stow it in your daypack and make concerted efforts to re-connect with your natural, human born talent of observing nature…..with no high powered camera, phone, binoculars, or any techno- logically advanced apparatus. A challenge to go into nature with a small journal and a pen. “Nature observation stimulates curiosity, creativity, helps
reduce stress, helps us become more focused, slows us down and helps us feel once again that we are connected to some- thing much larger than ourselves.” ~
www.languagemakingnature.com
Nature observation helps with depression (not discounting medical help if you feel depressed) and opens us up to wondrous, inexplicable phenomenon, getting our minds off of ourselves and onto fascinating, positive and bigger things in the universe. Im- mersing ourselves in nature (in an unplugged manner) helps us to relax, it is like a “moving meditation” (
www.princeton.edu) that lowers anxiety, reduces our fears and heightens our senses. Some experts even go so far as to say that nature observation is connected to our survival (Tom Brown’s Nature Observation and Tracking) and helps us to reconnect to the earth with the ability to enjoy the outdoors with more satisfaction and safety. So how does one start mindfully, purposefully observing
nature? We spoke with a few experts and here are some of their thoughts and pieces of advice for someone who wishes to actu- ally connect to nature in a deeper way and not just someone just passing through without reaping all the benefits being in nature offers us.
1. Keith Hendrickson, Retired Fisheries Development Supervisor, Wildlife Resources Commission, Fine Art Major, studio artist, wildlife photographer Keith has spent his entire life in the outdoors in many ca- pacities. He is the resident photographer for the Pee Dee Na- tional Wildlife Refuge. Here are just a few things he had to say about heading out: ~ decide what aspects of nature interest you the most (are
you more interested in—birds, plants, edibles, mushrooms, in- sects, trees?)
~ there is no guarantee you will see/hear what you set out to, so once there, prepare and pay attention to the micro world around you. Try to see small details, it can open a whole new perspective
~ know the habitat of the animal (or whatever) you are intent
on seeing, research their habitat and habits before heading out. When they migrate (if birding), start with a macro angle, noticing the bigger picture, then narrow your focus to a micro focus ~the actual thing you are looking for may not be there but
there may be evidence that it has been there. Make notes in your journal of when, where, what time of year etc. Keep a written and photographic journal. Be open to what is unfolding in front of you even if not what you intended.
2. Shawn Patch is an Archaeologist and geophysical specialist and has worked for a geophysical consulting firm in Greensboro since 2006. He spends much of his time making sure state and federal projects are not destroying or hurting sensitive archaeo- logical areas. As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Shawn says often the lay of the land holds many clues as to an archaeological or histori- cally significant site, such as a low lying area that is level, dry and near a water source, “somewhere you’d like to pitch a tent” would be a great place to observe as a potential former Indian settlement. While walking in the woods, he says if you see orna- mental vegetation such as wisteria, cedar, daffodils or periwinkle those are possible signs of a cemetery that has perhaps long been abandoned. Or, if you are in an open field area and observe 3-4 old hardwood trees together, this may indicate an old homestead site.
His most exciting find in the Triad specifically has been old cemeteries that have been abandoned, he says he enjoys research- ing the history and working with communities to restore them. In one such cemetery found in Reidsville he was able to trace the land grant to around 1805. He does mention to be very mind- ful of local state and federal laws concerning finding artifacts; please do not remove them; instead ,take a photo and note where you saw it, then report it. Once an artifact is removed, the his- tory of the artifact may be lost and there may be more there to be researched. If archeology interests you, Shawn suggests the organization
North Carolina Archaeological Society, which is designed spe- cifically for the public and holds two meetings per year sometimes at significant sites. Shawn also wrote an article for NCAS in 2014 you can read here: Geophysical Survey of Large Mississippian Villages in the South Appalachian Region http://www.rla.unc. edu/Publications/NCArch/NCA_65.pdf
There are many focal points to nature observation. You may be interested in birds, insects, plants (edible or not), waterfalls, flowers, mushrooms, fungi, large or small mammals, waterfowl,
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