Many children in this country have lost all understanding that they are part of nature and are connected to nature.We live so fearfully that children will be nabbed or will get hurt that we keep them inside and away from danger. But ultimately we are harming them far worse by robbing them of the experiences that can only be found outside in nature.
“To become stronger adults, kids need to be outside and allow their bodies to do what they’ve been designed for from the beginning. – Kacie Flegal, a chiropractor in Ashland, Ore., who specializes in pediatrics.
In college I studied Ornithology because I was obsessed with the film maker Peter Greenaway. His film A Walk Through H: The Reincarnation of an Ornithologist change my view of birds, film making and visual experiences.
Some of Greenaway’s other best-known films include:Â The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982), A Zed & Two Noughts (1985), The Belly of an Architect (1987), Drowning by Numbers (1988), and his most successful (and controversial) film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) also include references to Ornithology, birds and nature.
As a parent this has me thinking about sharing a love for birds with my children and if I want to get them outside to listen more I can start with the sound of various songbirds. Doing this can really can teach a child about the diversity of the natural world.
Once you spend time outside listing for birds why not get creative? Set up an outdoor creativity studio where you can build and make things! Go grab these Free plans to build a birdhouse for your own back yard from Ana White
While building your bird house listen to some classic music inspired by birds.
I love a music festival and it’s even better when it’s in my town so I don’t have to travel. This past weekend was the Summer Ends Music Festival at Tempe Beach Park. Two of the days got rained out and had to be moved inside the Marquee Theatre so I only have a few photos but the music was great, the company was the best and the inspiration was plentiful. I spent much of the weekend so inspired by the music that I drew and drew and drew in my little travel notebook.
Some of the drawings: