I often look at pictures like this and wonder, what is really happening here? Obviously it's a forest somewhere, filled with trees, bushes, moss and dirt. But what story is it telling us?
Perhaps the trees can't wait to tell you how old they are, and the things they have seen...
... or maybe the wild boar would like to tell you the story about the delicious mushroom he just dug up...
... or perhaps the starling would like to relate the amazing birds eye view he just got of spring coming to life.
There is no doubt mother nature is beautiful to look at, but what is she really trying to tell us? Writers throughout the ages have tried to decipher just that message. Beatrix Potter and Thornton Burgess wrote many of our most beloved tales, full of wonder and adventure, but one man (who's birthday recently passed) we have much to thank for.
John James Audubon would have turned two hundred and twenty six this past Tuesday. Born with a love of nature, especially for birds, he created some of the most prolific illustrations of wild birds the world has ever seen, and inspired a new love of nature for an entire nation (not to mention inspired the namesake of one of the worlds forerunners in conservation).
So in honor of Mr. Audubon, and all he has inspired we would like to challenge you to tell us the stories nature tells you. Or better yet, what stories is nature telling our youngest generation? I would venture to bet the best stories are yet to come.
Here's to a great man and all he inspired, and to the stories nature tells us...
Happy Birthday Audubon!
~ Jordan
*Last time in Knowing Green: Signs of the Season
