IT’S EARTH DAY’S 50th ANNIVERSARY TODAY
DO SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE!
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson
This year, with the pandemic making life scary and crazy, we need Nature more than ever. We need its beauty, variety, and solace. We also need to take time to value its many lessons: patience, strength, hope, wonder, and spiritual connections.
Now more than ever, as we are asked to stay home and stay safe, it is important to find ways to keep Nature a part of our day to day lives. Play in your yard, walk in a garden or along a trail, feed the birds, play with pets, share flowers, plant vegetables. You can even watch shows about Nature or work to help improve the protections for the Nature that is all around us, but that is too often overlooked.
One of the ways I am celebrating is by sharing some of my favorite Nature Photographs as I wait until I can take another Nature Trip. I would love to head back to any of these wonderful places.
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’” Sylvia Plath
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu
Views of Fall Color near Bishop, CA
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” John Muir
Views of Yosemite National Park
“Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Views near Carrizo Plain National Park, CA
“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Henry David Thoreau
Carmel Valley, CA
Drive through Redwoods, CA
“I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?” Vincent Van Gogh
Grand Tetons, WY
“My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.” Claude Monet
Views near Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA
“Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Anderson
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright
Mono Lake, CA
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Mt. Whitney, CA
Mt. Shasta, CA
Crater Lake National Park, OR
California State Poppy Preserve
Views of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
“We see God face to face every hour and know the savor of Nature.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Learn More Every Day 
Comments on: "CELEBRATE NATURE: Earth Day 2020" (12)
Beautiful collection honoring the day. Happy Earth Day, Patti. Stay safe.
Hey, Frank! It is nice to hear from you! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos–they are some of my favorites at favorite places! I hope you and your wife and staying safe as well. Take care.
Thanks … Well are well and still not bonkers!
Hallelujah!
The photos and quotes are beautiful. A great way to honor Earth Day. Hope you are well. 🙂
Janet: I am doing fine, other than wishing I were out in Nature more. I understand why Yosemite closed, but sad–I need to check if it has opened yet, but I doubt it. I trust you and your family are all staying safe at home as well. Take care.
Hi Patti, I heard that Yosemite won’t open until June and then limited, maybe Valley only. But…that’s not official, it’s just what I heard.
WOW. Thanks. I have not heard anything–I think all national parks are closed. Sad situation. Take care. Stay safe!
absolutely stunning photos. What great memories you must have.
Thanks. These are some of my favorite places–and photos. The memories are great. I just wish I had been able to get out this spring to look for wildflowers. Keep enjoying your walks and the photos you share. I live vicariously!
My kids and I get plenty of movement inside our home, so I’d thought we were fine when I missed many consecutive days of walking last week. As the week went on, I felt more and more depleted … until I had the sense to try a walk and felt an unburdening. It seems so funny that I could forget walks aren’t just about the movement, but about everything it’s possible to experience while taking them. So while I won’t likely see anything quite as magical in my neighborhood as in these pictures, I will savor every bit, and try to make certain I get outside for a few minutes almost every day. 🙂
Yes, movement is always good, but actually being out in Nature is always the best. It is easy to let being homebound sneak up on you, easy to forget how great getting out can be. Glad to hear you and family are staying safe and sane.