Harmony

After watching the news yesterday morning, I felt discouraged about all the disharmony on our planet. As I often do, I headed out into nature to calm my overwhelm.

While wandering, I spotted these two flickers on a bridge. They drew close together, parted, and then drew close again. Over and over. In their movements, they appeared to be dancing. So much grace and harmony.

Then I had a realization. Yes, there is discord in our world, but there is also harmony. But harmonious events aren't considered newsworthy.

I realized I witness harmony all the time. The couple taking a walk and holding hands, the man smiling and holding the door for a stranger, children playing together in the park…so many harmonious interactions.

I’ve heard it said that if you focus on something, it will grow and expand. I suspect it’s time to focus on harmony.

I’m grateful to the flickers for the inspiration…

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

Witness

I encountered this slug in the middle of a forest trail yesterday. My inclination was to move him out of harm’s way, but I had a feeling he didn’t need me to fix his circumstance.

He slowly and steadily inched his way across the path. As I witnessed his successful crossing, I smiled. 

My encounter with the slug triggered a thought. We humans spend a lot of time and energy advising each other, and trying to fix each others' problems.

But maybe fixing each other is not for us to do. Perhaps we’re simply to witness each others' adventures through the twists and turns of life.

Maybe our role is to support each other…to celebrate, and empathize, and cheer each other on, and hold each other up as we bravely face our challenges and learn our lessons.

I suspect there's truth in that. 

Thoughts inspired by a tenacious little slug…

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

Devotion

Each year, an osprey pair builds a nest at the top of a particular tree, and baby chicks appear. Because the nest is very high, the chicks are rarely visible, but their cries for food echo across the refuge.

Last week, I watched this male osprey snatch up a fish from the lake and then perch on a tree branch. What an amazing sight.  

After a few moments of rest, he carried the fish to the nest and was greeted by piercing screeches. To satisfy his family’s voracious appetite, this male fishes many times per day.

I know there are scientific reasons that explain why this osprey tirelessly serves his family. But what captured my attention was his generous spirit.

This father was completely devoted to his family. Strong and steady, he cared for his life partner and his children. He protected them, fed them, and nurtured them without complaint.

An unsung hero from the natural world…what a wonderful model of devotion.

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