07/16/2026
As I mowed the xcountry course today, I wished more people could see the diversity, beauty, calamity, that nature displays.
I tried to capture the dragonflies that flitted and crowned the tops of the timothy hay. I could not capture the gold that shimmered against the black of their wings. I watched the wings transform into petals of a flowers as the gentle breeze pushed them around. I wondered if the beautiful transformation was actually a lure to capture an unsuspecting fellow creature.
I resumed my mowing and baby bunnies hopped from beneath a nearby shrub. Little fluffy popcorn kernels with absolutely no sense of self preservation.
So, another dismount, to shepard the fools back to safety.
Safely mowing again, the barn swallows distracted me with their aerial displays. Hunters with unmatched flying skills. Banking left right and capturing anything unfortunate to fly from my mowing disruption. Swallows are nature's fly predators extraordinaire, no dangerous chemicals needed.
At the end of this mowing session, a tiny tree frog crawled up the back of a chair. The green color, wow. And finally, a doe stood like a sentinel near our rooster ambassadors and her elegance shamed the imposters.
It truly is a stop, smell, watch, and listen to the roses on a day like this. I wish more people could learn to reconnect, understand the fragile balance nature creates and admire the strength it has on display from the tiny, the elegant, the combative, the inspiring, nature of nature.
