Tag: nature

Why and How to Spend More Time in Nature

The earliest humans lived as one with nature. Then came agriculture, houses, and a chance to get a good night’s sleep without worrying about getting eaten by a predator. Those things are still pretty great, but they also mean that many of us have lost touch with the natural world, to our detriment. Time spent in green spaces or near bodies of water, such as the ocean, are good for mental and physical health. But with all the demands of work and family, it can be hard to figure out how to make time for a walk in the park, let alone some real downtime in the woods. However, there are steps both big and small you can take to alter your way of living.

 

Change Jobs

It’s a big change and it isn’t for everyone, but if city life and going to an office or other indoor place of work is driving you crazy, you could get a job that puts you into the outdoors. This might involve landscaping or similar work, or you could go back to school and pursue a graduate degree in a field like forestry, environmental science, or marine biology. Depending on what your bachelor’s degree is in, you may need to take some additional classes to prepare yourself for the shift in focus, but universities are increasingly used to and generally welcome non-traditional students.

Private student loans are one way to pay for your degree. If you’ve been out in the workforce for a while, you may have a good credit record, which can improve the chances of approval. There are Earnest graduate loans that are known for offering flexible options for repayment and can cover all of your costs in some cases.

 

Change Your Daily Life

If you are a nature lover, there are many less drastic things you may be able to do to get outside more, such as commuting to work by bicycle or trying to spend more of your lunches in the park across the street rather than hunched over your keyboard in the office. You can also look into doing more outdoor activities in your leisure time. This can feel intimidating for people who don’t have friends or family who are heavily into things like hiking or kayaking, but you can start by driving out after work or on a weekend morning to a busy, easy trail with plenty of people on it. Another way to incorporate the outdoors into your regular routine is by swapping some of your gym workouts for running, cycling, or circuit training outside.

 

Make it a Family Affair

If you have children, you’ll be doing them a favor by making regular time in the outdoors part of their lifestyle. They may be reluctant at first if this hasn’t been part of the family routine, but stand firm and find ways to make it fun. Go for walks after dinner instead of retreating to your respective devices. For that matter, eat the dinner itself outside, picnic-style. Wrap the kids up in warm clothes and take them to the park or just into the backyard even when it’s cold out. Help them find an outdoor activity that’s so much fun they can’t say no to it.

3 LA Hikes To Abandoned Ruins

Nuclear war escape tunnels, 127 year old mines, and abandoned zoos. This is what the LA mountains have to offer.

People have come and gone, but the remains of what they left behind can still be seen today. If you consider yourself an adventurer, we’ve got three abandoned places you can hike to this weekend.

Let’s jump right to it!

Shoemaker Canyon Road

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1404 ft

While in the midst of the Cold War,, Los Angelinos feared a nuclear attack from the Soviets. Because there’s only so many exits out of Socal, they decided to build a road through the San Gabriel Mountains. This road is now known as Shoemaker Canyon Rd, named after the Shoemaker Mine.

The road weaves its way through precipitous mountain cliffs, abandoned bee farms, and of course two long tunnels. Construction on the tunnels began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. The project was permanently shut down in 1969 after conservationists and a limited budget dealt the final blow.

Although the tunnels remain a relic of an eerie past, they’ve become a popular hiking destination.

Two bonus drainage tunnels underneath the road add to the excitement, and the parking lot itself boasts a viewpoint of the San Gabriel River and Heaton Flats 500 feet below.

I highly suggest hiking to the tunnels in the spring, fall, or winter. If you visit in the summer, take plenty of water and a hat as there is no shade aside from the two tunnels.

You can also extend the trail by hiking up to Rattlesnake Peak via the same trailhead as Shoemaker.

Old LA Zoo

Distance: 2.5 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 383 ft

Built in 1912, the Old LA Zoo housed about 15 animals, some of which included bears, bobcats, ostriches, and monkeys. By 1949, the zoo was home to over 1000 animals. However, all was not well.

The zoo was running on an extremely limited budget from the start. Cages were crowded, and some animals lived in less than ideal living conditions.

In 1958 a rally to increase the zoo’s budget was initiated, and in 1966, the Old LA Zoo was abandoned with the opening of the new LA Zoo we all know and love.

You can still explore the spooky Old LA Zoo, which has become a popular hiking destination, especially near Halloween season.

Multiple structures lay side by side in the woodsy hills of Griffith Park, the most iconic being the old polar bear cages. The easy hike consists of a dirt road that boasts amazing views of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forest.

If you visit on a weekend, you can ride the ferris wheel at the trailhead which was built in 1926 and was the inspiration for Walt’s Disneyland!

Big Horn Mine

Distance: 4 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 587 ft

The Big Horn Mine was founded in 1895 by Charles Vincent Dougherty (later known as Charles Tom Vincent after killing 3 men in Arizona and fleeing the state) while hunting for bighorn sheep.

The hike begins at Vincent’s Gap and proceeds via a single track crowded by tall pine trees and breathtaking views of Mount San Antonio. Be very careful if you visit shortly after a snowfall as there are certain sections on the trail that get very narrow. Should you slip it’ll be a long way down.

Once you arrive at the mine, you’ll notice the remains of what used to be the building. You can venture inside the structure, but the real fun is inside the mine. The portal (entrance) is located near the back of the building.

Inside the mine, tunnels split into different directions, huge pits litter the area, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of droplets falling from the ceiling. There’s a lake inside the mountain, but you can only see a small portion as the rest of the lake disappears into another adit (tunnel).

When heading back to the trailhead, don’t forget to take a detour and visit Vincent’s cabin which still stands today! Vincent lived by himself in that tiny cabin located about a mile away from the mine.

3 Great Ways to Enjoy Spring

It is important to get out and enjoy your surroundings and nature this Spring! After being locked in my home for so long due to quarantine, I have never had more of an urge to get outside to simply just get outside and enjoy my surroundings. This spring is the perfect time for that! It has almost been a full year since America has not been completely open so here are three reasons why you should get outdoors and enjoy spring now.

1. Be in Awe of Nature 

I think that nature reminds us of the simple beautiful things in life. We see nature all around us, but when do we really take the time to get off of our electronics and enjoy it? Nature is something so significant because nature is one thing that is out of our control, but we can just enjoy it. The fact that something as simple as fresh green grass or small flowers is impossible for us humans to create from scratch just blows my mind.

I think that nature is so complex, but appears to be simple. There are so many things in nature that leave me in awe. For example, lately, I have been in awe of bees and the simple fact that they can literally make honey for us. The fact that something as small as a bee can produce products for us humans is so mesmerizing to me. Also, I have been taken aback by the grandness of the ocean and how 80% of it is undiscovered, yet we can go visit the ocean but have no idea what is actually in there. We are only aware of things close to the shore.

I feel that spring is the perfect time to take in and learn more about nature since spring is the season of growth and the weather is beginning to warm up. Now is the time to be in awe of nature and the things around us – especially since we are hopefully moving away from COVID restrictions. 

2. Take Advantage of the Warm Weather by Working Out Outside

Personally, I love working out because it makes me feel like I am being productive, and I know that the right workouts are beneficial to my overall health. These past couple of months, I have been working out indoors because the weather has been colder. I will not complain too much, though, because I live in Florida and I know that some states get a lot colder than it does here.

With that being said, now is the perfect time to outdoors and be active. For me, I love going on runs outside compared to running inside because I always burn more calories. Overall, I prefer to workout outdoors because I sweat more; meaning that I am burning more fat and the more I sweat, the harder I feel that I worked. If you want, you can even find some friends who will work out with you outside or you can start a workout group. The warm weather always motivates my friends and me to be active outside! 

3. Other Spring Outdoor Activities

Other than working out and taking in nature, I have been doing tons of outdoor activities with friends and by myself. I have been enjoying getting some food and eating outside in a quiet safe place. For me, I live on a college campus, so I usually find a quiet area to sit and eat. During the time I am eating, I usually stick in my AirPods and watch some Netflix or Youtube in the warm weather. I usually like to eat lunch alone outdoors because it gives me time to regather my thoughts throughout a busy day.

In addition, I LOVE to paint with my friends outdoors. I am no artist at all when it comes to painting, but I enjoy talking with friends while painting. Sometimes, I follow simple paint tutorials on Pinterest so that I can get some ideas flowing of what to paint.

Header Image Source

About The Author

Genesis Lee-Smith is an 18-year-old college freshman who is originally from Georgia but is attending school in Florida. She loves writing and seeing what other people enjoy writing about. Writing is important to Genesis because she believes it is a great way for people to connect, inspire others, educate, and give advice.

Why Having A Garden Is Good For Your Mental Health

Having your own garden is not just aesthetically pleasing, it can benefit your health and overall wellness.

As you get older you can now understand your mom’s or grandmother’s obsession with having a garden or doing gardening on their day off.

 

There is something about it, something that helps us connect with mother nature again. Is it something in the soil that brings us back to the original self, or is it the fact that we gave someone life and a new beginning?

 

Healing your soul with more green

We got used to urban living and the never ending sea of concrete that we often forget about our connection to other life forms on this planet.

Since the Covid-19 disaster struck, many of us decided to build our own little sanctuary where we can hide from all of the bad news and bad energies. Plants and herbs are known for their healing properties – but can they help you heal your soul as well?

Science says yes.

Green therapy has gained popularity nowadays in treating depression and anxiety and a lot of psychiatrists recommend it instead of medications.

 

Is spring the right time to start your revival process?

Winters are magical for many reasons. Snow is the main ingredient of your winter fairytale, yet you are probably feeling a bit tired of it by now. It is hard to remain active during winter as there is not enough daylight and a lot of people experience seasonal depression episodes.

In the wake of a new spring, it is amazing how nature revives all over again. This can be a great time to awaken your spirits as well. Gardening is not an expensive hobby and it’s very versatile. Create your garden on a balcony, in a backyard, or place your little pieces of creation in the living room.

Think about spaces first and equip yourself with essentials. Gloves, a rake, hand pruners, loppers, a watering can and discover the benefits of flower window boxes.

But what about the plants? We are glad that you asked!

Which plants are best if you are a beginner?

You’ve probably heard people saying that they are not so crafty with plants. That even their cactus managed to wither away even considering their natural climate is a harsh desert. So, in order to not disappoint with your first gardening venture, try choosing something easier to keep alive. Orchids are majestic but they are high maintenance – so leave them for when you become a gardening expert.

 

For your first time, we recommend succulents, snake plants, and also lavender. Herbs are a great choice as well. Just imagine, the fresh scent or their beautiful leaves that lingerie through your kitchen. It will instantly give you back some motivation to keep experimenting in the kitchen. Also try chives, basil, oregano, and mint. Can you already smell the freshness in the air?

 

Another great idea is planting a vegetable garden. Organic food is always the healthiest choice – and the products of your own labor are always the sweetest. If you have depression or anxiety it is a known fact that processed foods and sugars make things even worse. If you start planting now, you will have some fresh radishes, onions, or lettuce to enjoy pretty fast.

 

Health and wellness benefits of gardening

Gardening is a great choice if you want to improve your health and wellbeing. Since we are still living in fear due to the pandemic, it is time to make your little garden of Eden in your backyard. No forbidden fruits, of course, it is your garden after all.

 

Gardening is beneficial because we are in contact with the soil, rich in nutrients. There is something magical happening when we are touching the soil – it has healing benefits. It is the essence of life.

 

Keep calm and keep gardening….

What is also beneficial is that this process is extremely calming. It is a form of meditation. You can have your alone time to think. Focus is also improved drastically – you can avoid harsh thoughts and focus on something that is both productive and creative.

 

Depression is also caused by the lack of sunlight and vitamin D deficiency. So gardening will be there to get you out of the gloomy atmosphere and give your daily dose of vitamin D.

 

Gardening is also a great physical exercise. If you suffer from depression or anxiety, sometimes it is hard to start exercising regularly… because sometimes getting out of your bed could be quite challenging.

 

People who are suffering from mental illnesses are tired constantly due to bad thoughts and exhaustion – but a much different kind of exhaustion compared to physical. In the end, they are full of energy that is wasting in their bodies – it later converts into insomnia. It is a circle that is hard to break. Work hard but don’t push yourself to the limit as the goal is to enjoy this process.

 

But what about the aesthetics?

Beauty and aesthetics are an important part of your healing. If you are stuck in a gloomy and stale environment, it is the most logical thing that eventually you will blend in. You can’t heal in the environment that made you sick in the first place. Surround yourself with beauty. With aesthetically pleasing surroundings, your healing process will go much smoother.

 

Greenery is a great way to refresh your living spaces. What is another thing you can do to refresh your home? Add different water fixtures.  The sound of water running is natural and calming – and the best thing is it can fit all types of spaces which complement your greenery perfectly. From small fountains to water walls or even koi ponds or a fiberglass pool if you own a huge backyard.

 

Play with colorful pots, plant vibrant flowers, and pine trees. It would be your perfect getaway – and it is in your little domain.

 

Fire pits and outdoor pizza ovens can make spring and summer nights warmer and cozier. So you can enjoy a nice homemade snack (with the oregano and basil from your garden) and you will have a nice view of your little garden, your own work of art. Also, the scent of flowers, pine trees, and water combined – our travel options are still a bit limited but luckily with a bit of imagination, you can have fresh mountain air combined with the sea breeze.

 

In conclusion

Gardening is for enjoying with all of your senses. It is hard work but in the end, it comes with a prize. You will be proud that you did all of that with your own ten (green) fingers and you set the foundations for your little piece of heaven. Most importantly, the peace of your mind. Gardening can help with calming your inner storms by channeling them into something beautiful.

 

Header Image Source 

 

About The Author

Stacey is a freelance writer living in Minnesota with her cat, and she’s passionate about yoga, languages, home improvement, and drinking strong coffee. Find her on Twitter @StaceyShann0n

10 Nostalgic Summer Activities to Channel Your Inner Tiny Tot

With Summer in full swing, how we spend this season can vary for all of us. Some of us are taking classes, working, traveling, and all of us are probably enjoying one too many adult beverages. As so many of us give the whole “adulting” nonsense a go around, it can bring bouts of unwanted stress that make you want to curl up no matter how beautiful the weather. When the stress is high or the boredom emerges, immerse yourself back to the carefree nature where our biggest stress involved eating the green things on our plates and participating in chores with some of these nostalgic summer activities:

1) Catch Fireflies

I know it is hard to remember how we passed the time without the distraction of our electronic best friend, and no I’m not talking about the Tamagotchi pet…I am talking about our smart phone. However, take some time this summer and put the phone down. Get a mason jar and spend a night chasing fireflies. Embrace the summer night and probably a few mosquito bites.

2) Pool Day…Floaties and All

A pool day usually involves Bluetooth speaker of sorts and a cooler full the spiked seltzer of your preference and cheap beer. On one of your ventures to the pool, make a pit stop at Wally World and pick up some floats, noodles, and water guns. Let nostalgia storm in full swing with Marco/Polo, Sharks and Minos. Do that thing the youthful souls do and make up your own games that lack consistency or common sense and get in a suffice amount of cardio just splashing around.

3) Picnic

What is better than good weather and good snacks? I’ll wait…For a throwback this summer, grab your best pals or summer love and find a place with a view to set up a picnic. We may not be able to channel the full nostalgia with a Vault soda to quench your thirst or Kudos bar to hit the sweet spot but you can pack some Go-Gurt, Capri-Sun, Flintstone Push Pops, Uncrustables, Lunchables, Little Debbie snacks just to get your mouth watering. Throw in a few Ring Pops, some PEZ candies and maybe even some Dunk-A-Roos. Take a day and cheat with your avocado toast and give your tastebuds a blast from the past.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing For Women

Fishing For Women

Nowadays, women are finding sheer interest in the fishing sector. Some do it as part of their careers, while some do it as a hobby. 

Women are turning their attention towards fishing because it introduces them to new outdoor activities, which helps them reconnect with nature. Fishing offers relaxation and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is also the kind of sport that gets you active and outdoors.

In most of the fishing sectors, women are involved in tasks that come before and after the fishes are hauled. But many women desire to put their hands on catching the fish. So, if you are one of the women who want to start fishing and learn how to get started with it, this is the right place for you.

In this article, you will find what basic requirements and necessary gear and prep to get started with fishing.

Fishing Essentials to Get Started 

  • Fishing License:

The first thing you need to do is to acquire a fishing license. You can even go fishing on the same day you have bought the license. Every state has specified a set of rules and regulations to follow when fishing. You can access this information on your state’s online websites or get printed material from the nearby shops. These rules and laws are put forth for protecting the future fishing stocks. Because there are certain rules on catching a specific type, number, and size of fish.

  • Find the best fishing spot:

You can find ideal locations online.  There are specific local websites and maps to find the best fishing spots near your area. It is good for beginners to select the top family fishing spots as you will be surrounded by plenty of people. If the location is close to your residence, you can visit it at peak times to study other fishermen’s actions.

 

  • Gather all of the necessary fishing gear and tackle:

As a beginner, you don’t need to have a lot of gear or tackle for fishing. Just assemble the basic gear, which is listed below, and you are good to go!

A rod and reel:

A spinning rod and reel is preferable for beginners. Make sure to select the rod that fits comfortably into your fist. When it comes to reel, choose the close-faced reel as it is suitable for beginners. If you want to have a portable and convenient rod, then go for the telescopic fishing rod.

Fishing line:

It is necessary to have a good fishing line if you are fishing for the first time. There are three types of fishing lines in the market, namely monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon. You can have a look at this fishing line guide for a detailed description of which one would be best for you.

Clippers:

You will need these for cutting your fishing line.

Split Shots:

These are used along with the live-bait offerings to entice the fish. Adding the split shots along with the worm suspended below the bobber will help you catch more fish.

Hooks and Weights:

You will find combo kits containing different types of hooks and weights, which are preferable for beginners. If you are going to try your hands on catch and release fishing method, then better go for the circle hooks, which are more fish-friendly than other hooks. 

Bobbers:

The plastic bobbers are inexpensive, and they float on water, which helps you to easily notice them when the fish begins to bite.

Pilers:

They help in removing the hooks from your catch.

Bait:

Live bait is ideal for local fishing spots. Most of the tackle shops store the live bait so that you can easily find them while looking for other essentials. You can also have the soft, artificial baits as an option.

  • Practice and learn a few simple fishing knots:

You can keep practicing on tying the knots until you get them done right. You can follow some visual tutorials for an easy learning experience.

 

Extra essentials to take with you while fishing:

Some of the extra essentials are better to keep handy in case of emergencies.

  • An ice chest if you want to take back some of the fish.
  • A net if you want to release the fish after catching.
  • Carry sunglasses to protect your eyes in case of extreme weather.
  • Fishing ruler and scale to measure the size and weight of fish.
  • Take a hat for protective covering from the scorching sun.
  • Plenty of water to quench your thirst.
  • A cell phone in case of emergency.

A Step By Step Start of your first fishing experience:

Once you have gathered all the essentials, you can head to the fishing spot and give it your first go. After you arrive at the fishing spot, unload your tackle gear and bait your hook with the live bait that you have brought along.

Now, attach the plastic bobber on your fishing line, depending on the depth of the water. This placement will help you get your bait at the appropriate location in the water body. Wait until you notice any movement against the rod. 

Once the fish catches the bait, you can start actively reeling. If you have circle hooks, you don’t need to jerk upwards to set the hook. You only need to reel it. But if you are using the standard hooks, you need to set your hook by raising the fishing rod into the air as quickly as possible. That’s it, and you have your first fish on the line. You will experience nature and all of it’s splendor from your first fishing experience, even though you are unable to catch a fish on your first try.

Lastly, make sure to learn how to release the fish as you don’t have to keep all of them.

Go fish!

Understanding Our Egos And How We Fit Within Nature

Science Wins

Not many of us were taught that we are a part of nature in school. I certainly wasn’t. In fact humans were rarely featured on the same images of fish, insects, plants or even mammals. I played in nature, spent summers on my grandparents farm, skied in snow, planted a garden, even started a business using plant based ingredients. But I never saw myself as part of it.

I have hugged trees, swam in waters with sharks and saved pigeons. I have seen myself as a guardian, as a protector, but I never considered my flesh as part of a tree.

 

Until now.

It was a great awakening for me to combine my intuitive self with science. That my deep love of trees was not just woo woo or as my son would say hippy stuff – but a fact. A part of a tree resides in all of us from the act of breathing – we need trees and we should be hugging them. Perhaps my love of birds also stems from them being a fellow tetrapods. Like mammals – birds, reptiles, amphibians all came from water. And don’t get me started on how we are made of stardust.

Knowing this, the attack of COVID19 on humans should be no surprise.

We are a part of the food web that lives in this biosphere – we do not control it nor are we observers. We are active participants, as much as the worm or ant that we carelessly step on and COVID19 is just a big foot stepping on us.

COVID19 shouldn’t be taken personally or as a judgement of good or bad. COVID19 is the science of life. It is not Mother Nature getting mad at humans. It is the eco system we live in out of balance.

We have not been good participants in nature. For the most part we have never considered how our needs affect other humans – let alone animals or plants. We are the number one killer of biodiversity. We do this in many ways. Clearing the trees for farming grain to feed the animals we eat, drilling and blowing up the ocean floor for oil and blasting into the ground we live on to collect natural gas are just a few.

Many of us know this and have long been fighting with each another to not tip the scales of our eco system. We have built charities, movements, clubs and even products to “fix” it.

Then along comes “the virus”.

Everything we thought we couldn’t do has happened in less than a month. We thought we could never stop the planes in the sky, the cars on the road, the constant consumption of meat and the daily dumping of plastic and garbage from our fast food lifestyles and mismanaged food system.

But stop it did.

We have seen pictures of the no longer polluted skies, the clear waters emerge. Many have shared how they can hear birds sing and or how the flowers blooming seem even more vibrant.

And hey – have you noticed it has been months and no one really knows anything about this virus?

This may or may not be someone’s fuck up in a lab in Wuhan – but it most certainly came from us manipulating nature we had no business manipulating in the first place. There will be many lives lost and entire economies will fall.

And it should come as no surprise. You cannot eliminate the biodiversity you thrive on and expect to live well.

The balance of nature was a term used by scientists, but stopped – for fear it gave people the wrong idea that nature would balance itself and there was no need to worry about climate change.

I would argue this. The balance of nature is alive and well – we just never thought of ourselves included in nature. Nor that we would be the ones being balanced.

We are being given a chance to change our professions, our work, our behaviors and to live in nature – not in a world outside of it. Our power is our ability to change the system we created instead of changing the eco system we reside in. There are many people with organizations already taking control of the recovery, the new economy, the vaccinations, the medicines and our future. People who want to continue the false idea that we can and should control nature.

We can follow them and stay in the abusive system that does not take care of its community or we can create a world that respects all including our neighbors in nature.

What is there to lose? Our jobs, our security, our illusions of happiness? Everything our old system promised us is gone. And honestly they have been long gone way before this virus hit.

Now is the time to rebuild – but rebuild it within the laws of nature. It is time to create the communities that we know in our core can exist and are the right way. Communities that are in nature and move to the beat of a drum that nourishes us and everything around us. A community that sustains and supports one another in health and wellness.

We are not meant to serve leaders and corporations. They were created by us to serve our community. But we stopped keeping them in check. We gave up our vote for the shinny thing we thought they gave us – the car, the toy, the home, the shopping, fame – whatever that is for you.

This is our opportunity to reframe this system. It is in our hands and in our hearts. The answers are in nature.

-Christine Dimmick

Read Detox Your Home 

Listen Be The Change Podcast Apple 

Live Clean Good Home Co

Also Read The Good Home Co Offers Household Tips During Quarantine 

 

Tips For Keeping A Birding Journal

Birding, or birdwatching, is a great activity. It’s easy, relaxing and brings you closer to nature, as well as giving you a real insight on all things ornithological. Recording sightings of birds is pseudonymous with keeping a birding journal, a way to stay on top of the different birds you’ve seen and increasing your capacity for properly cataloguing birds as you see them. However, a list of sightings does not an interesting journal make, and there Is a whole lot more that you can do to make it interesting, exciting and richly informative.

So, with that said, here are some tips for maintaining a birding journal properly.

Choose The Right Journal

There are all sorts of different journals available to you out on the market, it’s just a question of doing a little bit of research. Blank-paged journals give you total liberty over how you organize things, and lots of space to insert unusual things which interest you. Conversely, you could go for a journal with dates in it. This way you already have a metric by which you can order your sightings and you will never lose track of when it was you saw which species. It’s entirely up to you but it requires you to think ahead about the type of journal you want to keep.

Always Have Writing Supplies

This is a really tricky one for some people. It’s all very well having your well-organized journal at hand when you spot a rare bird, but if you don’t have a utensil to record the sighting you may very well forget details like time, or feather colors. The best solution is to find a journal which allows you to attach a pen and a pencil to it. The alternate option is that you find a way to constantly have writing supplies on you, maybe by replacing them in the bottom of you backpack every time. Whatever you do, this is vital.

Decide Your Criteria

When putting together a birding journal it can be a challenge to decide what needs to be written down and what might be considered less relevant information. “The truth is that there is no such thing as a right and wrong answer. You could take a zoological route and shoot for the ultra-scientific classifications, or you could honestly draw a picture, as we’ll discuss later, and then write how it made you feel,” explains Sarah Jones, bird watcher at  State Of Writing and Academized. However, if you really aren’t certain where to start, here are some basic criteria you can consider when recording a sighting: Date, Time, Location, Weather, Flora, Size, Color(s) of whole body, Song, Behavior. These will give you a really thorough pool of data to draw from later on and make sure that the sighting stays clear in your mind indefinitely.

Don’t Stress Too Much

In all likelihood, no-one will ever really read the journal. You might show people, but the point is, unless you do this for a career, it’s very unlikely it will end up published. The upshot of this is that you shouldn’t let form and attention to things like spelling or grammar be too much of a concern for you. It is far better for you to write freely more than anything else. It will keep the content genuine and leave you with a journal which will bring you great memories when you look at it later on in life.

Try Drawing

A really popular form of birding journal is the sketched birding journal. It goes without saying, but this essentially means that you draw the birds you see. “Now, if you really have no ability to sketch then this is more likely to be frustrating than anything else. But if you have even a shred of skill in this regard it can be a fantastic thing to do and, the more that you do it, the better it will look,” suggests Jason Jules, a writer at Australian Help and Paper Fellows. So give it a go!

Conclusion

Birding is an amazing activity that can be really rewarding as well as therapeutic. Birds are such beautiful creatures and, the second you start really looking, you realize just how many of them there are. Hopefully these ideas will come in handy as you embark on your own birding journal adventure.

Chloe Bennet is a health blogger at Essay Service and OX Essays portals. She writes about yoga, meditation, health and self-help. Also, Chloe teaches at Do my assignment Australia.

Exit mobile version