The Naturalist

My favorite form of exercise is walking outside. Reason being, I am not starring at a bunch of exercise equipment; instead, I can interact with the animals and plants around me. I walk at all different times of the day. My favorite is either when the sun is beginning to rise or at night when the moon and stars are visible. For my forty five minute walk I decided to stay local and walk around my own neighborhood.
I enjoy walking around my neighborhood especially at night because I feel safe. For the first time in a while on this walk I heard insects making quite a bit of noise. I even thought that the Cicadas were back in town; that’s how much buzzing there was in the trees. Hearing the insects calms me. It beats listening to brothers and sisters yell at each other, cry, and complain. Luckily, I didn’t feel like I was being attacked by mosquitoes on my walk. I would have to say overall this summer there were not many mosquitoes causing a nuisance. I would prefer the sound of nature over the touch of nature. On my walk, my sense of hearing was playing a role in relaxing and thinking about the world around me. I wonder if the noise of the insects was from them mating amongst one another or not. On the other hand, are the insects fighting with each other or trying to get someone’s attention?
Every day nature affects me in different ways. On the days I have school I pray it won’t rain or even snow during the winter because it makes my commute a little more aggravating. The weather has a huge impact on if I need my rain boots, snow boots, an umbrella, or a winter coat. The constant change in weather leaves me on my toes when planning what I will wear to school. In addition, going to and from work I pass a forest and see deer on the side of the road all the time. It’s so neat to see a deer close to the edge of the road with the beautiful forest back drop behind it. However, at night I drive as fast as I can to get away from the forest because I am petrified of hitting a deer. The deer have this street interrupting their home, and it’s awful to think the deer might get hit because the department of transportation has invaded the animals’ privacy in the forest. I should probably slow down so if a deer or any other animal is in the middle of the street I have room to stop. Nature is everywhere! Whether it is the weather, the food we grow in the backyard, the football fields the team plays on, or the trees and animals around us, nature will continue to be there. Hopefully, people start thinking about the nature around them and attempt to protect it.
I read the articles “The Role of Arboriculture in a Healthy Social Ecology” by Frances E. Kuo and “A Geologist’s Winter Walk” by John Muir prior to walking outdoors. I learned from Kuo that physical features in nature have a social impact on communities. Physical features like plants and trees are welcoming and invite people to be with one another to build a stronger sense of community. In case of crisis, the friendships people have built will come into play if there is a crime or need for help. Muir’s setting in the beautiful mountain ranges was so persuasive. Unfortunately, I can not think of one place in Illinois that will make me feel so healthy and alive like it continues to do for Muir. When reading his article I thought about the cold winter and beautiful mountains in Colorado. Every one should be able to experience this nature; the nature that isn’t masked with cars, schools, and homes.
After reading both pieces, I was jealous I couldn’t connect with Muir’s piece. Of course it sounded like the perfect place, but I have never had that kind of experience. Instead, I thought Kuo’s article was similar to my walk through the south suburbs. Physical features really make homes look special and meaningful; at least, more pleasant than homes that have no landscape. I would be scared to walk up to a house that had no plants and appeared run down versus a house that has beautiful plants that people take the time to water. Nature’s physical features definitely have an impact on me being more open to my community. I love taking walks with fifteen foot trees protecting me. If I really had to I could even hide behind a bush or a group of trees if I had to. Scenery is very welcoming, and definitely creates a friendly atmosphere.