Cornell Hawks: An 11-year-old’s view
My daughter has been documenting the drama of the hawks featured in Cornell University’s red-tail nest cam. It was not an assignment, but something she’s done on her own initiative. There have been multiple revisions of some of the pages as she’s worked to get the details right in illustration and writing.
Last week we visited the campus and were there when the first chick fledged. She came home and finished the project. I think she’s done a really great job of capturing the highlights of the red-tail family’s journey! So I’m sharing the book here as a tribute to her diligence as well as to the impact of the cams as an educational experience.
Yes, there will be more to the story of the hawks, but this is probably where this particular book will leave it. She may go back and type the text and tweak here and there, but the substance is completed. I’m glad she stuck with it all the way to the end! It testifies to the impact learning and caring about something can have.
I’ve written about our real-life visits to the hawks on April 7 (at my other blog), May 12, May 27, and June 6. A few more thoughts and pics from June 6 are here. Our family has had a great time following them through the nesting season!
I’m submitting this post to the Outdoor Hour Challenge, to be published on the last day of June.
11 Comments
Ruth
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it!
Jeane
What an amazing project. I enjoyed reading her little book- such detail, and lovely drawings. If she writes more, you must share!
Cindi
What wonderful illustrations & a great story!! I, too, have been following the Cornell Hawks and the heron at Sapsucker Woods!! I hope your daughter continues her interest in nature…we need our young people to know how precious nature is…
susanc
What a wonderful achievement! She did a fabulous job and should be very proud! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
joan
Lovely art and story!
Janet
Thank you all! These comments are encouraging to the author!
SnowBunny
This was absolutely wonderful to read. Thank you very much for sharing!
julie
janet, thank you so much for all of your posts. i look at your blog every day for something new. i love your daughters story and illustrations. thank you for taking me out in woods and letting me enjoy nature through your eyes!
Janet
Thank you, Julie! I’m glad to “meet” you. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Wonderful, wonderful job on the book-writing and illustrations! Have you shared this with the lab at Cornell? I am sure they would love to feature it in some way in their publications. I read their Bird Scope magazine and their blog….I would love to see more people share her work!
Thanks for submitting your entry to the OHC Blog Carnival.
Janet
Thank you, Barb. Good suggestion.