Natural Phenomena

• In my time, I’ve found that I’m rather limited in my abilities to experience the outdoors and consequentially I end up missing out on the delightful phenomena nature oft provides to us. It’s peculiar to write in the eyes of someone else and thus this feels almost obligatory to say, but I digress.
• I took a comforting, albeit short, walk to experience some of nature’s strongest features, with a focus on the fauna we so often neglect. My observations of which will be described in greater detail below. The standout was the squirrel I watched and followed for quite some time.

The Fast and the Fluffy Squirrel

• On my walk I noticed this squirrel wandering about nearby and decided to take a seat and observe it. It was nimbly hopping about and foraging in the trees and the dirt I walked nearby to. I dared to get closer to get a better look at exactly what it was looking for, but each time I did, it ended up running further away again!

• It seemed delicately aware of my presence- as most animals tend to be, but it curiously approached and bounded around as I sat and watched. In hindsight I wished I took a video of it rather than just a few photos. It jumped up onto a brick wall and sprinted around in this picture- then it immediately jumped off off it, eccentric little thing.

  

• I noted a particular instance of the squirrel climbing up a tree for a moment only to immediately climb back down and sprint off. I didn’t see the squirrel again after that and merely focused on continuing my walk to see if I noted anything else that was interesting.

• The squirrel didn’t stick around beyond these two pictures, but it stood out to me due to just how eccentric and rapid its movements were- it reminded me of someone sprinting around seeking to find something they lost, only much fluffier and smaller.

Following the Clouds

• The other included image is of the rainy road I encountered on my route back to my dorm. You’ll note the location almost immediately if you’ve been around campus- that’s right, it’s right outside Monroe Hall.
• The rain had started quite soon after my walk had started, so I spent some time in it. I listened to the drops on the pavement, felt the water gently stream into my shoes and onto my hands, taking in the tears of the environment. It was comforting and cooling after a hot walk and I certainly don’t mind that.
• I sat in the rain for a while wondering why I was given the limitations I was given- I’m someone who loves the outdoors but has grown to hate the experience due to my allergies and my other physical constraints- It’s frustrating.

My Perspective on Nature

• If I may be reflective for a moment, my perspective on the natural world has always been very warped- I cannot experience something I care deeply about, and something I would have put forth in my life so much more had I not been limited by what I have. I love nature, especially marine biology, and have always been fascinated by it. But I wonder if my fascination with it comes from my lack of being able to spend time in it…