Spring Awakening: Outside and Inside

I have been feeling such joy, happiness, and breathtaking-ness each time I pass by a patch of wildflowers while I'm driving. The blue and white lupines had been carpeting the hillsides and bare grassy patches along the side of the highway for about 3 weeks now.

Field of lupines at Toro Park, looking toward Fort Ord, Mariina Cailfornia

It just lightens my heart to feast my eyes on a vast expanse of wild California poppies or lupines. I delight in the discovery of a patch of vibrant yellow suncups growing along the trail, or yellowy-green new leaves dotted all over the oaks and sycamores.

Last week I became aware that I want to see lupine fields upclose....It was a thought that popped into my mind when I drove past a field on the highway. "go visit a patch of lupines... mayybe Fort Ord."

So I made it over to a spot in Fort Ord.

New discoveries

This spring I've been noticing some structures on the sycamore trees that I had not noticed before- at least not at this stage. Clusters of 3-4 balls like grapes, then stretching out like a garland. Most are firm and green-tan bumpy surface. But some of them are covered with red flower-like structures that make them look like spiky balls.

I have seen them in the fall with the big tan ping-ping ball sized seed balls. I've been paying closer attention to them the past several weeks. I look forward to seeing how they grow and transform from spring to summer.

When we take the time to notice, sketch, and nature journal something it opens up an awareness for that subject and you begin seeing it all around.

So, when I got home after this trip where I explored the sycamore balls, I was surprised to discover that MY sycamore tree by our front gate had them for the first time! The tree is perhaps 4-5 years old. They must have to be a certain age before they produce the flowers....hmm....

Listening to wildflowers

Back to the wildflowers..

.I've visited several local places to get closer looks at wildflowers.

I've been noticing the various shapes.

Often wildflowers are pretty small. We've have a pretty dry winter, and yet we have lush fields of poppies and lupines.

It makes me curious- I wonder if these fields are lush becuase they are native plants and adapted to the drier conditions.

At this location I was drawn to some plants --ones that have beneficial properties and have been used by local indigenous people.

As I walked I was taking mental note- "oh, I'll do a page on the edible and medicinal plants I encounter" and decided I’d be on the look-out for them.

A few minutes into my walk, I was mentally noting- mugwort, Willow, miners lettuce— then surprised to see a big Violet plant growing under an oak- with profuse blossoms. Even though I didn’t think it was edible or medicinal- . It wanted to be in my journal.

Although I didn't know at the time, I later learned that the Viola was indeed eaten by the local Ohlone people!

So as I pay attention more to the subtle nudges from nature, those gut feelings or hunches, or sudden sensation of knowing something, I experience more wonder and connection..

How about you?

• Has nature journaling changed the way you see the world?

• Has “drawing to see rather than for art” given you a better ability to notice more in nature?

• Have you noticed any flowers in spring?

• Was there a time you had an inkling to do soemthing, followed it and found a surprise??

• are you tuning into Nature’s language?

I’d love to know! Please share what you’ve noticed about yourself and nature!

Also- join me love for Spark journaling sessions or workshops - posted on the Event calendar page.