Even after just one day on retreat, I am reminded of what a visual person I am - I am not just about words but also very much about images. Both still and moving. I see the world in pictures.
Four sessions of observation yesterday brought to my attention my desire to “look more closely” in the literal sense of getting “down there” to see the world as the creatures that I am observing at ground level see it. So last night I set the trail camera on the edge of a flower bed and left it running. Admittedly my creativity in this case is limited to editing the various video clips - but I value even this, as I am, as a result, learning a great deal more about digital editing suites and techniques. My creativity which is certainly being stimulated in so many ways by this course, is not limited to needle and thread, brush and watercolour,paper and pen - technology is just one more tool to enable me to capture and express the things that are important in my life.
I find the observation of wildlife therapeutic, in the same way that gardening is therapeutic (they are so closely associated, after all) – when you are looking closely and concentrating on observation and understanding, all other life issues fall to one side – and for just a while, you can be at peace.
Here are three minutes of peace, with the creatures of Autumn Cottage Garden.
Journal Prompt.
Can you get up really close to any wildlife? A bird feeder outside your window? A bee hive behind glass? (Some museums and wildlife parks have these). Can you spread a blanket on the ground and just wait and watch? Have YOU got a trail camera you can set?
Set aside five or ten minutes to really observe wildlife (or domestic) going about their business, record it in your journal – and share it here.
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Sitting quietly outside on our timber decking and enjoying a little lunch, I was amazed at the number and variety of birds that happily flew before me, rested a while, chatted or let me hear and marvel at their bird song. Deep winter here but somedays the wind is still, the sun is shining and all seems at peace.
In the space of ten minutes or so, I was entertained by white cockatoos, melodious magpies, darting and gliding swallows, the tiniest of finches with an incredible song, a kookaburra laughing in the distance and to my surprise, a white spoonbill, gracefully and methodically skimming the water's edge of our dam.
It's a rich and interesting world out there!
Posted by: Maryann | Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 05:40