Perhaps you remember a Burl Ives song “Little White Duck” My memory thought it was titled Little Green Frog: apparently frog was just a supporting actor.
“There’s a little green frog swimming in the water A little green frog, doing what he oughter. He jumped right off of the lily pad that the little duck bit, and he said, “I’m glad I’m a little green frog swimming in the water Glub, glub, glub”.
Both the Frog and the Duck were doing what they “oughter” do.
The Little Black Bear is just grazing in the grass -a healthy choice. Just what he ought to be doing.
And the Painted turtles – basking on logs, soaking up sun. Relaxing. Wouldn’t we all benefit from more of that. Minnekhadians value exercise, eating well, relaxing. They do what they oughta do.
Herons and Sandhill Cranes exhibit patience, are very observant, skilled fishers, lead a simple lifestyle.
They can also be fiercely protective …and loyal to one mate! Not insignificant: Sandhill Cranes and Great Blue Herons have been around for millions of years… they must be doing something right!
Lifestyle recommendations. Spend more time forest bathing, bird watching, seeking out connections with wildlife. All o er physical and mental health benefits. Encountering birds can boost mental health for hours, and along with forest bathing will reduce depression. It’s the most cost effective form of therapy available.
A state of mindfulness can be achieved by watching migrating birds and observing the arrival of berries and blossoms which coincides with mating and reproduction.
Painted Turtles don’t bask in the sun all the time!
In the middle of the Marsh , unprotected from predators or the element the partner of the Sandhill Crane we met earlier is sitting on a nest.
Very shortly a newborn Crane will begin to explore its surroundings…
…while Dad continues to demonstrate protective behaviour.
Supporting the claims of benefit to mental health I want to recommend two books The Art Cure, by Daisy Fancourt and The Brain at Rest by Joseph Jebelli. They both are compelling reasons to spend as much time as possible in Minnekhada Park or similar environments. Both are available as audiobooks so you could listen as you hike, though that might compromise some of the benefits of the hike.
I want to return to the story of the Little White Duck, and the Little Green Frog, because there is more to the story. A little black bug came along, and a little red snake, The Frog probably ate the bug, but then the snake scared away the frog and the duck, leaving only a slightly damaged lily pad. Is the snake symbolic of the encroaching development that poses risk to the regional park. We ought to be like the Sandhill Crane: protective. When I took the photo of the little green frog I was so focused on the frog I didn’t see the incoming threat, just heard the splash. You can see the ripples but the little green frog survived. Doing what he oughta, but with his eyes open!