Wildlife Reset

Most Saturdays like everyone, I like to sleep in. Yesterday my body had other ideas. I woke earlier than on the days when I need to be in early for work. I checked the news and found the world was still crazy. People still hated each other and overlooked the many things they have in common for the few things they seem to disagree upon. I ate my breakfast in silence and noticed that after I fed the dogs it was so early that they went back to bed on their own. When they did, Russia was still fighting any peace process, Gaza was a wasteland and the federal government was shut down with furloughs imminent. Cheery stuff. Part way through my coffee I decided I needed nature. I needed a lot of nature. So, I packed up my camera equipment, laced up my hiking boots, left my wife a note by the coffee maker and pointed my truck out of the driveway in the dark and toward the Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge.

A reasonable drive and another cup of coffee later, the headlights of the truck were giving way to sunrise in the refuge. Normal sunrises are quiet affairs that slowly make themselves known to the world. Yesterday’s sunrise exploded over the tree line and burst into existence. One minute I was driving down the access road in the dark and the next minute The Refuge was covered in oranges and yellows and wildlife began moving all around me. I knew then that I had made the right decision.

I set out on the levees in the direction where I know I can run into wildlife. The conditions were nearly perfect. There was a strong wind in my favor, the grass was wet so I made little noise walking and there were few other people out at this time of day. The wind and cool morning air were delightful. Every now and then there would be a lull and I could hear the refuge awakening. Millions of insects, birds and animals singing a morning chorus together. I hiked in silence and simply listened, watched and took photographs for miles. Keeping in mind of course that the last two times in a row that I have hiked The Refuge, I have come upon venomous snakes on the Levees. Wise not to become completely hypnotized.

About four miles into my hike, I was working my way along the levee back toward the truck watching the wind swept waters and keeping my eyes open for my first glimpse of any land animal. So far none had shown themselves. Camera in hand photographing Glossy Ibis at the time, a medium sized brown hawk shape glided slowly across the levee in front of me out onto the marsh near me. It looked the like the one I had taken a picture of earlier but had not been able to identify. I thought at first it was an American Kestrel. No…too big. Then it hit me…Northern Harrier. I have read about these interesting marsh predators. They have the bodies of hawks and heads and faces that look like an owl. The owl shape, apparently aids in the use of sound to hunt mice, moles, and voles etc. Here was this beautiful mythical looking creature seeming to pose for me.

The Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge is stunning on a bad day. Saturday was NOT a bad day. It was an excellent day. A beautiful day. A gift of a day which I was grateful for many times aloud. Multiple times in this forum I have suggested to readers that you unplug and go outside in some form or fashion. Saturday, I merely needed to follow my own advice I pondered as I walked the windswept levee nearing the trailhead.

But I never leave The Refuge after a hike without a slow drive down toward the lighthouse. You never know what awaits around the bend for the curious mind. So, I loaded my stuff into the truck and puttered toward the lighthouse enjoying the sights. While doing so I pulled off the road and allowed others who were speeding down the access road to rush past me. What could be so important at the end of the dead end road? Don’t you know what you are missing? On my way out of The Refuge my patience was rewarded. Off in the distance…so far away that my 180-600mm lens was stretching to capture it was a beautiful bald eagle. Our nations symbol.

As I headed home I was grateful. Grateful I had followed my instinct to come to The Refuge, grateful I can go, grateful to be able to see these stunning creatures somewhere so close to home. Then, I was grateful to be grateful. Some may not ever experience the humility that comes with gratitude. I think that I shall try to remember that lesson.

Nature hit my reset button yesterday. It didn’t change the world’s problems. It just changed my perspective. If you live in the Tallahassee-Leon County area and are reading this and have not experienced the Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge, go. You will be grateful you took the time to do so. If you don’t around here, find a wild place near you and go be in it. Be quiet and watch and listen while you are. Spend time there and prepare by learning what to look for. You’ll be glad you did.

A quick note about subscribers-As those of you who subscribe to this blog know, it’s free. I would like to extend my reach and expand my subscribers. For that, I need your help. If you like what you see and read here, please share it and encourage others to subscribe. I’d be grateful.

If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. Call 988 or if you are in the Big Bend of Florida call 211. The 2nd Alarm Project has many resources available as well (2ndalarmproject.org). If you are interested in getting notified when a new blog is posted and are not subscribed, please consider subscribing by entering your email in the “subscribe” icon on the home page. Then you’ll get an email each time a new blog is posted. If you appreciate what you have read here, please feel free to share as you are led across your social media or via email. There just might be someone out there who needs to see this content. Thank you all and stay safe.