Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by you know how I feel
It’s a new day
What is nature? What is listening? Has it really been 3 weeks?
On Monday, I saw first hand the difference between single petal and multi-petal roses. In the evening, the inspiration from a new friend, my skill-set in programming and my interest in climate change all culminated in two ideas for my independent project.
On Tuesday, my two ideas became one. I also managed to arise before dawn and catch the sunrise near the beach (first photo above). Additionally, I heard a symphony of birds at the early hour that I had never heard outside my house before since I’ve never been up and out that early in the summertime. I also managed to attend my sit spot before the earliest meeting slot. There was a spider (second photo above) on the shingles of my house going about her breakfast.
On Wednesday, the backyard birds were my study along with the squirrels and the chipmunks. In the evening, I glimpsed what may have been sea snails and a crab carcass (third photo above).
On Thursday, I continued learning about birds: imitating a Cardinal’s call, seeing Blue Jays unable to use the now squirrel proof bird feeder and finding my new favorite bird species: White-breasted Nuthatch. It was the bravest of all the birds since it continued to fly to the feeder even though I was lying directly under it. (I think based on coloring, it’s a female nuthatch but I can’t be sure.)
On Friday, I possibly visited my first ever home state park and saw a variety of landscapes and creatures. My favorite were either the baby Canadian Geese who were unafraid of coming up very close to me or the quite large rodent that was very hairy and shook as it ran but I was unable to identify it since I never saw its head or face.
I feel as more time goes by, the less and less I do know and the more I wish to know. Also, given the summary of my week above, I find that I tend to focus on animals when observing nature which is probably human nature given that they are a visible size and move (our eyes are attracted to movement). True, one of our assignments this week was to focus on birds, but I would like to challenge myself to think and observe more outside the box in this upcoming week. This is in line with my first question from above: what is nature? I find that I tend to focus on what I can see rather than what I cannot. Even though I really like using my 20/20 vision and have come to see the birds at my sit spot, Canadian Geese and Red-winged Blackbirds as my friends, I want to challenge myself to come up with my own answer to: what is nature? (Although it seems like one of those questions one cannot answer.
This past week, during our meetings and on the topic of birds, I spent a lot of my time listening to what was around me. This weekend, I attended possibly my town’s first ever Pride March which was also a Black Lives Matter Protest. The line from one of our first introductory emails to the Paulson Initiative Summer Internship still rings in my hand: we don’t exist in a vacuum. I stood off to the side and several yards away from the crowd in order to better ensure my own safety during this Pandemic, but on the way there and while I was there, the question, what is listening, kept coming back to me. I’ve always thought of myself as a good listener, but to be honest, sometimes while I listen to the birds I get lost in my own thoughts that are quite unrelated to the moment at hand. In this country, there’s the 1st Amendment of Free Speech, so you’re supposed to be able to talk. But what’s the point in speaking up, if there is so much other sound that no one can hear you? What I have surmised; however, is one cannot talk and listen at the same time. I hope to explore this question further, perhaps in my nature journal.
Finally, I can’t believe it’s only been 3 weeks and there’s only 3 weeks left. I am eager to see what the rest of the internship has in store and hope to be able to seize every moment of it.
I’m glad that everyday brought new experiences in nature for you. I think your question, “what’s the point in speaking up, if there is so much other sound that no one can hear you?” is an important one. I’m interested in what you conclude. I wonder too if you can find an answer through listening to birds. Like us, I think they speak hoping to be heard. But what if there is too much noise? Do cars and construction and electric lines and lawn mowers stifle their voice. Do the birds stop singing? It makes me think about the last remaining bird of extinct bird species and how it probably sang a tune that could not be responded to. Very thought provoking post. Thanks.
What is nature? I find it interesting that you’ve focused on movement in your observations. In my reflections., I’ve noticed I give more attention to peace and tranquility. I focus on what’s stable, on what’s subtly changing, on the things I can hold on to for a bit. It’s definitely making me think of what nature is for me – of what I’m seeking when I go outside (secret agendas and all). I appreciate that you’re challenging yourself to go outside of what feels normal. Ultimately, this whole experience is centered on going outside (literally and otherwise!).