Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

People who have got dirty through too much civilization take a walk in the woods, or a bath in the sea. They may rationalize it in this or that way, but they shake off the fetters and allow nature to touch them. It can be done within or without. Walking in the woods, lying on the grass, taking a bath in the sea, are from the outside; entering the unconscious, entering yourself through dreams, is touching nature from the inside and this is the same thing, things are put right again. – C. G. Jung

I’ve been feeling a bit stagnant lately with regard to my creative projects. Indeed, I’ve been feeling that way on and off for several months, and I have been asking myself if I need to start doing things differently. Maybe dabble in another interest, find a fresh approach to an old project or otherwise create a new challenge for myself. (What I need is some kind of new challenge!)

While I continue to brainstorm (I am also open to suggestions if anyone has one), this morning I thought it might be nice to break with my normal routine and take a walk in the woods. A walk alone in the woods is for me almost always a “wonder walk,” or an “awe walk.” I go slowly and take plenty of time to look and listen. It’s the best medicine I know for stagnation, lack of inspiration, or getting my perspective muddied from “too much civilization,” as Jung says.

Today, I decided to go to a local park that not only has plenty of nature trails, but also has a pollinator garden and a lake. I had hoped to find and photograph a Green Heron at the lake, but that didn’t work out. I did, however, watch a Great Blue Heron catch a fish, which was fun. And I spent time with the tiger swallowtail butterflies who were hanging out in the pollinator garden.

I hope you enjoy these photographs from my wonder walk. There are also some photos here of the hummingbirds from my backyard.