Time: 3:35
Temperature: 70 degrees F
Weather: Cloudy
Location: Edgewood Park, San Carlos CA
Journal #3
1.
 |
| Landscape drawing: Features California bay and Coast Redwood |
2. “For supporting me to live, I give thanks to all the fungi, trees, birds, and thousands of species I encounter every day."
3. In the background of my site stand two GIGANTIC California Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Its leaves are green dark on top, and white on the bottom (stomatal rows). At the tip of the leaf, young, bright green needles are starting to emerge. It's leaves are on a 2D plane, similar to the Abies grandis, and have an alternate arrangement. Unlike the conifers in the PNW, the California Redwood bears very small, round pine cones. Its trunk is huge and peeling. The leaves have no aroma, and they quite spiky. As the wind hits the redwood, it brushes the leaves together, creating a majestic, calming sound. Although not as mighty as the California Redwood, I am surrounded by many California Bay (Umbellularia californica). Its leaves are shiny, they have entire margins and an alternate leaf arrangement. New, bright green leaves are sprouting, and they are smooth but very thick. I take a leaf off, break it in half, and am immediately overwhelmed with the incredible smell of bay leaf. I notice black dots on the leaves; I wonder what insect that is from. Its trunk is small and relatively smooth. Lying under the shade of the California Bay lies Miners Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata). This native plant is fleshy and herbaceous, with seemingly hairy leaves. It is light green and has round, disk-like leaves, which surround its smooth, tender stem. The stem passes directly through the round leaf there is a small white flower growing on top of its rounded leaves. It lacks odor, but when I touch it has an ever-so-slightly sandpapery texture. It is a very cute and elegant plant. Abundant at my site is Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis). This shrub is about 4 feet tall, and its leaves are small and smooth, but inconspicuously sticky. Its leaves are serrate, but not like other serrations I've seen. The serrations on these leaves are very spread out and pronounced. It lacks odor, but as the wind blows past, it sounds like someone angrily shaking a tree. My site is overwhelmingly green, thus the bright purple of the Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major) catches my eye immediately, even though it is not abundant. It has 5 flat petals, with a gradient-like purple getting darker as it approached the tips. It is incredibly smooth and thin and almost has a fleshy feel. It is very symmetric; it kind of looks like a pinwheel. Its leaves are simple and opposite. Looking closely, I notice fine hairs on the margins. It smells like dewy grass.
4. Practicing mindfulness today was exactly what I needed, especially during this uncertain time. As I lay back and listen to the bird's chirp and wind hitting the trees, it takes me back to my childhood playing in the Redwood National Forest. Since coming to UW, I haven't encountered any Redwoods. While there are other spectacular trees in the PNW, nothing can quite beat the magnificent California Redwood. Sitting and quietly observing the Redwoods today was the first time in a while I really thought about and appreciated them. When I was younger, I was fascinated by their grandiose but calm presence. It marveled at their confidence, yet wise and quiet demeanor. I had forgotten about their magnificence until today when I had the opportunity to observe this amazing tree and ponder its majesty as I did years ago. I hadn't realized how much I miss the sight of Redwood trees. It has always been my favorite tree, but it surprised me that simply its presence today brought back so many childhood memories.
5) Looking at nature through a scientific perspective is important. However, it is equally as important (if not more) to simply observe nature and embrace nature in a non-scientific perspective. Today's exercise reminded me a lot of two themes in the book, "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Krimmerer. She writes about nature through the eyes of indigenous knowledge (rather than scientific), and by doing so, addresses reciprocity and gratitude. Krimmerer emphasizes how modern societies have become accustomed to the mindset that everything that earth creates is for our taking because scientifically speaking, plants should keep reproducing. But in fact, to be sustainable, it is vital to give back what we take, not only to replenish what we took but to build a relationship and respect with the environment. She also emphasizes how we have forgotten to practice gratitude, but we must practice gratitude for all the gifts earth provides us. Practicing mindfulness today, I thought a lot about Krimmerer and her themes of reciprocity and gratitude. Unlike other journal entries where it is centered around identifying and characterizing species, this journal one felt more personal and meaningful. Adding meaning to nature is not done through science, but through gratitude and reciprocity.
No comments:
Post a Comment