I quickly got up to see if this really was an owl and discovered it was a hawk. Thankfully, my camera was nearby and I was able to get some incredible photos of this stunning event as it unfolded!

As my husband and I watched, the hawk slowly appeared to become aware of us peering through the glass at it from a mere three feet away. We watched with astonishment until the hawk was fully facing us.

As you can clearly see, it then began to scold us, repeatedly, for seemingly endless minutes.

I was concerned it would fly into the glass and harm itself so I closed the drapes. A few minutes later, I heard a thump as it landed in front of the door. The hawk flew back to the railing before I could snap a picture. Eventually, it left the balcony for the backyard. A short while later, I noticed it in the front yard.  It then settled on a bench on our front porch for a short bit, before leaving our yard.

After engaging in a bit of research and sharing these photos with several friends, the consensus is that this was probably an immature red-tailed hawk. We live on a partially wooded three-acre lot and certainly spot this common hawk with regularity in our neighborhood, but I never expected to see one on my balcony scolding me so vociferously!

I know this incident certainly piqued my curiosity about hawks. Perhaps your students would enjoy learning about hawks or writing about my scolding hawk. We can only guess why it was scolding. Was it hungry, looking for its mother, upset I was taking its picture, with seeing us or its reflection? I’d love to hear what your students think.

I have not included an actual writing prompt so you can choose how to use this resource. Ideas include writing facts about hawks, listing reasons why it is scolding, or telling about one reason. There is an 8.5 X 11-inch photo, in color and in black and white, along with two student writing pages with different writing lines. You can display the large photos as the prompt and use any writing paper or choose and copy a student page. Enjoy this free Hawk Writing Prompt!

Read About Red-Tailed Hawks

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We live in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, close enough that it is an easy day trip to the Shenandoah National Park. We enjoy going for the views, a stroll through the woods, and a picnic followed by blackberry cobbler at one of the lodges, several times a year. We were lucky enough in June to spot this one on a hillside along the Skyline Drive. I did not have my camera in hand but another family member was quick enough to snap this shot, which just in case you’re wondering was taken from within the safe confines of a car!

There’s just something alluring about bears… I collected stuffed bears and figurines for years (Somehow they’ve been replaced by flamingos!) so I couldn’t resist this set of adorable school bear clipart by Marie Cole Clipart. I have created several resources with this set including these free table signs, which can be downloaded from my TpT store.

Simply print, laminate, cut, hang, and enjoy!

These coordinating bold and simple School Bears Number Posters 0-20 keep the bear themed classroom decor going.

I love any activity which incorporates movement with learning. These Roam the Room number sense activities fit the bill and are perfect for Back to School or anytime.

School Bears Number Sense Activity 1-10
School Bears Number Sense Activity Teen Numbers 10-19

You might also enjoy these Table Signs for Learning.

And don’t forget to visit Big Meadows Lodge for their scrumptious blackberry cobbler. You can request it a la mode with blackberry ice cream!

Be sure to check out the Back to School ideas and resources on this Pinterest board!

The post Watch out for the bears! appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

He always insists on leading the way and setting the pace. Our path takes us past a small pond. Last spring and summer, a pair of Canada geese made this pond their home. Eventually, five or six goslings joined them. This spring, the pair of geese returned. Naturally, Gibbs is curious and veers towards them, wanting to check them out.

                         

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