The making of another nature nut!

[agrumpycow]

I spent an afternoon with my sister yesterday. She's had a bit of a tough time of late and wanted to 'get out in the fresh air for a bit'. This is totally unnatural for her - she's a townie through & through!
Anyhow, I packed her & my dogs into the car and drove to the local bluebell woods. When we first got there she went marching off as if she was walking to work, eyes down, hands in pockets. Within a couple of hours, however, she was beginning to see things around her; she stopped to seek out the bird that she could hear singing, stood and just looked at a tree and marvelled at how it grew and at the end of the walk crossed half a field just to look at a single cowslip! Today she's been texting me to get ids on birds she's seen.
It was fascinating watching someone 'get the bug' and see the important things around her for the first time

[ron1863]

Nice one Claire and you have enriched your sister's life.

[Deer Stalker]

Great to hear Claire.

[Cazzie]

It's always baffled me as to why others in my company cannot see what I can when out for a walk!

Great to hear that you've made a convert of your sis Claire Newbie on WAB soon eh?!?

[Hedge Witch]

I'm just really thankful that I can appreciate wildlife. Even the less glamorous subjects. It's been such a source of strength for me.

I wish your sister well in her new hobby

[John]

If only everyone could convert at least one person, as Claire seems to have done, we might be able to get a large part of the nation switched onto what's around us. The British countryside might start benefiting from that.

It never ceases to amaze me that not one person where I work has the slightest bit of interest what goes on in not only the Countryside but their own back yards. There are at least three people that are actually frightened of birds , even more freaked out by Moths and others not a clue what I talk about every when I explain what I have done over weekends or holidays.

It's a lonely existence because I can't talk women things (virtually all staff are female) and I have nothing in common with any of them. I try but it always falls on deaf ears.

John

[treecreeper]

I very heartening story, Claire. You should encourage her to buy some books. For plants, I would recommend Roger Phillips' Wild Flowers of Britain (£12.99 from Amazon). This has wild flowers in order of flowering time so at this time of year it would be easy for a beginner to identify finds.

TC

[hobble]

Good news for your sister and well done. It could be the beginning of a whole new life for her.
I am looked upon as a bit odd as I enthuse about nesting birds, and all general wildlife by a lot of my friends who are mainly interested in fashion, hair, and magazines.
I really enjoy having my daughters little friends for an afternoon and watching their fascination with everything I show them.
These days they seem to know more TV characters than flowers and birds.

[nightshade]

The other people I worked with now know more about bats than they ever thought they would!