After 6 months of drought in our area, abundant rain and snow have created a new landscape. The creeks run musically, and massive icicles formed in the Frankfort Mineral Springs area of Raccoon Creek State Park.
David & I hiked to the falls, he with his cameras and me with my nature journal.
Though the trail to the falls was treacherous with wet ice and packed snow, the warm air and sunshine felt like spring.
I sat in the snow on top of my heavy winter gloves, and felt like an early naturalist illustrating a new land. I sketched with a brown ink fountain pen and added watercolor washes.
I've always felt that Nature puts on a perpetual show, and the price of a "ticket" is simply taking the time and effort to get outside and be still for a moment.
Lately, the sun feels stronger and brighter each day; the world feels more inviting. I think keeping a nature journal helps me to see these things. It wasn't long ago that I watched outside for a little vole to peek out of its hole under the birdfeeders just outside my studio window. I could count on it to show up about 4:50 PM as the sun set.
After watching this vole several nights in a row, I would think of the little creature every day just before 5 PM. No matter where I was, I knew the creature was hungrily scavenging seeds.
I haven't seen this critter in weeks now. We've both changed our routines. Just the other evening, I tidied up some garden beds in the relative warmth until the daylight ebbed.
These are the sorts of tiny adventures that keeping a nature journal can lead you on.
What's going on outside where you live right now? What in nature's detailed show would you like to witness? I hope you take the time to sit and enjoy the show, and make a few notes in a sketchbook.
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