Nature as Solace During Uncertain Times

Over the past few decades, I’ve been lucky to live within a 5 min. walk or if further away, a bike ride to very large parks and escape to Nature’s calming presence.

Downy woodpecker. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Even in urban parks, I can very quickly immerse in the leafy stillness, sunshine, twittering birdsongs, rustling swaths of wild grass and bush,  or even enjoy cultivated flowers and lush flowering trees.

Chickadee among cherry blossoms. Vancouver BC 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Not surprisingly to shake self-isolation blues because of societal restrictions this year, people take off to parks if they can’t get their Nature fix in their backyard, if they have one.

Though Nature can be harsh, even dangerous occasionally, it is unchanging in its seasons, rhythms of life and death that cycle long after us.

Downy woodpecker. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Park. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Old growth trees. Botanical Gardens. University of British Columbia. Vancouver BC 2016. Photo by J.Chong

Red breast Robin. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Spring flower brilliance. By Kitslano Beach, Vancouver BC 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Sun breaks morning mist
Bird twitters, whistling happy
Echo-break the sleep.

Chickadee outside home entrance hole. Vancouver BC 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Purple poppy variety. Botanical Garden, University of British Columbia. Vancouver BC 2016. Photo by J.Chong

What joy lifts flower
Face sun dew morning
Cool, sweat washes clean.

Redwing Blackbird. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Carpet of happy summer flowers. Botanical Garden, University of British Columbia 2016. Photo by J.Chong

Tree swallow. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Park. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

 

Tree swallow. Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Behold flashing red,
Then yellow streaking up
Tree canopy on air.

Bald eagle. Vanier Park, Vancouver BC 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Waterfall, Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park. Alberta 2018. Photo by J. Becker. Rainbow at bottom.

Tiny house wren. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary AB 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Suck in peace coursing
In water veins, cool drop
My cares away.

Bald eagle couple far up in trees. Prospect Point, Stanley Park. Vancouver BC 2020. Photo by J.Chong

Spring sunset. English Bay, Vancouver BC 2019. Photo by J.Chong