Nature's Hearts

What makes a heart image. Begins with two birds kissing and the joy of an ocean wave as it curls. Take a walk into nature and discover more hearts.

Find Today's Fun

 

Nature's Wonders

 Breathe with curiosity for nature's wonders.

Love is a Black Phoebe

Black Phoebes won my attention when we moved to an apartment complex during our home remodel several years ago. I discovered a park next door and decided to spend an hour each day observing and writing about nature . I sat under a sycamore tree in late summer and waited.

Above my head, a black bird cleaned its beak. Then it flew to a lamp post and off into the ivy behind me. Each day for a week, I observed this fellow in action. One day I brought a seed bell and hung it under the bird’s sycamore branch thinking I’d attract even more of its friends.

I searched the internet and discovered the Black Phoebe fit the description of the behavior I had observed. My seed bell must have caused a snicker in the bird community since these birds only eat and catch insects on the fly.

Called hawking, they fly from from sunrise to sunset eating all day with the tenacity of a hummingbird. I’ve seen them capture bees and moths for dining pleasure.

Phoebes move in a circular pattern in their territory and work harder than anyone I know. In the spring, they pair and create a nest from mud, one beakful at a time. The male stands guard and often sits the nest in rotation with his mate.

I discovered the conical nest high in the eaves of our apartment building. The next stage involved nesting behaviors. Resident crows became aggressive causing both phoebes to take turns chasing them causing disruption to their feeding ritual. I heard peepings but could not see how many chicks had arrived. Unfortunately, I left on a trip for two weeks.

Upon my return to the park, I did not see the pair I’d named Flash and Fee. The nest appeared vacant and no peepings sounded. I felt a sudden fear that the crows had taken over during my absence.

Then I looked at the center of the park to discover four phoebes. They took turns dancing on air. I crept closer and watched this marvel of flight training for fledglings.

After returning to our renovated home, I searched the neighborhood for Black Phoebes. I missed this daily association. I discovered a pair at the end of the block. They had placed their nest under a neighbor’s eaves. Once again I left town and missed the fledging.

I continue to create water sources in my yard to attract my favorite Black Phoebes. One day a breeding pair will arrive to capture my fascination.

A flash at the corner of my eye greets me most days. A Phoebe calls my attention to a moment’s detail then flees into the blue.

I call him Flash Fleetwing,

a bird to train in my hand,

yet he’d never permit it.

Fred Astairing the breeze he

plucks food on the fly.

Dressed to kill in charcoal waistcoat,

inverted V white bib,

probably monogrammed,

he thrills air.

Sycamore branch to lamppost,

he mocks gravity and breeze

who skirmish for his attention.

My whistling swivels his head.

Top feathers go crewcut,

insistent with pheep, pheep. pheep.

Birders say he protects his territory

when he zooms me that way.

What do they know of friendship?

Flying Funsters

 

Hugs from Trees in Eugene

Happy Day

 

Nature's Nurture

 

Joys of Eugene

 Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”

― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It

Mindfulness

"Mindfulness practice is non-sectarian. There's no belief system 

attached to it, there are no articles of faith. You're just learning 

to pay attention. I didn't learn that in school, did you? 

Think of it as a kind of gym class for the mind, developing 

basic strength, focus, and stability."  - David Nichtern

Take time each day to learn from nature. Breathe in the fragrances 

that linger on the breeze.

Watch movement. 

Pay attention to bird chatter and song, flying clouds, and 

waves that shuffle to shore. 

Appreciate the moments that surround you.

Observe nature's creativity to help you build bridges instead of barriers.

A Fun Interlude

 

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." - Bertrand Russell

Shed ambitions and a responsibility and let the playtime flow. 

What if FUN conquered the Universe? 

        How would that appear in details? 

                      Just let it flow. 

Energize your wonder to wander. Permit an interlude of fun to continue throughout the day. Laugh. Smile. Dance along with songs. Recharge energy with discovery. 

Soar into silliness as you share jokes. What train needs a tissue?  A choo choo.  

Contact a friend and wander into fun and delight to tickle their day.

Discovering Intuition

 

Intuition involves developing an acuity of perception. It engages creative thinking 

with hunches and possibilities. A special sense activates to grasp the invisible and 

provide insight. Flashes of thrill and understanding result without barriers of 

perceived notions.

David G. Myers,  a psychologist, defines intuition as, "The capacity for direct 

knowledge and immediate insight, without any observation or reason."  

Malcolm Gladwell, another expert, describes intuition as the "power of thinking 

without thinking."

Myers also discusses the perils of intuition. If untempered by logic and analysis, 

it can lead us down rabbit holes where we lose track of the difference between 

our fantasies and the real world. It can cause us to mistake our fears for  

ESP or get lost in a maze of self-fulfilling prophecies.

What do you take from the abstract comments above?  

Rabbit holes might lead to creative play. Fantasies create laughter. 

Mazes tickle the mind's problem solving strategies.

If you write about your experience with intuition discover how it 

affects your creativity and life.