted.IthinkFibo
nacci
numbersare...
Absolutelyamazing!
AbizarrecoincidencethatisWAY
overrated.
Idetectedpuzzlingpatternsby... Lookingfordesignsinnature. Countingflowerpetals. Checkingoutthespiralpatternsonpinecones. Lookingatapplesandotherediblefruits. Eatingpineappleandasparagusaftercountingthespirals!
Think about it!Natureiscomplicated.Ifyoulooklongenoughyoucanfindexceptionstoeveryrule.Justspendsometimelookingforafour-leafclover.Youknowthatmostclovershavethreeleaves.However,ifyouarepatientandlucky,youwillfindafour-leafclover.Thesameistrueofotherpatternsinnature.Ifyoulooklongenough,youwillfindaplantoranimalthatbreakstherules.Itmighthavetoomanypetals,growtootall,orbethewrongcolor.That’swhatmakesnaturesoexciting.Nomatterhowmuchyousee,thereisalwayssomethingnewtoexplore.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)10
Expose the secret identities of birdsHey,whatjustflewby?Diditlooklikeabirdyouhaveseenbefore?Whatcolorwasit?Howbigwasit?Didithavestripesorspots?Asyoulearntoidentifycommonbirds,you’llgetbetteratnoticingthesedetails,butfirstyouhavetogetcloseenoughtoseethem...
find a BirdYou’veheardthattheearlybirdgetstheworm.It’salsotruethattheearlybirder(birdwatcher)seesthebird.Mostbirdsareactiveintheearlymorningastheylookforbreakfast.Moveslowly,talksoftly,wearearth-coloredclothes,walkwiththesunatyourback,andlookforaplacetositdownandwatch.Remembertogivethebirdsspace.Watchfromadistanceanddon’tdisturbnestsornestingbirds.
Field NotesWhenyoufindb
irds,usethesetrickstoget
themtocomecloser.Don’t
overuse
thesetricks.Duringnesting
season,coldspells,extreme
heat,anddroughts,birds
mustusealltheirenergyto
survive.Theydon’tneeda
birdwatcherdistracting
themfromfindingfoodand
avoidingpredators.
Trythe‘kiss’method
You’renotreallykissingthe
m!Youareimitatingthesou
ndsbirdsmakewhen
theyareintrouble.Sometim
esbirdscomeclosetoseew
hat’sup.Whenyoukiss
forbirds:• Makethesq
ueakypartofthekiss.Don
’tletyourlips“pop.”
• Trykissingdifferentparts
ofyourhandtomakediffe
rentsounds.Startwith
asoftsoundbykissingthek
nucklesofyourfist.Ifthatd
oesn’tworktrythe
backofyourhand.Tomake
theloudestsound,kissthep
almofyourhand.
• Trytosoundlikeasmall
birdchirpingorarodentsq
ueaking.
• Makeeachsqueakthree
tofivesecondslong.Waitatleastam
inutebefore
squeaking again.
Pish Ifyou’renote
xcitedaboutkissingyourha
nd,trypishing.Withyourteeth
together,gentlyblowairou
t.Whileyoublow,openandclo
seyourlips.Youcan
makethe“pish”soundsoft
orloudbyadjustingtheam
ountofairyoublow.You
canchangethepitchbyma
kingyourlipstightorloose
.
Makeahomemadebirdcal
l
Taketwopopsiclesticks,a
wide
pieceofgrass,andarubber
band.Putthegrassbetween
thepopsiclesticks.Wrapthe
rubberbandaroundoneen
d.
Blowonthesideofthecall
likeaharmonica.Youmight
havetoseparatethepopsic
le
sticksjustalittle.
Iexposedthesecretidentitiesofbirdsby...Takinganearlymorningbirdwalk. Kissingorpishingforbirds. Makingapopsiclestickbirdcall. Sketchinganunfamiliarbird. StartingalifelistofthebirdsI’veseen.
11© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
sketch a birdWhenyouseeabirdyou’veneverseenbefore,watchitclosely.NoteallthethingsmentionedintheField Notesonpage12.Drawandlabelapictureofthebird.Makenotesaboutitscolorsandmarkingssoyoucancoloritlater.Writedownwhatthebirdwasdoing.
Birds’bodiesaredrawnaroundtwoovals.Theovalschangesizeandpositionbasedonthetypeofbird.Lookattheexamples,thenstartsketching.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)12
Field NotesLookatthebird,notatthebook!Ifyouarefortunateenoughtohaveafieldguidetobirds,trynottouseitrightaway.You’lllearnmoreaboutbirdsbywatchingandsketchingthemfirst.Askyourselfthesequestions:
Howbigisit?Isthebirdsmalllikeachickadee,medium-sizedlikearobin,orlargelikeacrow?
Whatareitsfieldmarks?Birdersknowthatthecolors,stripes,andotherfieldmarksonabirdwillhelpthemidentifyit.Startattheheadandworktowardthetail.Askyourselfthesequestionsandremembertheanswers:•Doesthebirdhavestripesonitshead?Aroundtheeyes?Whatcoloristhecrownofitshead?• Isthebillshortorlong?Thinorthick?• Isthebird’sbreastplainorstreaked?Whatcolorisit?•Dothewingshavebars?Arethewingtipsadifferentcolor?• Isthetaillongorshort?Doesitfork?Aretherebarsacrossthetail?
Whatisitdoing?Isthebirdwadinginwater?Walkingupatreetrunk?Doesitbobitstailupanddown?Isitaloneorinaflock?
Bird Date&placeIsawitAmericanrobinEuropeanstarling*YellowwarblerCommonyellowthroatSongsparrowNortherncardinalRed-wingedblackbirdCommongrackleBrown-headedcowbirdAmericangoldfinchHousesparrow**ThesebirdsarenotnativetoWisconsin.
Bird Date&placeIsawitCanada goose MallardGreatblueheronTurkeyvultureRed-tailedhawkGreathornedowlMourningdoveBluejayAmericancrowTreeswallowBlack-capped
chickadee
bill
tail
crown
eye/eyestripe
Start a life listBirderskeeptrackofallthebirdstheyhaveeverseen.Startyourlistwiththesebirds.TheyarefoundalloverWisconsin,butitmightnotbeeasytofindalloftheminonesummer.
cheek
back
belly
rump
breast
throat
wing
13© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
Solve a puzzleAtangramisanancientChinesepuzzle.Copyortracethisbigsquareontoapieceofpaper.Cutout along the solid lines. Arrangethepiecestomakethebirdsshownhereandmanyotheramazingfigures.
Bird Date&placeIsawitTrumpeterswanAmericanblackduckOspreyNorthernharrierSolitarysandpiperWhip-poor-will
Bird Date&placeIsawitRed-headedwoodpeckerWoodthrushHoodedwarblerFieldsparrowEasternmeadowlark
Spot rarer birdsIfyouwantachallenge,tryspottingsomeofthesebirds.ScientistsputthesebirdsontheSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed(SGCN)listbecausetheirpopulationsarelowordeclining.Tofindthesebirdsyouwillhavetobeattherightplace(habitat)attherighttime.Theyarenotimpossibletofind,buttheyaren’tlistedasSGCNfornothing!
find out moreIfyoustartfindingbirdsthataren’tontheselists,youneedabetterlist!Askforabirdchecklistattheparkyouarevisiting.Someparkshavefieldguidesyoucanborrow.Visit<dnr.wi.gov>andseachfor“Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail”forastatewidechecklistandregionalviewingguides.Tolearnaboutbirdsongs,checkoutBird CallsbyFrankGallo.ToreadsomeAfricanfolktales,tryWhen Birds Could Talk and Bats Could Sing byVirginiaHamilton.Forrelaxingmusic,listentoSongbird Symphony,byNorthWordPress.TofindoutaboutJohnJamesAudubon,readThe Boy Who Drew Birds by JacquelineDavies.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)14
Explore the Moon Inourworldofstreetlights,nightlights,headlights,andspotlights,wehardlynoticethemoonanymore.It’sfuntogetawayfromthelightswhileyouarecampingandtakesometimetoexplorethemoon!
Observe earthshineLookforthecrescentmoonnearthehorizonatsunset.Canyouseetheghostlyshapeofthefullmoon?LeonardoDaVinciwasthefirstoneto
realizethatthisglowwascausedbyearthshine(sunlight
reflectedoffoftheearthontotheunlitportionofthemoon).
discover cratersIfyouhavegoodeyesightandaclearnight,youcanseethemoon’scraters.Apairofbinocularsletsyouseesmallercratersandcratersinsidecraters,formedwhenmeteroids,asteroids,andcometshitthe moon. Whenthemoonisfullandlookslikeaflatdisk,itisagoodtimetolookattheraysthatradiatefromcraters.Themostrecentcratersaresurroundedbybrightrayscreatedwhenpowderedrockblastedoutwardfromtheimpact.Overtime,morethingswillhitthemoonandworkthispowderbackintothemoon’ssurface.Inthephotoonthenextpage,Tycho,Aristarchis,andCopernicusareyoungcraters.
find out moreDot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon by JoanMarieGalatHow the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet RuthHellerCheckoutspaceonlineatAstronomy for Kids <kidsastronomy.com>
LeonardoDaVinci’sdrawingofearthshinefromthe1500s.
Iexploredthemoonandsaw... Tycho Earthshine The
terminator! Ancientrocks
Craters Seas Rays Seaof
Serenity
Check out old and new rockThemoon’ssurfaceismadeupofbrightanddarksplotches.Thebrightareasareplaceswherethemoon’sancientcruststillexists.Thedarksplotchesareplaceswherelavahaseruptedfrominsidethemoon,flowedoverthesurface,andformednewerrock.Peopleoncethoughtthesedarkareaswereseas.
Locate the TerminatorBefore,during,andafterthequarterphases,thesun’srayshitthemoon’ssurfaceatanangleandmakelongshadows.Thisisagoodtimetolookatcratersintheterminator(thelinethatseparatesthelit and unlit sidesofthemoon).
Galileo Galilei’s drawingofthelastquartermoonfromthe1600s.
terminator
15© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
name that craterScientistsnamedalmosteverynook,cranny,crater,and“sea”forsomebodyorsomething.Theynamedcratersafterfamousscientistsandseasafterweathereventsorstatesofmind.Butdon’tletthatstopyourcreativity!Whatifyouwereinchargeofnamingthingsonthemoon?Whowouldyouhonor?Whatshapesanddesignsdoyousee?Findaplacewhereyoucanseethemoonandfinishnamingthelandmarksonthisphoto.Afewlineshavebeenaddedtogetyoustarted.
Aristarchis
SeaofSerenity
SeaofCrisis
SeaofTranquility
Tycho
Copernicus
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)16
Watch the MoonItshouldn’ttakeadetectivetofindthemoon.Youjusthavetoknowwhereandwhentolook.Themoonalwaysrisesintheeast,followsthepathofthesun,andsetsinthewest.Watchforonemonth.Canyoufindeachofthesephases?
Iwatchedthemoonforawholemonth.Thethingthatamazedmethemostwas...
(Can’tseeit)NewMoon
Phase Lookslike Whenandwheretolook Dateyousawit
Risesatsunriseandsetsatsunset.
Waxing Crescent
Risesinthemorningandsetsintheevening.
FirstQuarter
Risesaroundnoon,ishighintheskyatsunset,setsaroundmidnight.
Waxing Gibbous
Risesintheafternoon,ishighintheskyintheevening,setsbeforedawn.
Full Moon
Risesatsunsetandsetsatsunrise.
Waning Gibbous
Risesintheeveningandsetsinthemorning.
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Risesbetweenmidnightandsunriseandsetsintheafternoon.
Risesaroundmidnightandsetsaroundnoon.
9
17© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
untangle the mysteries of spidersWhydon’tspidersgetcaughtintheirownwebs?Howdoesaspiderwithpooreyesightcatchanything?Doallspidersspinwebs?Canyousay,“Wisespiderswillweavewebswonderfullywell,”fivetimesreallyfast?Trysomeofthesuggestionsonthispagetodiscoverafewspidersecrets. Find a webWebsareeasiertofindinthemorningwhentheyarecoveredwithdew.Websalsoshowupbetterinthemorningandeveningbecausethesunisn’trightoverhead.Differentkindsofspidersspindifferentkindsofwebs.
Go on a nighttime spider safariGrabaflashlightandagrownupandheadoutsideafterdark.Gofarawayfrombrightlights.Puttheendoftheflashlightonyourforehead-rightbetweenyoureyes.Startlookingaroundinthegrassandbushesfortinysparklinglights.Those“lights”arespidereyesreflectingthelightofyourflashlight.Besuretoshinethelightstraightoutfromyourhead.Don’tmovetheflashlight-moveyourwholehead.Oruseaheadlamp!
Find a spider shedTogrowbigger,aspidermustsheditsexoskeleton(hardoutsidecovering).Everytimeitmolts(shedsitsskin),itleavesbehindanemptyskin.Canyoufindone?
Read about spidersAnansi the Spider byGeraldMcDermottCharlotte’s WebbyE.B.WhiteThe Spider and the FlybyMaryHowitt
Trick a spiderCanyoufoolaspiderintothinkingthataninsectiscaughtinitsweb?Takeapieceofgrassandgentlytouchtheweb.Eithervibratethegrassgentlyorrollitbetweenyourfingers.Wigglethewebforafewseconds,thenrestforafewseconds.Repeat.Ifyoudoitjustright,thespiderwillcomechargingfromitshidingplace.Ifitdoesn’tworkthefirsttime,tryagainwithadifferentweb.
Feed a spiderFindalargewebthatlooksnew.Capturean insect like a grasshopperorcricket.Place the insect in thestickyspiralsoftheweb.Stepback and watch whathappens.Doesthespiderinjecttheinsectwithvenomfromitsfangs?Doesitwraptheinsectwithsilk?Howlongdoesittake?
orbwebLookintallgrassand woods.
funnelwebLookinrockpilesandfirewood.
cobwebLook in old buildings andontreetrunks.
trianglewebLookintrees.
sheet webLookinthegrass.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)18
abcdefghijklmnopq
rstuvwxyz! ,-
solve a puzzleExceptforhuntingspiders(likewolfspidersandjumpingspiders),mostspidersdon’tdependontheireyesighttofindandcaptureprey.SolvethispuzzlewritteninBrailletofindouthowtheyfindfood.Foranextrachallenge,turnthepaperoverandpressthebackofeachbolddotwithapenorpenciltomakearaisedbump.Canyousolvethepuzzlewithyourfingers?
Spin a webCanyouspinanorbweb?Thesizeofyourwebdependsonwhatmaterialsyoucanscrounge.Findsticks,poles,ortreesforsupports.Usethread,yarn,shoestrings,orropeforsilk.Takeitapartafteryoushowittosomeone.
a bcdefghijklmnopq
r stuvwxy z! ‘,-.?.
capital
spiders hunt by touch!.__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
1 Thespiderspinsoutapieceofsilkthatthebreezecarriestoanearbysupport.
2 Thespiderstrengthensthislinebylayingdownmoresilkontopofit.Thenshedropsdownonapieceofsilktoformthreerays.
3 Thespideraddsthemainframeofthewebandmorerays.4 Thespidercontinuestoaddraysuntilthedistancebetweenthe
raysissmallenoughtocross.
5 Startinginthecenter,thespiderlaysdownatemporarynon-stickyspiral.
6 Whenitreachestheoutsideoftheweb,thespiderturnsaroundandfollowsthenon-stickyspiralbacktothecenter.Asitgoes,iteatsthetemporaryspiralandlaysdownastickyspiral.
1 2 3 4 5
6
a hd
19© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
spiders hunt by touch!
FIELD nOTESNotallspide
rsbuildwebstocapture
theirprey.Hereare
threeweb-lesshuntersyo
umightfindatthepark.
crabspidersThesespider
scanwalkbackwards,
forwards,orsideways-ju
stlikeacrab.
Lookforthemhidinginfl
owers.
wolfspidersThesecomm
onspiders
arelarge.Lookforthem
walkingaroundduring
theday.Theyhavetwo
largeeyes,andtheirlegs
arealittlehairy.
jumpingspiders
Theycanreallyjump!
Sometimestheirsmallbo
dies
arebrightlycolored.They
havelargeeyes.
Iuntangledthemysteriesofspidersby...
Findingatleastoneweb-makingspiderandonehuntingspider.
Searchingforspidereyesafterdark.
Feedingaspider.
Sketchingorbuildingaspiderweb.
Weave a storyUsedrawingsandwordstotellaboutthespidersandwebsyoufound.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)20
Witness wisconsin,s (not so) Secret wondersTheSevenAncientWondersoftheWorldweretrulyamazing.Howmanycanyourfamilyname?Itwouldbegreattoseethoseamazingthings,butimpossible,sincemostweredestroyedordisappearedlongago.Wouldn’titbenicetohavealistofwonderfulthingsthatyoumightactuallybeabletoseeinonesummeroratleastinalifetime?Wisconsinisfullofamazingplacesandnaturalwonders.SomeareveryfamiliarliketheWisconsinDellsandDoorCounty.Othersarewell-keptsecrets.Herearesomelistsofthingsthatyouandyourfamilycandiscovertogether.PickalistandstartenjoyingWisconsin’sWonders!Whenyoufindsomething,checkitoffandwritedownwhenand/orwhereyousawit.
Seven Ancient Wonders of the WorldPyramidsofEgypt,HangingGardensofBabylon(destroyedbyearthquakes),StatueofZeusatOlympia(disapearedwithnotrace),TempleofArtemis(destroyedinAD262),MausoleumatHalicarnassus(someremainsinamuseum),ColossusatRhodes(destroyedin224BCearthquake),PharosofAlexandria(destroyedin13thcenturyearthquake).Wisconsin’s Historic WondersVisitthesestateparksandforeststoseesomeofWisconsin’sarcheologicalsitesandhistoricalstructureslisted on the National Register of Historic Places. Aztalan State Park 1 __________ alsoaNationalHistoricLandmark Prehistoricvillagestockade
Brule River State Forest 4 __________ Brule-St.Croixportage
Copper Culture State Park 3 __________ Prehistoricburialgrounds
High Cliff State Park 6 __________ Effigymounds
Peninsula State Park 8 __________ EagleBluffLighthouse
Point Beach State Forest 5 __________ Rawley Point Light Station
Roche-a-Cri State Park 9 __________ Prehistoricpetroglyphs
Rock Island State Park 2 __________ ThordarsonEstate Prehistoricandhistoriccampsites
Tower Hill State Park 10 __________ Leadshottower
Whitefish Dunes State Park 20 __________ Prehistoricandhistoricvillages
Wyalusing State Park 7 __________ Effigymounds
Wisconsin’s CCC WondersFrom1935to1942,theCivilianConservationCorps(CCC)hiredyoungmentorevitalizeAmerica’sforests.Theybuiltrusticbuildings,stonesteps,retainingwalls,towers,andotherparkfacilities.YoucanstillfindandenjoyevidenceoftheirhardworkatthesestateparksthatservedasCCCcamps:Copper Falls State Park 11 __________Devil’s Lake State Park 12 __________Interstate State Park 13 __________Pattison State Park 14 __________Peninsula State Park 8 __________Perrot State Park 15 __________Rib Mountain State Park 16 __________Wyalusing State Park 7 __________
21© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
Wisconsin State Park System SuperlativesVisittheseparks,forests,andtrailstoseethebiggestandbestthatWisconsinhastooffer!Highest waterfall __________ in the state 14
BigManitouFallsatPattisonStatePark
Oldest lighthouse __________ in Wisconsin 2
PotawatomiLighthouseatRockIslandStatePark
Largest state park 12 __________ Devil’sLakeStatePark
Oldest state park 13 __________ InterstatePark
Longest continuous bike __________ trail in the state 18 Mountain-BayStateTrail
Looks like the highest __________ hill in the state 16 RibMountainatRibMountainStatePark-Timm’sHillis
thehighestpoint,butRibMountainstandshigherabovethesurroundingterrain.
Highest point in __________ southern Wisconsin 17
BlueMoundatBlueMoundStatePark
One of the oldest inhabited __________ sites in the upper Midwest 19
RaddatzrockshelteratNaturalBridgeStatePark
Longest staircase __________ in a state park 9
303-stepwoodenstaircaseatRoche-a-CriStatePark
Highest sand dunes __________ in the state 20
WhitefishDunesStatePark
Longest tunnel __________ on a state trail 21
Three-quartermiletunnelontheElroy-SpartaStateTrail
2
Superior
Ashland
Rice Lake
HudsonChippewa
FallsMenomonie
EauClaire
Osseo
LaCrosse
Prentice
EagleRiver
Rhinelander
Tomahawk
11414
13
SturgeonBay
Manitowoc
5
20
8
3
6
Gills Rock
Sheboygan
Milwaukee
RacineKenosha
Lake Geneva
Beloit
Janesville
Madison
BeaverDam
1
12
9
17
19
7
15
16
WausauAbbotsford
Marshfield
StevensPointWisconsin
RapidsAppleton
GreenBay
Oshkosh
Fond du Lac
Prairiedu Chien
Platteville
Dodgeville
Tomah
ViroquaRichland Center
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
10
21
18
Pembine
Find these Wisconsin Wondersonthemapbymatchingthenumberstotheplacenameson the lists.
Bayfield
Hayward
Grantsburg
Marinette
PortWashington
citystate park or foreststate trail
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)22
Wisconsin’s small wondersAmazingthingsdon’thavetobebig.Someofthemostamazingthingsinnaturearerightoutsidethetentflap!Daddy longlegs __________ Smellthemuntilyoufindonethatsmellslikepeppermint.
Doesithaveredspotsonitslegs?
Click beetle __________ Turnoneupside-downonahardsurface.Doesitclickto
turnitselfupright?
Spotless ladybird beetle __________ Canyoufindonethathasjustemergedfromitspupal
case?Itwon’thaveanyspots.Youcanwatchthemdarken.
Woodlouse (roly poly) __________ Amongallthepillbugsunderstones,canyoufindthe
onesthatcanrollthemselvesuplikearmadillos?
Ruby-throated hummingbird __________ Listenforit!Wisconsin’ssmallestbirdhumsbyfast.
Pygmy shrew __________ Lookunderlogsandinleaflitterforananimalthatisa
littleover3”long(includingitstail)andweighs2to4grams(sameas2to4paperclips).
Tadpole with legs __________ Itmuststillhaveatailtocount! lEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
WhenyouaresearchingforWisconsin’sWonders,youmayfindsomethingsyouwouldliketokeep.Remembertwothings:first,lawsprotectresourcesonstateproperties;andsecond,Wisconsiniswonderfulbecauseithasamazingnaturaltreasures.Leavethosetreasuresforotherkidstoenjoy,too.
Wisconsin’s Wonderfully Disgusting AnimalsHowmanyofthesestinkyanimals can you smell while visitingaWisconsinStatePark,Forest,Trail,orRecreationArea?Gartersnake __________ Smearsanoilymuskonpredators(andyou)when
handled.
Opossum __________ Oozesanasty-smellinggreenmucousfromitsanuswhen
playing dead.
Stinkpot (musk turtle) __________ Emitsafoulmusktoescapepredators.
Porcupine __________ Releasesapungentwarningodorwhenthreatened.
Turkey vulture __________ Pees on its own legs to cool down!
Striped skunk __________ Spraysblindingmuskindefense.
Stink bug __________ Releasesasmellyodorwhenhandled.
Multicolored Asian lady beetle __________ Oozesstinkyfluidfromitslegswhenstressed.
Grasshopper __________ Vomitsupbrownishliquidwhenhandled.
Swallowtail caterpillar __________ Displayssmelly“stinkhorns”toescapepredators.
Earwig __________ Squirtsfoul-smellingliquidwhendisturbed.
earwig
multicoloredAsian lady beetle
stink bug
23© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
__________________ Seven Natural wonders of wisconsinSitdownwithyourfamilyorfriendsandmakealistofyourfavoriteoutdoorplaces.Itdoesn’tmatteriftheyarepopulartouristattractionsoryourownsecrethideaways.Youcanlistplacesyou’vebeenorplacesyouwanttovisit.Labelyourfavoritespotsonthemaponpage21.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Iwitnessedthesecret(andnotsosecret)wondersofWisconsinby...Findingeverythingononeofthese lists. Seeing at least one thing on eachofthelists. Makingalistofourfavoritethings.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)24
Find the hidden animals
Looking like a plantMany insects lookliketwigs,leaves,andthorns.Findawalkingstick,treehopper,katydid,orotherinsectdisguisedasaplant.
ChangingcolorSomecrabspiderschangecolortoblendinwiththeflowersonwhichtheyhide.Snowshoehareschange coats with the seasons. Findacolor-changeanimal.
DisplayingcountershadingAnimalsthatliveinwaterandairareoftendarkaboveandlightbelow.Thiscolorpatternhelpstohidethemfrompredatorsattackingfromaboveandbelow.Findabird,frog,orfishwithcountershading.
BeingtransparentWhatbetterwaytohidethantobesee-throughlikeaphantommidgefloatinginthewater?Canyoufindatransparentanimal?
DressingupCaddisflylarvaehideinunderwatercasesthattheybuildoutofpebblesorplantparts.Findananimalthatmakesitshidingplace.
Looking disgustingGiantswallowtailcaterpillarslooklikebirdpoop!Findananimalthathidesbylookinginedibleorgross.
ActingWhen predatorsarenear,theAmericanbittern(bird)pointsitsbillupandswayswiththeplants.Canyoufindananimalthatusesitsbehaviortohide?
WearingcamoAnimalslikethethirteen-linedgroundsquirrelblendinbecauseofspots,stripes,andcolors.Findananimalthat is wearingcamouflagedfur,feathers,orscales.
BlendinginThecolorsofmanyanimalssimplymatchtheirbackgrounds.Lookforgraysquirrels,greenfrogs,brownsnakes,orotherblenders.
ThemostamazinghiddenanimalIfoundwas...
Animalshideforalotofreasons.Preyneedtohidefromhungrypredators.Predatorsneedtohidesotheycansneakuponprey.Tofindtheanimals,youhavetoknowsomeoftheirsecretsforhiding.Checkoffthesecretsyouuncoverasyouhikeinthepark.
25© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
Ifoundthehiddenanimalsby . . . LookingforanimalsinplacesIneverthoughtofbefore. Camouflagingmyselfatourcampsite. Sneakingupon
animals while camouflaged.
hide yourselfMostofthetechniquesweknowaboutgoodcamouflage,welearnedfromnature.Testsomeoftheseideasbycamouflagingyourselfatyourcampsite.Telloneadultofyourplanaheadoftime.Howlongcanyouremainhiddenbeforesomeonefindsyou?
BreakupyouroutlineUseclothesofdifferentcolorsorplantsstickingoutfromyourbodytohideyourhumanshape.
HideyourfaceUsefacepaint,charcoal,ormudonyourforehead,nose,cheekbones,chin,andears.Useirregularpatterns.Breakuptheshapeofyoureyeswithstripes.
ReduceglareTherearen’tmanyshinythingsinnature.Besuretohideyourbinoculars,eyeglasses,jewelry,orwatch.
FreezeinplaceIfyouthinkyouhavebeenseen,don’tevenblink!
Find AnimalsYoucanusemanyofthehintsdescribedonthelefttohelpyouhuntanimals.Whetheryouareusingacamera,binoculars,orhuntingequipment,youcangetcloserifyou...
Stick to the shadowsStayawayfrombrightlylitmeadowsandforestclearings.Walkalongtheshadededges.
StaylowandwatchyoursilhouetteDon’tletyourhumanshapebeoutlinedagainstthesky.
WatchyourshadowAsyougetclose,besureyourshadowdoesn’tfallon the animal.
EliminateodorAvoidcandy,gum,perfume,fragrantshampoos,andcosmetics.
Watch the windApproachananimalwiththewindinyourface,sothatyourscentiscarriedawayfromtheanimal.
Tapeaphotoormakeadrawingofyouinyourhidingplace.
© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)26
Decipher plant warnings
Idecipheredplantwarningsby... Searchingforozonedamageonmilkweedleaves.Checkingoutthekindsoflichensgrowingatthepark.
find out moreForalistofthingsyoucandotokeepozonelevelsdown,visitEEK!<dnr.wi.gov/eek/earth/air/you.htm>Milkweedleavesandlichensareonlytwobioindicators.Scientistsstudyamphibians,bacteria,aquaticinsects,fish,andmanyotherspeciestomonitorthehealthoftheplanet.Findouthowyoucanmonitorpopulationsandstudytheeffectsofglobalclimatechange.VisitJourney North <www.learner.org/jnorth/>andCitizen-based Monitoring Network of Wisconsin <wiatri.net/cbm>
verylittleozoneintheair
some ozoneintheair
alotofozoneintheair
Someplantsandanimalsareextrasensitivetopoorairquality,temperaturechanges,andchemicalsintheenvironment.Scientistscalltheseorganismsbioindicatorsbecausetheycanbeasignof(indicate)small changes that could affectlife(bio)onthe whole planet.
read MilkweedCommonmilkweedisabioindicatorofozoneintheairwebreathe.Whileozoneisagoodthingwayuphighintheatmosphere,itisabadthingclosetotheground.Badozoneformswhenpollutantsfromfactories,gasolineengines,andpaintfumesgetbakedinthehotsummersun.Milkweedleavesareexposedtobadozone24/7.Theozonereactswiththefood-producingcellsontheuppersurfaceofthemilkweedleaves.Itcausespolkadot-likeinjuries.Byrecordingthechangestosensitiveplantslikemilkweed,scientistscanmonitorlocalairquality.Lookformilkweedplants.Checkleavesonseveralplants.Lookatmilkweedgrowingnearroads.Doyouexpecttheleavesnearroadstoshowmoreorlessozonedamage?
common milkweed
Ifthepolkadotsyoufoundmatchallthecharacteristicsbelow,theyareprobablycausedbyozonedamage.Thedotsmustbe:smalllikeaperiod.blackordarkpurplish.onlyonthetopoftheleaves.missingalongtheveinsoftheleaves.
27© 2008 WI Department of Natural Resources - Wisconsin Explorers - discovering Secrets (Ages 9 and up)
Look at lichensLichensarealgaeandfungilivingtogether.Thealgaeprovidethefood;thefungiprovidethehabitat(bycatchingmoistureandprotectingthealgaefromwindandsun).Ifyoulookatacross-sectionofalichenunderamicroscope,youcanseethetinycellsofalgaesurroundedbyfungi.Whilelichensaretoughandslow-growing,mostarealsosensitivetopollutantsintheair.Inthemostpollutedareas,youwillprobablynotfindanylichens.Thekindsoflichensyoufind(anddon’tfind)tellyousomethingabouttheenvironmentalhealthofwhereyouare.Lookforlichensonrocks,trees,andsoil.Ifyoufindcrustose,foliose,andfruticoselichens,youareprobablyinanareawithoutmuchairpollution.
fungus
algae
morefungus!
Crustoselichensarenotverysensitivetoairpollution.Theyareflatandcrusty.
Folioselichensaresomewhatsensitivetoairpollution.Theyareleaf-like.
Fruticoselichensaremostsensitivetoairpollution.Theyareshrubbyormoss-like.
substrateTherock,bark,orsoilon which the lichen is growing.
Drawsomeofthelichensyouseeonahike.Givetheminterestingnames.Whatdothelichenstellyouaboutairpollutioninthepark?
find out more!Toidentifylichens,checkoutLichens of the North Woods by Joe Walewski.Ifyoulikelichens,youwilllovethewaterbearsthatoftenliveinsidethem.OntheInternet,goto<pathfinderscience.net>andsearchfortardigrades.
firedotlichen
moonglow lichen
Britishsoldiers
pixiecups
reindeermoss
shadow lichen
Printed with soy ink on recycled paper.
PUBL-PR-477 2014
GO!Get Out!
Get Outdoors! Wisconsin!Get moving! get energized! get a little dirty!
just . . . get out there and explore!
Wi sconsin
Explorer
Become a Wisconsin Explorer. Go to a nature program.Hike or bike a state trail.Recreate at a state recreation area.Go camping.Take a bird walk.Snowshoe or ski through a forest.Find a geocache.Ride a horse.Canoe or kayak down a river.Go fishing.
The grown-ups in your life need you to help them stay active as they get older. Spending time exploring nature with you will help everyone's health and fitness. Look for ways to get out! How many of these activities can you do together this year?
Wi s con
si n
Expl o
rer
Find out what's happening outdoors by visiting <www.dnr.wi.gov/eek/nature/season/calendar.htm>Find out about activities in the state parks by visiting <www.dnr.wi.gov/eek/nature/camp/index.htm>
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please call 608-266-0866 for more information.
Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesBureau of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707