Budding open
I went to the swamp today. It started out as a morel mushroom hunt, but forget them. Official tally (from two trips): Morel mushrooms 3, Wood Ticks, 19. Or something like that anyway. Looks like the Wood Ticks are winning.
It sometimes takes a long time for the Mind to settle down when you’re out in nature. It’s still having conversations with people, thinking of chores which need tending, perhaps even writing a blog. You have to wait until the Mind settles down.
Then you can really begin to see what’s in front of you. Before that, you’re still lost in the world of Thoughts. I like it when the Thoughts begin to dwindle away and you’re truly present to the sweet call of red wing blackbirds, the cooing of mourning doves, the drone of swamp-life.
Beaver-chewed tree in swamp
There’s another thing which keeps us separated and apart from being present in Nature. We’re waiting for something exciting to happen. Where’s the ducks? Where’s the turtles? Where’s the beaver?
It takes a long time, sometimes, to stop anticipating and wanting excitement. Whatever is in front of one’s face is what’s happening. Don’t be looking for those bear or moose or wolves. Just look at what’s present. I guarantee you’ll feel much more peaceful and content.
Three bugs on a tree
It took me about twenty minutes to settle down and just be, watching the swamp. They say it takes twenty minutes of meditation before your brain waves actually change (perhaps to Theta?) It’s always good to give yourself twenty minutes of being present before moving on.
Lots of trees have been gnawed off and carried away by industrious beaver to create a dam. You couldn’t see the dam from where I sat. There was a small fiddehead fern almost ready to unfold. It looks very tender, doesn’t it?
Fiddlehead fern ready to unfurl
On the way back to the car I found a young deer skull and bones. You can tell it was a young ‘un by its teeth. The older does and bucks have worn teeth.
Deer skull
The phone is ringing like crazy tonight so will sign off now. Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day! And I hope Mama Earth had a good day, too. Let’s not forget she’s one of our most favorite mothers…
Shadow Play
7 comments
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May 10, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Gerry
Itsy-bitsy pine-scented birds of paradise!
May 11, 2009 at 7:58 am
Cindy
I know exactly what you mean about waiting for ourselves to quiet down….it always takes me awhile to quit carrying on conversations in my head and tallying up the chores list and just be. It’s always worth the wait though.
May 11, 2009 at 7:58 am
Cindy
Forgot to say….Happy Momma’s Day!
May 11, 2009 at 9:02 am
flandrumhill
Looks like the wood ticks are gaining ground. I was out mowing the lawn this morning and there was barely a bug around. It’s a gorgeous day. .. the type we pay through the nose for during our harsh winter months.
Over the years I’ve found it generally easier to get into ‘the zone’ while out in the woods, but I find it more difficult while walking on the seashore, as shown by that business of almost tripping over a seal last summer. On the shore, my first impulse is always to be on the lookout for shells. On the best of days I’m able to also enjoy the sparkling sand and water and the play of waves on the shore.
May 12, 2009 at 6:38 am
centria
Gerry, indeed!
Cindy, it so is worth the wait. And thanks for the Momma’s Day wishes. Hope you had a good one as well!
Amy, darn wood ticks. Yep, I’ve been delighted though because (aside from those ticks) there’s hardly any buzzing creatures yet. So the seal you almost tripped over was dead last year! Guess that’s not so romantic at all… Have you ever been able to get close enough to a seal to touch them? Or won’t they let you get that close?
May 12, 2009 at 1:31 pm
flandrumhill
No, I’ve never been close enough to touch a seal. My friend Ruth who grew up along the south shore of Nova Scotia has had the experience of watering down a dying seal on the beach, trying to keep it comfortable. They are more common on some beaches than others. And some people are most likely better at spotting them than me.
May 13, 2009 at 6:20 am
centria
So interesting… that must have been quite an experience for your friend. How sad to watch the seal die. Let us know if you spot one this year!