First off, as you probably have read, the wilderness is my life and I like to think of everything including plants and anything that lives, breathes, and takes on a role in this world as a possible relative of mine, and I like to think of how I’m like that object.
Eagles, hawks, owls, deer, turkey, various types of song birds and birds of wild decent, not so much fish except one the salmon ferns, poison ivy, nettles, oak trees, weeds of all sorts and sizes, evergreens, black walnuts, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, slugs. All of those plus many more are parts of this earth and part of the forest. Even small- or medium-sized streams I relate to.
Hawks, they are fast, quick, and very smart in how they carry out their everyday lives. They zone in on something and strike without hesitation. Owls are what I call the night’s mystery; you never know when you might see them but when come around and are apparent, there is no way to miss them. They are very-spooky quiet while in flight and hunt mode they never hesitate. Opportunities are never missed, always closed deals. Deer are what I call the watch-outs amongst other smaller birds; they have a way of telling everything be alert. They are not as smart as one would think, but that big fluffy white tale plays a key role. Turkeys are in constant confrontation with owls. Turkeys have keen sense of hearing. Blue jays are our natural weather forecasters, they are from the north were it rains and is constantly wet and moist. When they start sounding an alert, either they are being territorial or there is a fair to severe amount of rain.
In my opinion, I am about as bullheaded and set in stone thoughtwise and in attitude as a black walnut, and as an oak is hard. Not too many people set down with Mother Nature and soak in what is what I call “More Than What Your Eyes See and Tell.” Almost like looking through your third eye. But with nature, I really don’t know too many humans that honestly and to the utmost of sincerity have that ability. To have that feeling, you have to be born with a want, will, and passion for nature. You can’t grow into it or learn to like it. It didn’t happen that way with me. And no it’s not rare and unusual like predicting a situation. It’s a born thing and you don’t have to be born with the ability to understand and take in almost like a person writing a journal would be recording information. Just like having an ear for music, some are born with the talent and others acquire it later in life.
My talent or ability to relate and understand nature came over a period of a lot of depression. Take walks they said well okay. But this was the thing I was encouraged not to take a camera or any other thing that would capture still form all had to be put and stored in my head. I have very few pictures of my experiences in the outdoors only the highly most important memories are not on film. Think about it, you can’t too often just pull out that one outstanding picture and have it be your getaway place but your memories last until you pass I have actually probably more safe spots to calm myself than a high-paid shrink and I don’t just have to imagine the place and then all the perfect settings. Most of the time, I have a place and spot already designated not much thought has to be put into mind.
