Magical Place

Last week I watched a mother and her two young daughters explore one of my favorite botanical gardens. Wearing iridescent fairy wings and ballet skirts, the girls danced down the paths, their laughter echoing throughout the garden.  

They excitedly pointed out the lovely flowers along the twisty paths as their mother snapped photos. And they were fascinated with the bees that flitted from blossom to blossom.

The Earth had captured their full attention and they were happily lost in the adventure.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘The Earth laughs in flowers.’ Watching these charming young girls reminded me that nature is such a magical place.

And all I could do was smile…

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)

Glee

Fox sparrows are winter visitors to the Northwest, and I was fortunate to see one up close. He was foraging for food by hopping forward and backward, kicking leaves aside to expose fallen plant seeds. I could feel his delight as he uncovered seed after seed. Just watching him made me smile.

This gleeful little sparrow reminded me of a toddler I recently met in the forest. His mother called him Charlie…a sturdy little boy, 15 months old, bundled in his navy blue snow suit and red boots. He toddled from plant to plant, kicking leaves, and picking up sticks. Charlie’s gleeful expression said it all. He was having the time of his life.

His mother shared that in his short life, Charlie had been in the woods often. But he had only experienced the forest from a backpack baby carrier. This was Charlie’s first time walking on the forest path. And Charlie was in heaven...

As I enjoyed the little fox sparrow's exuberance and remembered Charlie’s ear-to-ear grin, I smiled. What a great reminder of all the joy and delight to be found in the natural world.

How lucky are we…

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)

Come As You Are

One rainy day a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a beautiful fuchsia plant in one of my favorite gardens. The last of the summer flowers…so lovely. In my mind, fuchsia blossoms resemble graceful dancers. As I watched the blossoms sway in the breeze, I remembered an experience I had one sunny afternoon in the forest.

Two energetic young girls were racing towards me, closely followed by their grandmother. As they passed me I noticed the girls' outfits. Pink tulle ballet skirts, matching tights, pink sweatshirts, and purple gym shoes. Colorful, graceful dancers leaping among the trees.

I was still smiling about the girls’ hiking clothes when I had a realization. In their innocence, these children reminded me of something important. Being with the Earth doesn’t require anything…not designer hiking clothes, or high-tech boots, or perfectly styled hair.

The Earth offers us a forever invitation to be with Her just as we are. No frills, no fuss.

I’m grateful to the girls for the reminder to simply come as you are...

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)