Nature discovery is such a natural thing to do in the summer. I remember those days as a kid — summer stretched out before me. Endless days of warmth with nothing to do! Is there anything better? I spent every waking minute outside in those days. We didn’t have air conditioning, so there was no reason to stay inside. Cooling off meant a kiddie pool in the backyard or eating a popsicle under the big shade tree. 

Endless Nature Discovery in Your Backyard

Lest you think this is a post about ‘the good-old days’, we’re just here to borrow a few ideas from the past that still work today to help us discover nature all around us. I spent most of my summer barefoot. My grandkids are doing the same today. Barefoot means that you can feel the grass between your toes. Stand still for a moment, you may feel an ant crawl across your ankle. Sit down in the grass and watch the anthill.

Lots of discovery is possible just from going barefoot for a little while. Step it up a notch. Allow yourself an hour — put it in your schedule if necessary — to just ‘be’ outside. Sit on the ground. Use all 5 senses to connect with the nature within your little space. 

• What can you see? 
  • Is there only grass? 
  • Are there weeds, flowers, vegetables nearby? 
  • What about ‘critters’ — birds, insects, family pet?
  • Lay back and watch the clouds.
• Close your eyes. What do you hear? Train your ears to pick only one sound out of the chaos.
  • Birds calling?
    • How many different bird calls can you hear?
    • Are they ‘chillin’ or are there calls of alarm?
  • Dogs barking?
  • Insects buzzing?
• Can you smell anything?
  • Flowering plants?
  • Herbs?
  • Dog poo? (yes, that’s part of nature too!)
• What can you touch?
  • What does the grass underneath feel like? Spiky, soft, cool, damp?
  • Is there a breeze? 
  • Can you feel the sun beating down on your back?
• Is there anything edible? (Be super cautious here — never taste anything unless you are absolutely sure it’s edible and you know it hasn’t been sprayed with anything toxic)
  • Think ahead and bring a snack outside with you.

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Nature Discovery Through Journaling

There are so many ways to journal. Find something that works for you. I like to sketch. It helps me to notice things about plants and birds that I’m drawing, that I never would have noticed. You have to look very closely and for an extended amount of time to really sketch something.

Maybe you are more drawn to words; storytelling, or poetry perhaps. I was scrolling on Instagram the other day and discovered a woman who writes a haiku on every nature journal sketch. Brilliant! She’s doing her own thing. You do you. Whatever helps you connect to the nature around you!

Your Extended Backyard

While there is plenty to stay occupied in your literal backyard, there’s no need to be too stuck in one spot. Make time in your schedule to check out parks and public areas near your home. You’ll find even more ways to make those local nature connections.

The more time you spend in local nature, the more you’ll fall in love with her! That’s just the way it works. We invest ourselves and our time into something/someone, which makes us care more for them. We learn their personalities, their good points and bad, their quirks and their personalities. Our love grows deeper.

Nature Discovery: A Few More Tips

• No need to travel to exotic locations — there’s so much to discover right where you live. We see locally every day, but we don’t really ‘see’ it. It becomes nothing more than background noise.
  • Ie: I did not know until this past February that orchids are the largest plant group on Earth and grow in every climate! Huh, I had orchids in my backyard and didn’t realize it! On spring walks, I am looking with a different ‘eye’ due to this discovery.
  • This spring we’ve had more rain than we ever have. Result? More plants, more insects, more birds. I’ve seen a couple of birds I’ve never seen here before! 
• There are 4 seasons and 365 days to discover — you won’t get bored and you will never run out of things to explore!
• Try different times of day (and night). You might be surprised.
• Try the ‘string trick’ — you can only journal what’s in your designated circle. Start with a 5-foot string.
• Ask questions
• Do research
• Discover apps and websites that help
• Take art journaling classes
• Take drawing classes
• Try MeetUp or Facebook to find a group local to you — or start one!
• Do ‘themed’ walks in your area
  • Mushrooms
  • Spring flowers
  • Birding outings (there are birding groups EVERYwhere!)
  • Winter walks

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I know how difficult it can be to find the funds and/or the time to get out to ‘exotic’ locations. We aren’t all fortunate enough to be able to take those special trips. Please don’t let that stop you! Look with ‘new eyes’ at all the wonderful nature around you and fall in love with the world in your very own backyard.