On a walk at the Environmental Learning Center I encounter two mothers and three little ones exploring nature. They were smiling and running all over the place. A good time was being had by all. I was surprised by the answer I received when I asked the kids if they had seen any bears or mountain lions. Their answer: a bug. I couldn’t make out what bug they had seen but it sure left an impression.
As I walked on my way I thought about how they were seeing this nature area compared to how an adult was seeing it. Since they were somewhere around 4 or 5 the world they were seeing was from my waist down. So, it was a whole different perspective for them and me. As I walked on a phrase kept coming to mind: “down to earth.”
Urban dictionary defines “down to earth” to mean: not caught up in superficial things. I laughed at myself. Here I am walking in nature and my mind is thinking about this phrase and what could I say about it in a post. I was wondering how many people do not see the ecosystem that exists just below our knees (and it’s a massive world).
As I swatted at blood-sucking mosquitos I realized I was not present to my world below my knees or above my knees. Instead I was caught up in the superficial things. I was there physically but not in the head. For the rest of my walk I kept my focus on what was below my waist. What were those children seeing? I began to notice more than just the mosquitos. I was seeing grasshoppers, ants, butterflies, flies, dragonflies, the smallest of flowers, leaves, deer droppings and the deer, multicolored bugs, spiders, bees and wasps. I could hear the call of a hawk in distance and wood pecker rattling his brains. I was actually in nature and down to earth.
As I write this I wonder how many people were sitting in their office or watching a movie instead of enjoying this time in a nature area, swatting mosquitos. -:)
12 Comments
John
Often, when I’m out in an area like Echo Lake, away from the “madding crowds” I’ll sit and listen and look. The quiet lapping of water on rocks, or call of a bird. It’s music. And when I hear voices, or a car in the distance I feel they’re the intruders on this otherwise quiet world. That’s a true treasure. As is taking the time to really observe the world around you. it’s easy to become engulfed in the natural world if you let it, and when you do, you leave a different person. At least a bit rejuvenated. Nice post and pics, Monte!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, John. Glad you are able to also enjoy nature.
Chris Klug
Just gob-smacked at the beauty of these.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Chris.
Anita Jesse
What a terrific collection of pictures and a great reminder that we can all use occasionally. I especially enjoy the lady bug paused at the “intersection” and the suspended leaf.
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Anita. Then you are right there with those young kids, checking everything out up close, and amazed with what we see.
Cedric Canard
A soulful piece of writing Monte with a perfectly complementary set of images.
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Cedric. I so enjoy it anytime you stop and leave a comment.
Paul
That is interesting, Monte. Most of the time we, as photographers, view the world from our height instead of looking down or looking up. It’s a nice lesson you got there from the kids. They’re right at bug level, so to speak, especially for plants and such. I have to keep remembering to bend the knees and have a look down, from time to time, and this post is a fantastic reminder.
Monte Stevens
The problem does come when trying to get back up. 🙂
Tom Dills
You said it before I could say it, Monte – there’s a good reason we don’t go crawling around on the ground shooting bugs!
Kids don’t have all of the distractions and preconceptions that we adults have, and I think that gives them a unique ability to see those things that we miss. And of course it doesn’t hurt to be a few feet closer to the ground, as you say.
Monte Stevens
Preconceptions is a good word to use here. We do mess up a generation.