imagine my delight
when discovering this spring baby giraffe
in the woods near my home
i had no idea that they were native to michigan.
—
“however much you know giraffes, to see one in the wild for the first time feels prehistoric.”
-jane goodall
the kinder, who are spring chickens, check out the other spring chickens
and the other spring chickens check out the kinder.
—
“the sun’s not yellow, it’s chicken!”
-bob dylan
mushrooms are one of my absolute favorite foods
and it’s soon time for the elusive morels to appear
luckily i have this handy chart to help.
no time to write more
i’m off to find a sasquatch den.
—
“on the subject of wild mushrooms, it is easy to tell who is an expert and who is not:
the expert is the one who is still alive.”
-donal henahan
(landscaper waiting patiently)
—
the city has introduced an initiative
asking residents
to let their lawns and parks
grow to one foot tall before mowing
to benefit the struggling pollinator population
the landscapers are standing down.
—
“the grass is always greener once you don’t have to mow a lawn anymore.”
r.k. milholland
*National Park Service warning that begins,
“Most squirrel bites originate at the front, or “bite-y end,” of the squirrel.”
Most? Yeah, most. Wanna fight about it? In general, it’s best not to be in contact with any part of a wild animal.
Let’s be honest, squirrels can be cute and fluffy (if not friend, why friend shaped?) therefore, people don’t usually mind them getting too close. But cuteness fades when a squirrel bites your hand, steals your car keys, and floors it out of the park with all your food in tow. Um, was Grandma in the car?
We kid about the keys and driving, (that’d be nuts), but squirrel bites really can happen at parks. Best to keep hands and fingers away from bitey ends. Feeding human food to any wildlife is bad for them and makes them fearless and potentially aggressive.
In conclusion, squirrels may not know better, but YOU do. Although it may feel flattering, (well, aren’t you the animal whisperer) if any kind of wildlife approaches you, back away and maintain that safe distance. It’s your responsibility and your safety —help us keep wildlife wild. Has anyone seen our car keys?
*i’m such a fan of the national park service’s humorous approach to warning the public about the creatures in their parks. humans need reminders from time to time.
—
“this town is infested with squirrels, have you noticed?”
“i’d rather say it’s rich with squirrels.”
― e
just booked my next adventure
off to the rainforest in costa rica
104 days from now.
they had me at
coffee, monkeys, trees, water, the unknown, and chocolate.
—
“the rainforests hold answers to questions we have yet to ask.”
-mark plotkin
robin’s nests created by the kinder using natural materials
clay, twigs, pinecones, clippings
any robin would be happy to raise her babies in one of these beautiful homes
—
“wildness we might consider as the root of the authentic spontaneities of any being. it is that wellspring of creativity whence comes the instinctive activities that enable all living beings to obtain their food, to find shelter, to bring forth their young; to sing and dance and fly through the air and swim through the depths of the sea. this is the same inner tendency that evokes the insight of the poet, the skill of the artist, and the power of the shaman.”- thomas berry
one foot in a boot
one foot out
stuck tight in the mud
give a happy shout.
—
a rite of passage and sure sign of spring
on outdoor adventure day.
—
“it isn’t that deep, they said.”
-author unknown
we went to see the dinos
and along the way
we peeked inside of a magical drawer
filled with beautiful eggs and nests
what wonderful surprise
there’s always something
you don’t expect to discover
when you go to a museum.
—
“don’t go to a museum with a destination. museums are wormholes to other worlds. they are ecstasy machines. follow your eyes to wherever they lead you…and the world should begin to change for you.”
– jerry saltz
I didn't have my glasses on.... 