Nature Journaling: Red Brook

Nature Journaling: Red Brook

This morning I spent a couple hours observing the plants, birds and insects along the banks of Red Brook in the Lyman Reserve in Plymouth. Normally, when I see something interesting I take a picture or two and continue on my walk, but today I took the extra time to sit and journal my observations.

I spent most of my time with two plants in particular: Monkey flower (Mimulus ringens) and common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis).

The first, monkey flower, which is so named because the wavy flower petals somewhat resemble a monkey’s face, caught my attention because I’d never noticed this plant anywhere before. Painting this flower had me sitting in the bushes at the edge of an off-line pond, where an American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) kept me company.  It would occasionally swim to a new location but for the most part it remained motionless mostly beneath the surface with just the top of his head exposed, keeping an eye on me.

The second, the common blackberry, always catches my attention this time of year. It’s hard to pass up the delicious ripe berries. After painting a quick impression of the blackberry plant, I set to work filling a container with the fruits to take home with me (the plan is to make a small batch of jam). As I was carefully disentangling myself from the plant’s thorns, I noticed a praying mantis nymph crouched on the leaves. You can tell it’s a nymph because the wings are not fully developed yet.

Finally, before heading out, I stopped to sit along the edge of the river at a fairly open area. I was treated to a parade of interesting bird activity: three American goldfinches (Spinus tristis), 2 males and 1 female, bathing in the shallow water; a house sparrow (Passer domesticus) alternately hopping about and then nestled down to rest on an exposed log; and a pair of ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) chasing each other wildly in circles, very nearly flying into me.

I’m always amazed at what I notice and at what happens around me when I take the extra time to simply sit and observe.

6 thoughts on “Nature Journaling: Red Brook”

  1. I love the paintings. These observations are important additions to what we are learning.

    1. Thanks Warren. I’m glad you enjoyed the art and the observations. I don’t do this nearly enough, but it’s always satisfying when I do.

  2. Beautiful! I loved reading this and seeing your drawings. We all need to slow down and really look at nature. Thanks for the inspiration.

    1. They are watercolors. It’s not a medium I have much familiarity with, but I recently purchased myself a waterbrush (the water’s contained in the handle, so it makes watercolors on the go an easier option) and I wanted to give it a try.

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