Seasons change throughout the year because of the Earth’s tilt. Earth sits on an invisible access, and as it revolves around the sun, the amount of sunlight we receive in the United States changes. In winter, the U.S. gets less sunlight, and therefore we see cooler temperatures and changes in precipitation, animal behavior, and plants, shrubs, and trees. Signs of winter include:

● most grasses are brown—lying dormant for the winter to conserve water and nutrients

● frozen ponds/streams

● cozy squirrel nests

● trees with no leaves

● buds on trees/shrubs that will become

● new leaves or flowers in the spring

● temperatures are cooler/colder; people may be wearing hats and coats

● birds with fluffed up feathers

● dogs with thicker layers of fur

● snow

● holly bush with red berries