finding magic in wings, wild places & my backyard
My writing captures both ecological importance of what I am doing and the emotional impact it has on me.
I am not just talking about native habitats, I’m learning about them as they teach me. My garden has become a living, seasonal symphony—an inspiring, real-life example of how others can do it too. This blog isn’t
a diatribe of facts and figures about how awful traditional manicured gardens are harmful. I am sharing a lived experience. That first surprise bird sighting after beginning to transform my yard with native plants was a transformation
in not only my outdoor space, but in my head space too. Nature has a grounding effect year-round, not just when things are blooming. Winter’s silence and dormancy are just as powerful. My hope is that by reading my stories you’ll
be inspired to take a few moments and listen to the birds sing or feel the warmth of the sun. Nature in all its seasons has a story to tell. You just have to want to listen….
Samantha Bean is an environmental science grad turned nature writer, bird sketcher and native plant enthusiast. She lives in Hopewell Valley, which is exactly half way between NYC and Philadelphia. Here, she and her family are restoring their yard into a thriving habitat—with meadows, a rain garden, and about a dozen nest boxes.
How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude.
— Emily Dickinson
Spring
Spring is about letting winter go and watching everything re-emerge. Birds migrate, plants reach for the sun and the lengthening of days is a welcome sign.
FALL
Fall goes with the light. Or shall I say, the long nights are a cue to prep for a long winter. The pace slows down, the birds lessen their song.
WINTER
Winter is a perfect time for quiet observations and long walks under cobalt skies. Time is best spent reflecting and planning. The garden is silent, temporarily.
SUMMER
Summer is a time of vibrancy of color and light. A season to not miss a moment outside as winged creatures are constantly in motion. The short nights lit up by fireflies.