• animals,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    They Teach Us

    May 17, 2022

    In the Western tradition there is a recognized hierarchy of beings, with, of course, the human being on top—the pinnacle of evolution, the darling of Creation—and the plants at the bottom. But in Native ways of knowing, human people are often referred to as “the younger brothers of Creation.” We say that humans have the least experience with how to live and thus the most to learn—we must look to our teachers among the other species for guidance. Their wisdom is apparent in the way that they live. They teach us by example. They’ve been on the earth far longer than we have been, and have had time to figure things out.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

    What a beautiful morning we have here in Colorado. Blue skies and sunshine. I have not read her book but think it’s one I do want to absorb some of her words and spirit. I also noticed Krista Tippett has a podcast with her that I want to listen to. Hope everyone has a wonderful day, enjoy it!

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  • animals,  flowers,  insects,  Plants

    Another time

    July 23, 2021

    Met my friend, Diane, at Gardens on Spring Creek. The gardens are an impressive 18 acre facility. Great for us older kids to enjoy! We brought our own coffee and met in the parking lot. They have this set aside time for members to have the garden all to themselves on certain days from 8:00-10:00 am. Today was one of those days. What a wonderful world it is. They also have a butterfly pavilion but it did not open until 10:00 am. Another time.

    Had this little one come right up to me as if I was suppose to feed them. Hope you are having a great day!

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  • animals,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Not Many Listen

    July 3, 2021

    “Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”

    A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

    A while back I had a cottontail approach me and instead of saying my normal welcome such as “hello” I kept silent. We just watched one another, remaining present to each other and the moment. This was unusual behavior as they do not stay still very long. I wonder, was it due to the fact I did not talk but kept quiet. Anyway, I’ll continue to practice remaining quiet, listening and see what happens. Pooh may be on to something here.

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  • animals,  haiku,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  writing/reading

    Morning Visitor

    April 15, 2021

    morning visitor
    give one another distance
    keeping eye contact

    ms

    A cloudy and cold morning at Pineridge Natural Area. No wind, no bird songs, all was quiet. I was the only one there this morning. Seemed everyone else stayed in bed or had a second cup of coffee. There were several cottontails checking me out: Are you friend or foe? They have that alertness, always present to where they and you are. Where we seem to wander in thought, seldom staying present. I stayed more present this morning as I let them teach me.

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  • animals,  Meister Eckhart,  natural areas,  quotes

    The Silence

    July 10, 2020
    They call them cottontails for a good reason

    “Nothing in all creation is so like God as silence.”

    Meister Eckhart

    Started the morning with time in nature. The birds were singing. A Great Blue Heron surveyed the kingdom perched on a distant tree. A sunflower looked east greeting the morning sunrise. Cottontails wandered around in search for the best grass to nibble on. I come for the silence and the effect nature has on my soul. It can set me in a good place, clears my mind of irrelevant stuff. Yes, the silence.

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  • animals

    Motionless

    March 24, 2015
    Cottontail
    Cottontail

    “Life has a way of being exactly the way it happens to be at any given moment.”

    Martin Laird

    And the rabbit is thinking, “If I don’t move he’ll never see me.”

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  • animals

    Morning Grazing

    June 19, 2010
    Grazing in the grass

    Met this friend at Blendon Woods park last Tuesday morning while on a walk. I watched as he nibbled on the weeds, even got a series of six images where you can see him take in a weed until it disappears. Reminded me of someone eating spaghetti.

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  • animals

    Baby Bunny

    July 23, 2009
    Little Bunny

    When I arrived home last night around 10:00 p.m. it was raining cats and dogs, BIG cats and dogs. This morning has presented another gray sky with rain continuing to fall. Rain tapping on my window seems to help me sleep, so I had a good nights sleep. In contrast to the amount of rain I do not seem to have many words this morning. As for an image to post I grabbed this one. I encountered this little one last week at Inniswood Gardens.

    Thanks for the comments to yesterday’s post. I loved Steve’s answer! Not sure about any of you but even half the $2000 would be wonderful. I hope everyone has a super day!!

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