Toad in my garden
Living on Bear Mountain for six years has enlightened me six-fold about the world of nature. My mountainous woods and textured fields are packed with life in all forms that provide amazement beyond my expectations. I hope the next owner of this property respects Bear Mountain's natural world.
Pregnant Wolf spider in my garden
Two books have greatly influenced me while I have lived here. One is the book, The Insect World of J. Henri Fabre, who was a brilliant researcher of nature especially of insects and spiders.
Nectar frenzy
Henry Fabre, would have loved my place. His influence on me was to develop an interest in insect and spider behavior. I found that webs of spiders are like pieces of art, no two seemingly alike,which provides beauty to our environment as well as catching traps for spiders.
Bumble bee flying through wildflowers
Another of my favorite nature related books is The Earth Has A Soul edited by Meredith Sabini. It is filled with the thoughts of Carl G. Jung, a man that believes that observations lead to discoveries in natural life connections. He was a Swiss scientist working in many fields -- especially studied Eastern and Western philosophies. Let Jung speak to you directly from his book:
". . . there is so much that fills me: plants, animals, clouds, day and night . . . the more uncertain I have felt about myself, the more there has grown up in me a feeling of kinship with all things."
Orb garden spider waiting for its catch
Jung uses soul, psyche, and spirit as one and the same. He believes that technology has brought us further from our mythic past -- that we have lost its cosmological meaning. -- that technology does not always bring advances.
Blue tail dragonfly resting on my garden boardwalk
In the waning days of living here I thought I would post these nature shots from Bear Mountain. Hope you enjoy.
Praying Mantis -- terrorist to other insects.
