July 14, 2024: The Serendipity of Nature

noun: serendipity; plural noun: serendipities: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”a fortunate stroke of serendipity”

Each year, we pack up our two studios and move to our camp and studio, from mid-June through October, which is situated beside a large lake bordered by Maine and Canada, . The one-way trip is three hundred miles and a six hour drive from our home in New Hampshire. While the endeavor of organizing and packing up everything we need is both arduous and daunting, the anticipation of what we’ll find when we get there is all the incentive we need.

Each day, weather permitting, we head outdoors and explore the beauty and wonder of the natural world that surrounds us. Whether on the lake with its many coves, or meandering through the woodland trails, there is always something to delight and discover. Each time we set out, binoculars and camera in hand, our intention is to pay attention; as the serendipity of nature has taught us that what we’ll find on our explorations can reveal unexpected surprises, from a nesting common loon and fishing eagles to the emergence of newly blooming wildflowers.

Several days ago, we headed out in the late afternoon in hopes of spotting and photographing a pair of loons that we had seen previously. Our aluminum boat is 16 feet long and has the capacity to move quietly through the water, allowing us to respectfully observe from a distance skittish wildlife. While in one of the coves, we happened to notice a clump of beautiful yellow flowers on the edge of the lake and moved in closer so that I could identify and photograph them. (These delicate appearing flowers were Swamp Candles, a member of the loosestrife family.)

But as I was focusing the camera on the wildflowers, my attention was caught by a shimmery blue, darting in and out of my view. Looking more carefully, I was delighted to discover a number of cerulean blue, dainty damselflies, darting between the flowers and grasses.

It was an unexpected surprise, and we spent some time observing these agile fliers. Puttering along, we came across a lone female wood duck, taking time to watch her preen her feathers, delighted when she actually climbed out of the water to finish her grooming.

A little while later, we spotted an eagle high in a tree and were enthralled a short time later to watch in awe, as it flew off fhe tree, circled above our heads and then plunged into the water with outstretched talons to capture a fish.

We never did see the pair of loons, but the unexpected gifts we received along the way once again reminded us of the value of paying attention to the details. This experience and others brought to mind the memory of a statement one of my students once said, as we were exploring a local nature trail.

“The more you look, the more you see…..the more you see, the more you want to look.”

Troy-age 9

In our busy lives, it can be a challenge to take the time to really focus our attention, to both notice and appreciate the little and unexpected things. But like golden threads in a tapestry, these moments can bring a sense of light, gratitude and a richness to our life’s story. Whether in our homes, our work, or especially when exploring the natural world, there is always something that can serendipitously bring us moments of joy.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read my thoughts. I”ve gathered a few inspirational quotes about spending time in nature and invite you to both share them and/or add ones that inspire you in the comments below.

Best regards and happy exploring!

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.”

Charles Dickens

“In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy. “

Henry Ward Beecher 

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” 

Linda Hogan

“The earth has its music for those who will listen”

Reginald Vincent Holmes

“Instructions for living a life: / Pay attention. / Be astonished. / Tell about it.”

Mary Oliver

“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.”

Henry David Thoreau

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

John Muir

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder