If you get far enough away from civilization, you can avoid the sounds of cars and trucks and other noise pollutants and just enjoy the tranquility found there. A few years ago, Jim and I were taking a nature hike in the White Mts. and whispering about how quiet the spot was. The only sounds were the falling leaves of autumn and a chipmunk, skittering from branch to branch. We could hear the motion of the stream, and all was blessedly quiet.

All of a sudden, the silence was disturbed by one little boy who took the forest for his own romping ground, crashing through the underbrush, hooting and hollering, with two parents trailing behind. Some days, silence is elusive and communing with nature is out of the question.

There is no prettier sight that wild swans. These swans over-winter in Rhode Island in protected coves such as this one.

We always enjoy seeing birds, whether they are hawks hanging out in leafless trees, hunting for a meal of mice, or herons standing in any and every roadside wet spot in New Hampshire. Bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback in the state and can be seen in various spots along the Merrimack River where there is plenty of fish. The yearly migration patterns will soon bring smaller birds back to summer in New Hampshire, a dream of many people who do not live here. Hummingbirds arrive during the first days of April and usually, there is not much food available for them, by then. It is a thrill when immature birds arrive at the feeder.

Usually, I can count on Orioles showing up on Mother’s Day to feast on the nectar on the apple blossoms of the old tree in our yard. There is a lot of satisfaction in seeing living birds and animals, fending for themselves and surviving the odds of survival. For me, there is nothing more refreshing than to go hiking and observe the changing landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that is ever present in little-trod areas. Here’s hoping that Nature will inspire you and perhaps, your needlework or quilts This is a small wall quilt I made so long ago, I don’t remember when!

Swan wall quilt designed and made by Patricia Cummings says, “and then there were two.”

Until next time,

Patricia Cummings

Tags:

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 5:09 pm and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.