I wish the comments section would let me post pictures of my daily runs in Miami. Just this week, I took picture of several spider webs, a mother duck and her 9 ducklings crossed a street. I’ve seen roosters (these have disappeared lately), manatees in a canal nearby and even a small alligator.
I am nestled between suburban landscapes and the Hudson River walkways. I was older when I started to understand the joy of hiking or strolling along a lake. I'm almost fifty now. Nature is an emphasis for my poetic journeys. I look forward to our Japanese maple flushing colours around May.
I used to take pictures with a Nikon camera. I marveled at the absolute pureness & simplicity of these landscape photographs. btw Thank You Sherman Alexie. I read your banned book. I intend to locate your poetry collection as well. Above all, Create.
Hey Rob, Thank you for including my icebreaker and for the shoutout!
To the post, the time I experienced more strongly the presence of nature in the city was during the first days of lockdown in London.
All those new noises I never noticed before, more and more wild animals venturing in the deserted streets and making all sorts of beautiful sounds, within the great quiet. No more planes roaring above, no more cars honking in the streets, all the unnatural city noises, quiet.
In spite of the global tragedy that was unfolding, I will never forget the deep inner peace those moments brought to me. And made me believe for a moment that it was, it is still possible for Humanity to regain our connection with Nature and the Planet.
Apr 10, 2023·edited Apr 11, 2023Liked by Rob Walker
During the pandemic, the wild rabbit population exploded in Seattle. So we saw so much of their cuteness but also all the ways in which they get hunted by other wild and domestic animals. It was like we were living on a little Serengeti.
Oh my, thank you for sharing this book, it sounds delightful. I am putting that on my TBR right away - off to talking my library into purchasing a copy - blessings
I used to live by the sea and then I moved to the countryside. It's all so new to me so I notice every single thing and it means a lot. I can't help wonder why we're so separated from nature? I miss the sea incredibly but I do believe I'd be a better person, more complete, if only I knew more about natural process. It's not all beautiful and at times, it's quite brutal but it's our world and we should know it more upclose. So, thanks for adding ways in which we can nurture that connection even more.
Following my ears has led to delightful bird discoveries. We moved two years ago, from a condo near a lake (which had some wonderful nature encounters) to a house in a hot valley, stone's throw from the freeway. We thought we'd get little to no nature here. But on our daily walks with our dog, we keep our ears out for the birds and haven't been disappointed. Hummingbirds, house finches, swifts, redtail hawks, and the occasional great-horned owl.
Thanks for the book recommendation Rob, it sounds right up my street.
Lockdown in south London changed a lot for me. We were lucky enough to live a short walk away from a bit park with a small patch of ancient woodland. At a certain point I noticed kestrels in the park and became obsessed by them and their movements. They ultimately led me to notice so much more in nature (including some other local nesting birds of prey) and to go on to study foraging skills and start a newsletter all about taking time to notice nature. There is SO much to see and experience in our cities, I hope I am able to encourage people to start taking notice of what's around them through my newsletter.
The urban nature concept makes me think of Central Park in New York City. When I lived there during Covid it was my refuge. Trails, boulders, forested areas; kind of amazing in such a city as the Big Apple! But there it is!
I wish the comments section would let me post pictures of my daily runs in Miami. Just this week, I took picture of several spider webs, a mother duck and her 9 ducklings crossed a street. I’ve seen roosters (these have disappeared lately), manatees in a canal nearby and even a small alligator.
I'm jealous of the manatee spotting!
👍👍
I am nestled between suburban landscapes and the Hudson River walkways. I was older when I started to understand the joy of hiking or strolling along a lake. I'm almost fifty now. Nature is an emphasis for my poetic journeys. I look forward to our Japanese maple flushing colours around May.
I used to take pictures with a Nikon camera. I marveled at the absolute pureness & simplicity of these landscape photographs. btw Thank You Sherman Alexie. I read your banned book. I intend to locate your poetry collection as well. Above all, Create.
Hey Rob, Thank you for including my icebreaker and for the shoutout!
To the post, the time I experienced more strongly the presence of nature in the city was during the first days of lockdown in London.
All those new noises I never noticed before, more and more wild animals venturing in the deserted streets and making all sorts of beautiful sounds, within the great quiet. No more planes roaring above, no more cars honking in the streets, all the unnatural city noises, quiet.
In spite of the global tragedy that was unfolding, I will never forget the deep inner peace those moments brought to me. And made me believe for a moment that it was, it is still possible for Humanity to regain our connection with Nature and the Planet.
Belatedly: Thanks so much for this, Leonardo! And thanks for the very fun Icebreaker :)
During the pandemic, the wild rabbit population exploded in Seattle. So we saw so much of their cuteness but also all the ways in which they get hunted by other wild and domestic animals. It was like we were living on a little Serengeti.
Oh my, thank you for sharing this book, it sounds delightful. I am putting that on my TBR right away - off to talking my library into purchasing a copy - blessings
Thanks for these thoughts - as beautiful as ever
Thanks so much!
My postcard would be a picture of a Venice canal. Peaceful ✌️
I used to live by the sea and then I moved to the countryside. It's all so new to me so I notice every single thing and it means a lot. I can't help wonder why we're so separated from nature? I miss the sea incredibly but I do believe I'd be a better person, more complete, if only I knew more about natural process. It's not all beautiful and at times, it's quite brutal but it's our world and we should know it more upclose. So, thanks for adding ways in which we can nurture that connection even more.
Following my ears has led to delightful bird discoveries. We moved two years ago, from a condo near a lake (which had some wonderful nature encounters) to a house in a hot valley, stone's throw from the freeway. We thought we'd get little to no nature here. But on our daily walks with our dog, we keep our ears out for the birds and haven't been disappointed. Hummingbirds, house finches, swifts, redtail hawks, and the occasional great-horned owl.
I always love engaging the senses beyond sight -- thanks for this!
Thanks for the book recommendation Rob, it sounds right up my street.
Lockdown in south London changed a lot for me. We were lucky enough to live a short walk away from a bit park with a small patch of ancient woodland. At a certain point I noticed kestrels in the park and became obsessed by them and their movements. They ultimately led me to notice so much more in nature (including some other local nesting birds of prey) and to go on to study foraging skills and start a newsletter all about taking time to notice nature. There is SO much to see and experience in our cities, I hope I am able to encourage people to start taking notice of what's around them through my newsletter.
The urban nature concept makes me think of Central Park in New York City. When I lived there during Covid it was my refuge. Trails, boulders, forested areas; kind of amazing in such a city as the Big Apple! But there it is!
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/