You are not alone! I have so many nature study resources and the desire to do it, but I have had a hard time putting anything into practice. I was an indoor kid growing up so it has been hard to share with my children something I never had.
This spring I decided to just do something every week, even if it is small! My boys and I each picked one tree and one bird to study. One week, we go and study “our” tree: what has changed since the last time, what do we see now, etc. We take notes, and eventually we will draw. One of my boys picked a plum tree which will be fun to watch all summer; my other son chose a deciduous tree which will have fewer changes; I chose an evergreen tree which I have already learned much about!
The next week we take notes about the one bird we chose: my boys picked the Baltimore Oriole and I chose the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. We just take simple notes about their behaviors. I’m sure we will also try a drawing eventually, too.
This is not as involved as other nature study I have seen, but it has given me enjoyment as well as satisfaction knowing we are doing something every week. This takes the pressure off nature walks; we can just ramble and enjoy without my having a set plan.
We live in Wisconsin, so I appreciate your wish to get out and enjoy! I also hope to carry this throughout the winter, though, as I think it will be very doable.
Best wishes to you!