“I am glad I will not be young in a future without wilderness.” –Aldo Leopold
Before I show pictures of my October trek in Blunn Creek, I wanted to share my picture of the city I took walking to the preserve.
It is incredible to believe that this scenery is so close to the city of Austin; there are many parks and trails like Blunn Creek that allow people to gain a better perspective of nature. It is astounding that we have created cities to live in, but we must also consider and take care of the environment we have been blessed with. Every time I leave Blunn Creek, I come out with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, which I recommend for anyone who is stressed and wants tranquility.
In October, I wanted to go back to the peaceful spot I had found last month and see how it changed with the progression of weather. In the first couple of visits, I discovered that the area was very similar to what it looked like in September. My surroundings were quiet and soothing. It reminded me of the breathtaking nature landscape that is just minutes away from school. However, because I had more time to gaze around and look for landscapes, I discovered more fascinating trees that make up my secret viewing spot. Examining the tree below, I wonder what type of erosion or outside factor contributed to giving this tree such a huge hole. On the positive side, this could become a new shelter for animals that are trying to hide from predators and lay eggs.
To show a clearer picture of what you are able to see from this angle, I took various pictures to ultimately find the right angle that showed the beauty that nature presents.
Here you can see the different shades of green, yellow, and orange and how they change depending on how the light strikes them. In addition, as I noticed the temperature significantly changing in the afternoon I noticed that the color of the leaves are not as green as before. This is a clear sign that shows the end of the fall as winter draws near.
By walking around the trail, I found another view that is dominated by this tall, skinny tree. Personally, this symbolizes the fight for survival. This tree is surrounded by hundreds of other trees, and to survive it must be able to have access to the nutrients in the soil. Moreover, this tree has to find a way to get its most essential nutrient, sunlight. The tree has risen above the neighboring trees to receive the most sunlight and thrive. It is important to be aware of the competitiveness and survival of the fittest that occurs in nature.
To conclude this month’s blog, I have decided to share another photo I took on my walk towards Blunn Creek on week 4.
This squirrel is a reminder that nature is still around us all the time despite all the man-made buildings we have created. St. Edward’s has done a remarkable job in providing students with a sense of nature but also having the necessary infrastructure to accommodate 5,000 undergrad students. Next time you wander by JBWS, look at the trees and you’ll be surprised by the number of birds, squirrels, and other creatures that are right beside us but are sometimes too oblivious to see.