SCENES FROM A WALK in the woods with Road Scholars on our Bluff Country expedition. Here at one of my favorite woodland trails along Trout Run Creek in Whitewater State Park. Jacob’s Ladder, Wild Geraniums, Trillium Grandiflorum, Buttercups, White, Yellow and Purple Violets, Wood Anemone, and Wildwood Phlox all brightened the trail sides. Meanwhile we added to our two-day count of 80 plus bird species with dandies like the Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Prothonotary Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Green Heron, Trumpeter Swan, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Common Gallinule, Sandhill Crane, Peregrine Falcon, and dozens more. A great group of enthusiastic folks, and a beautiful day.

One of the most important reasons for paying attention to, learning about, and admiring little trailside wildflowers and small, hidden birds is to discover the landscapes in which they are found. And to say—by simply looking, listening, and caring—that THIS is important—this bird, this blossom, this trail, this coldwater stream. Otherwise, instead of living in a world of interesting and wonderful beings, we simply live in a world of stuff. And none of it matters. Including us. I refuse to live there. And I love sharing the real world.