Sensational

I’ve noticed that sensational stuff gets more attention. If I’m going to write, I want enough readers to make it worth my effort. So I decided to make this post truly “sense-sational”. It is all about the stimuli in nature that are most striking to our senses during this season.

I am constantly delighted by the sights in nature every day… from the little details to the grand vistas. There are so many textures, shapes and colors. I can’t choose whether the most amazing is the view from the top of a bluff, the carpet of wildflowers below the trees, or the lovely beetle on the golden mushroom.

For sound, the most sensational thing this time of year has to be the birds. They start before dawn, with the cacophony outside my window telling me to get out of bed and not waste the cool of the day. Around the house, I have my barn swallows. I presume it is the same birds returning each year, coming back to reclaim their favorite nesting spots on the little ledges I attached to the trusses under the front balcony. They perch on the rail and sing their gratitude; or maybe they are cursing at me. Either way, it is a lovely song. In the woods, my favorite is the melodic chortle of the wood thrush. A fairly plain bird with a lovely flute-like voice.

The scents of Spring can be delightful. I will be passing through a section of woods and a strong waft of fragrance stops me in my tracks. I must see what is blooming. A couple of weeks ago, the tantalizing aroma was the chokecherry blossoms. I was sad when they were finished. But then the black locust began to bloom, and they are truly sensational… in both fragrance and appearance, and even flavor. Now the locust blossoms are fading, but soon the basswood will begin. The trees take their turns to keep me and the bees happy.

Perhaps the most striking sensation of touch that I experience this time of year is the sting of the nettles. The stinging/slender nettles are not too vicious early in the year when I collect their tender shoots to eat, but by now they are large and mean. Even the smaller wood nettles have a nasty sting.

We can’t forget taste. I enjoy foraging, so Spring provides me with many flavorful treats. The vine of greenbrier is robust and prickly, often grabbing at my clothing and hair and blocking my path. But their tender shoots are one of my favorite “trail nibbles”. The texture reminds me of asparagus. The flavor is a tangy green.  The other prickly plant that will soon be giving me treats is the blackcap raspberry, my all-time favorite fruit.

I am blessed to have access to a large forest that delights my senses constantly. But I have a secret: you don’t need a big area to experience nature. Even living in the big Twin Cities for 30 years, I only needed to step out my back door to find sense-sational nature experiences. So wherever you’re at, I encourage you to take time to get out daily to see, hear, smell, touch and taste nature. Leave a comment about your favorite!

Don’t forget to check the Iowisota events page to see what opportunities we have coming up. Also check your local libraries and nature centers for talks and activities.