New Life

A few days before Mother’s Day, a friend shared an enthralling picture and some videos of New Life. First there was a fascinating picture, from a nest cam, of the deep blue eggs, in a perfectly constructed Robin’s nest in my friend’s rhododendron bush. Then the chicks hatched and came the videos from her nest cam. The cam captured all without disturbing the chicks’ feeding rituals. How the chicks opened their beaks wide and how the parents fed them perfectly! Everyday we were clamoring for more on this new life, excited that it was happening right where we lived. The best was the day before Mother’s Day, when there were some snow flurries at night and the mother Robin created a shield with her wings to protect her little ones!

In these uncertain times, in the middle of the lockdown, with news about devastation and destruction coming in from everywhere, I really needed this breath of fresh air. It was a reminder of new life. Of Mother Nature continuing to do its thing regardless of the human calamities. It channeled me to pay closer attention to Spring this year. To observe the fresh new leaves and flowers sprouting from the trees with new life, new color. Listen closely to the chirping of birds. Follow the scampering squirrels chasing one another. Watch the hamster nest under the garden pipes, with our dog burrowing close behind. Feast my eyes on the little bunny rabbit as it hops into the hollow under the stairs. Wonder at the grand, swooping hawk as it finally settles on the trees from across our yard! When one looks around there is so much Mother Nature has to offer.

Possum playing dead

As stress and anxiety mounts, Nature is a great way to relax and feel some calm. We are fortunate to live in an area surrounded by conservation land. During winter, with leaves down, we can get an occasional glimpse of a red fox or coyotes, and even a white-tailed deer once in a while. As the foliage grows thick, the animals venture out more and we will be able to see a small herd of deer more frequently. Sometimes bog turtles get bold and wander away from their habitat, puzzling even our dog! I have encountered a possum, holding its own at first, then playing the classic dead. And if we are lucky, we can catch a great horned owl or two in the middle of the wooded trail. The wildlife is the icing on the cake; I am happy simply taking a long walk on the trail surrounded by the tall evergreens and maples, and with ferns adorning as ground cover.

Mother Robin shielding her chicks

The lockdown and lack of socializing may offer a new avenue for people to explore. Finding parks or gardens or trails near us and spending some time exploring new life. That day looking at the nest cam footage of the Robin Mom and her chicks drew my attention to how Mother Nature is therapeutic. She grounds us and shields us from everyday stress and anxiety - we only have to find her!