Get Lost Eh!
One of my passions is wandering on our 160 acres of
woods. This is not a huge area but plenty large enough to explore for
days at a time without becoming bored. I grew up on a farmstead
on the mostly bald prairie. The only experiences I had in the bush were
in groups of campers or men at work. I found myself next to a forrested
area at 20 years of age, totally frightened by the experience of
walking there alone even though there was very little chance of being
hurt by any animal in the vicinity. Since that realization, I've worked
in a slow and steady way to move through my fears to a place of
comfort and oneness with the natural setting we're in.
Please let me expound on the 'wandering' part of this passion. If
I am on my way to some place specific - like wanting to check if the
wild plums are ripe - or if we're out for a brisque walk or ski, I have
a totally different experience than if I want to wander. If I am going
somewhere specific I know I will not take the time to let nature wrap
itself around and include me in its activity. When we walk down a
trail, the deer, birds, squirrels, etc. know the routine. We'll make
our trudge, trudge sounds along with the occasional words and laughter
and we'll move along in reasonable time. And so everything goes quiet
around us. The deer lay down keeping their noses alert to the
possibility that our dogs are in our company. Squirrels usually scamper
up and behind a tree and most birds fly just out of our sight. The
birds and animals have learned over the millenia that those that stay around when human
sounds are heard are the most likely to be taken by hunters.
When I take the time to wander, I'm not going anywhere specific and so
I can take as much time as I give myself to observe, explore, get on my
hands and knees, sit quietly to watch, listen more intently to the
wind, the insects, birds and larger animals moving about. When we sit
quietly in a natural setting it takes time for us to be absorbed. In
time even the most furtive animals will come near enough to be seen. A
host of birds will eventually move through the space around us - as
will squirrels, rabbits, porcupine, raccoons and skunks. (Fortunately
we're in an area of the world that has few animals that would directly
threaten a human.) Deer and coyotes are probably the most difficult to observe.
Their hearing, sense of smell and eye-sight are remarkable. They're
well tuned to living with humans on the periphery of their world, but
are very reluctant to being closely observed. Other animals are more
willing to share space with us, as long as we prove ourselves to be
non-threatening.
I've also done some animal and bird stalking in the woods. This
activity is similar to bow hunting or wildlife photography in that it
takes patience and careful movement and positioning to ensure that the
natural setting is not unduly disturbed as I sit or slowly move in it
for a specific purpose. Stalking is enhanced by learning to read signs
- tracks, scat, bird song alerts, browse marks, etc. - of the
particular animal or bird I want to observe.
Our guesthouse is idealy situated to test your inclinations toward this
type of 'activity'. It may just as easily be described as a form of
meditation - or reconnecting with the diversity and dynamism of this
earth. This property is surrounded by a barbed wire fence, from the
time we had cattle grazing here, and so there is next to no chance that
you will get desperately lost. You can wander and acheive the feeling
of being totally relaxed in the arms of nature.
Blessings. David
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