Not just ordinary: See what's special all around you

Hey there, 

I have a confession. I had this bad habit of taking things for granted. Not everything, but the stuff I see all the time.

An eastern gray squirrel. (Photo by Anthony Schalk)

For a while there, I had a really bad habit of putting the word “just” in front of some of the most common plants and animals I saw. Oh, that over there? That’s just a squirrel. And over here? That’s just a goose. The more I thought about it and the more attention I paid, there’s nothing “just” about any of it.  

When I stop and pay attention to each creature I see, I realize there is a whole world going on right before my eyes. I’m not seeing boring plants and animals, I’m seeing the bravest. The ones who will live their lives right in front of me. And that kind of living is so exciting! 

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Words to know

Confession: An admission of guilt or wrongdoing.

Withstand: To remain undamaged or unaffected by something.

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That squirrel in my yard, when I really look closely, she’s carefully gathering leaves. She’s making sure they are exactly the right texture and shape to fill her nest and make it comfy for the babies on the way.  

Look at the way her sharp claws hold onto that bark as she runs down the trunk headfirst. She’s ready to look for the next batch of leaves or for a midday snack of acorns hidden in my yard. It’s amazing that she knows exactly where to go to find them. 

And those geese flying overhead, well they are really something. When I listen carefully, I can hear all the different things they can say to each other with their unique calls. “Our flock is heading down to the pond!” “Our flock is heading to the field to get grain!” “I need a break and I’m heading to the back!” They are constantly communicating, just like us. 

Canada geese. (Photo via Shutterstock)

If I listen really, really carefully, I can even tell the males from the females by the pitch of their call. Like humans, the boys tend to have a slightly deeper call than the girls. That’s pretty tricky, though, so I stick to imagining them planning out their day. 

Even the plants around me are bold. The oaks can withstand the hustle and bustle of my neighborhood. The maples grow right up next to the road. Something is always growing, changing or surviving. 

Buds on an oak tree. (Photo via Shutterstock)

Life can get busy, so I need to remind myself to observe the ordinary. With warmer weather, I can look for which insects are brave enough to come out in the chilly spring air. I can take a peek at the trees in my backyard and see which ones have leaves and which ones are still tiny buds.  

I don’t have to hunt for the rare and unique to appreciate nature. I can pause and take notice of the nature on my neighborhood walk or in my yard. It is everywhere, and it is incredible! 

Best, 

Jess McQuown 

Program coordinator 

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center