Governor Dodge - Evening of Fun!

An excerpt from my personal journal today...the part pertaining to my awe-walk in nature. :)

With all of my daughters busy this afternoon and evening, I decided to head to Governor Dodge after work. The sun is setting earlier these days, but I still had a wonderful time exploring and discovering a few bugs, flowers, and birds. My favorite moment was when I spotted some white-throated sparrows. I love these birds for their beautiful springtime songs, and I realized they must be migrating. As dusk approached, they basked in the warmth of the setting sun, and I felt grateful to witness this fleeting moment in their journey. It was tricky to get a good photo, but Merlin came to my rescue!

After wading through shoulder-high brambles and dense overgrowth, I found a quiet spot among the willows at the base of a small stand of trees. The sparrows flitted between the tree branches, snatching insects in flight. Their intermittent chirping guided me, and Merlin’s app perfectly mimicked their calls, helping me feel more connected to the experience. It didn’t take long before the birds seemed comfortable with my presence.

When I played their familiar “cheep-cheep” calls, they responded, but it was when I let Merlin play a spring song that things really changed. Their curiosity was piqued! A few birds even attempted to mimic the song, and their efforts doubled as they eagerly searched for the mysterious "bird" serenading them. I’m excited to see how my photos turned out.

I also came across several beetles that might be first-time observations for me, and I took photos of some familiar flowers and plants, mostly as a way to remember their names. The geese were across the bay, and while I knew the distance might be a challenge, I still tested the camera and lens my parents have lent me.

One highlight was capturing a clear shot of a Jerusalem Artichoke flower. I love photographing flowers because they make beautiful, simple emojis that I can send to people who are having a tough day. There's something about nature that softens life’s challenges. For me, noticing the small, intricate details of the natural world brings peace. It fills my mind with curiosity and awe—two emotions that I find deeply nourishing.

I came across a quote recently that really resonated, especially after a long day at work: "You think you are an introvert because you like being alone, but in reality, you just love being at peace, and you're actually extroverted around people who bring you joy." Well said. Nature is where I find that peace.

Posted on October 5, 2024 01:50 AM by daughterdad