Take a hike. I say that with the politest of meanings. I want you to go take a hike. Visit one of your nearby state or national parks and take some time to really discover what you enjoy about being in a natural habitat.
What truly delights your senses? Do you pause to listen the sounds around you, the chirping birds, the buzzing bees, the scurrying animals, the bubbling creek? Do you find yourself reaching out to feel the textures of leaves or the cracks in tree bark? Do you run your fingers through grasses along the path? Take a deep breath. Are you soothed by the smells of flowers and trees nearby? Are you mesmerized by the colors of the flowers and foliage around you?
Take another moment to do a little self-discovery. Which part of being out there in that natural world appeals to you the most? How would you go about recreating it at home?
Imagine being able to experience such delight on a daily basis. The most wonderful thing is that when you recreate your favorite part of a habitat, chances are you will be creating something that the wildlife will love, too.
When I first started gardening for wildlife, I focused on planting flowering plants for butterflies, caterpillars, and hummingbirds, as many people do. But as my garden has grown, I’ve come to realize that I respond tremendously to the sounds of nature. I’m not sure how best to express the feeling that comes over me when birds chirp to one another, but it’s something along the lines of pure tranquility — Zen, if you will. When toads call to each other at night, I’m soothed right to sleep, as if I were camping out under the stars. The sounds of nature soothe me and whisk away my stresses.
Our house is very near a highway in Austin. The waterfall of our backyard pond has become a key part of blocking out the sounds of the traffic nearby. When I’m outside, I hear the sounds of water flowing over rocks into a pond, and I don’t pay attention to the humans in their zooming cars 100 yards away. I hear a bird, and I look into the trees and give it all of my attention.
And now when I garden, I think about plants that will bring in many different kinds of birds. Berries, seeds, dense foliage, understory trees, plants that invite insects that in turn attract insectivorous birds — I want variety, because I want to create a habitat that will become an ideal home for many, many birds. And when I hear their songs, I often think back to how silent my yard was just a few years ago, other than the traffic nearby. Our yard was basically empty, devoid of anything but unattractive weeds and parched grass. We’ve brought nature home again.
Perhaps you instead respond to tactile sensations. I do, too, I admit. Wildlife gardens are wonderful in that they can appeal to all of a person’s senses. But you can choose plants that are an absolute pleasure to touch. Some leaves are almost velvet-like, and many grasses are almost feathery. But what about the rough leaves of the Sandpaper Tree, or the spiky bark of various trees? If you are a tactile person, your haven might consist of plants that are fun to touch along pathways.
So go take that hike now. Stop, look, listen, and feel, and see what you discover about nature – and yourself. And then personalize your beautiful wildlife garden, and make it a haven for you as well as for wildlife.
Meredith O’Reilly gardens for wildlife in Austin, Texas, and writes about her garden adventures at Great Stems.
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About Meredith O'Reilly
What a wonderful post! My pond is very soothing to me too, and also blocks out the sounds of the city streets around me. It’s also a great reminder to stop and take the time to engage all of our senses, to listen to the birds, to touch, to feel, and make our wildlife gardens a haven and respite for us as well as the wildlife who live there.
Carole recently posted..The Monarch Monitoring Project
Very well said! I love the variety of birds in my garden, and although I can’t bring home the beauty (and sound of the loons) of my favorite wild place (Voyageurs National Park), I can close my eyes, hear the birds, and picture myself there.
Excellent thought-provoking post! You’ve created a wonderful visual not only with your photos but with your words! Well done!
Loret T. Setters recently posted..Ceraunus Blue FINALLY return
“I often think back to how silent my yard was a few years ago”.. I love listening to the owls at night, the cicadas, and the Hummers first thing in the morning as I have my coffee. Nicely put together post, reminding us to engage our senses and personalize our native wildlife gardens.
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..Pitter Patter
Our neighbours go for the silent, parched grass and NO WEEDS option! What about the snakes??? Then they come into our garden and are utterly enchanted by all the birds.
Elephant’s Eye recently posted..Baby forest and earthworms at Org de Rac wine estate
Love the pond and the grasses. I like the ssh-ssh sound of grasses in the breeze. And I, too, provide the local snake refuge. We welcome all but the most toxic of snakes here. I’ll admit they startle me every once in a while!
Elizabeth Barrow recently posted..Bloom Day Is Tomorrow
East Central Illinois was a land of tallgrass prairie and oak woods; my research shows that I live JUST inside the border (about 200 feet) of what was a large Oak Grove, so most of my yard is restored to open woodland with prairie in scattered openings (it was all lawn when we moved here:). I have about 150 species of wildflowers (had about 10 species of native wild Asters blooming in the last month).
It’s my green “fortress of solitude”
All this talk of grasses and wildflowers (and snakes!) makes me long for the new pocket prairie I’m hoping to put in. I best do it soon, since this is the ideal time to sprinkle seeds. Bob, I’m just amazed at your number of wildflower species!
This is a perfect post for those wanting to take a look at what they can add to their beautiful wildlife garden or someone just starting out.
Well done.
Beautiful Garden
I love how the pond looks with the little fish. It must be amazing to be able to enjoy the sounds of nature. I hardly can hear any from my little balcony
~fer recently posted..My little garden in japan october 2010