Nature
Nature Diary
Northern Oriole Northern Orioles (also known as Baltimore Orioles) had been sighted in parks around the city for a week or so and I had seen several. They are easily recognized orange-coloured black birds that whistle pure notes from the treetops. I had been trying for days to get a clear photo of one but, shooting at a distance from the ground up to their high perches, all of the photos taken had turned out blurry.
By Andrew Turnbull3 years ago in Earth
5 Reasons You Should Spend More Time in the Forest
On a sunny Saturday, where else do you go but the forest? That’s the consensus around here. If you’re going to live in British Columbia, you’re obliged to like the outdoors. There’s not much else here. Vancouver has its charms, but they only go so far. It’s what’s outside the city that makes it so appealing.
By Ryan Frawley3 years ago in Earth
My Little Happy Place
Can you feel it, calm, peace, serenity? Pulsing rhythm, blood and water, connected, steady beats. At one, calm as the sky meets the water, entwining, mirrored, reflected. Wind caressing your skin, flowing through your hair. Cool, soft, gentle caress upon your cheek, tingling the hairs on the back of your neck and into your inner being. Listening within, to that inner knowing, inner wisdom, inner peace, inner triumph, inner depths of longing, dread, defeat. Can you hear it, that whispering sound calling to you from within?
By Crystal R. Hartman3 years ago in Earth
The Miracle of Pruning
He spoke and things became. Ever wonder about that? How the creator designed a mountain or a tree. What He said to elicit a hummingbird, a giraffe or a seahorse. I have wondered many times how He “crafted” the clouds. I highly doubt that scissors were involved. However, I am sure He smiles proudly when we embark on our own quest to be a creator. Especially when, we enthusiastically run with our scissors.
By Alice Vargas3 years ago in Earth
Theodore's Garden
I have spent the majority of my life living in urban settings. My mother would often move us from one apartment to another; it was a gypsy, nomadic lifestyle that didn't foster much in the way of nurturing roots. At one point we moved to a townhouse in Northern Virginia that had a small fenced-in backyard with raised garden beds that were completely overrun. The whole area was very run down and neglected; but my mother, who had very little energy for much other than working as a registered nurse, suddenly wanted to plant and clean up this tiny patch of earth. Our house was an utter disaster most days; but by God, that garden became an image of perfection.
By Breanna LaMonte3 years ago in Earth
Looking at the Weeds
I live in one of the flyover states, where there are more cows than people and we measure distance in miles not minutes. My commute to work is 14 miles (or 25 minutes) and I drive through one town of 500 people. I drive on highways with ditches full of weeds, grass, and mini fields of dandelions. Many of these plants are pests and get sprayed with pesticides in the summers to either kill or restrain them from spreading into fields. But where people see weeds, nuances, and annoyance, I see color, joy, surprise and life. I pick “weeds” and use them to create dyes for fabrics and yarns that I craft with. Plants are an incredible source of color for the fabrics I use when making gifts for family and friends and each piece created is truly unique.
By Liz Davelaar3 years ago in Earth
In the Garden of Succulents
From the moment I first laid eyes on them, I hated them. My mother insisted on filling our new garden with succulents. We had just moved across the world from China to California, and my casual dislike of the state soon turned to full blown disdain. At 12, I had never lived in this state, despite being born there, and being stripped of my home had started my teen angst early.
By Nami Okalu3 years ago in Earth