Observing nature during the summer helped me become a better observer. I never really took the time to be in nature or to really look into it with such depth. Since being in France I can tell that I have been more aware of the species around me more so than ever. Maybe it’s because I am in a different country and noticing the differences is easy to do or maybe its because being in nature has helped me really look for new things in the environment around me. While being in Angers, I have noticed quite a few similarities as well as differences compared to Texas.
In a funny way, I feel very at home in this unknown city of Angers. It reminds me of home. France is actually quite similar to Texas in my opinion. While there are a lot of differences, the feeling is familiar. There are large open spaces of fields and farmlands when you road trip through via car or even train. The people are prideful just like us Texans and the size of France is close to that of the state of Texas. While there are noticeable differences, there are still similar species that wander here in France.
Huge slug I found this morning after a big thunderstorm. Scientific name: Arion Rufus. A red and brown slug.
Leonardo di Vinci had ducks and chickens!
Passion Flowers! I was so happy to see these in my host families garden. I have some at my house and to recognize something like this was so cool. Scientific name: Passiflora.
Leonardo di Vinci’s garden. Each different species of plants had signs telling the names. Thought it was worth sharing.
Jardin du Mail. Snail attached to a sign in the garden. Nature interacting with the force of human placed objects.
Jardin du Mail. Insect on the leaves.. possibly the culprit of the holes you can see in the leaves.
Huge, fuzzy bumble bee outside my bedroom window.
Purple daisies. Similar to home, different coloring.
Growth on the side of concrete walls. Algae?
Waterfall in di Vinci’s garden.
I’m not sure if I haven’t paid any attention at home or what but I have noticed there is a larger amount of bugs and insects here than what I have come in contact with at home. Because the French are so close to nature, as in they seem to not have as much distance between them and the outside vegetation, species of flies, insects and other little unknown bugs are inside and out. They leave their windows open the majority of the time and because their food is so fresh, sometimes even picked from their own personal gardens, bugs are very present. I find this somewhat gross, but they seem to think nothing of it. Back home, people seem to put as much distance between them and bugs or dirt or anything that “doesn’t belong” inside. It’s very interesting to watch the differences in how people react to the outside world coming in. Below is a quote that represents this.
“For many of us the meaning of the world depends on clear boundaries, pure categories, and the separation of nature out there from us, and our work, in here (Bess 161).” – Richard White (1995)
Backyard garden where I observe nature.
A big thing I have been closely observing is the phone usage here versus back home. Because I don’t have constant access to my phone due to lack of a phone plan and spotty public wifi, I have more time to observe the locals who do. On public transportation here, everyone seems to listen to their music through headphones. While walking down the streets you’ll notice quite a few people using their devices but not near as much as you would see people in the states using theirs. And yes, you guessed it, it is mostly young people who are using their phones. Another thing I have noticed about myself is that I do not feel the constant need to hold my phone and look at it every two seconds. This was becoming a really bad habit of mine back in the states. Now, instead of looking down to virtually observe people, I can look up and do it in person. Without them even knowing… because they’re looking down at their phones…
Something I plan to observe in the near future is phone usage in public parks and nature.
There is quite a bit of evidence that technology usage in nature is increasing. Due to the abundance of new technologies like phones, cameras, GoPros and more, nature photography has hit an all time high. Being adventurous has become the new fad, a fad that may actually be more than just a fad. Everyone who has social media knows that capturing your adventures in nature and posting them is the new cool thing to do. But could it be more than that? Maybe this is the new way to get involved with nature. To explore the beauty and things it has to offer. Maybe, the cool fad that is posting adventurous photos will actually bring more attention to the needs of the environment around us.
I feel like now more than ever before I am personally being exposed to environmental issues. Even if it’s not an issue that is being discussed, I am being exposed to photos, tweets and statuses about the environment. Whether it is to bring awareness or just to share the pure beauty of a place, I am being exposed. And by being constantly exposed, your mind has no option but to venture off and start thinking environmentally.
Nowadays, with the instant technology we have, it is so easy to share things with complete strangers who live across the world. We can invite them to see the world and the environment that we see. Here are some photos that I found on my Instagram feed in one single day, in 5 min of scrolling and searching.
Even though these may not be photos advocating for environmental action, they are photos of the environment. These photos inspire others to get out and enjoy the world. The simple act of posting and seeing these types of photos is currently bringing much more attention to nature. And it will only continue to do so. I for one, have never been a huge nature person, but now I find myself exploring new things and learning about the environment daily. Whether it be in person or via social media.
“You live in a civilization that increasingly conspires, in large and small ways, to reconnect you with nature….A quality of connectedness, of embeddedness in the biosphere, that your culture has gradually begun to incoporate. This is the direction in which the light-green society is taking us (Bess 276).”
SOURCES:
Bardon, Andy. Instagram, 6 October 2015. Photograph. 6 October 2015
Bess, Michael. The Light-Green Society: Ecology and Technological Modernity in France, 1960-2000. City of Publication: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Book.
Burke, Travis. Instagram, 6 October 2015. Photograph. 6 October 2015
“INaturalist.org.” INaturalist.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
Kerby, Jeff. Instagram, 7 October 2015. Photograph. 7 October 2015
Morris, Jack. Instagram, 6 October 2015. Photograph. 6 October 2015.
“Passion Flower.” /RHS Gardening. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
Strohl, Alex. Instagram, 6 October 2015. Photograph. 6 October 2015