Category Archives: Connecting to Nature

How I Feel About Nature

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Lawrence Wade

All photos  by Alex Munoz Alex Munoz is an accomplished photographer and this is his second posting at Old Naturalist.  His first post was titled Raw Beauty Unleashed and was published in Dec. 2017. Alex Munoz is from my home … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Photography/Art, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The Big Woods and the Fight to Save Lone Lake Park

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Lawrence Wade

Lone Lake Park is a forest remnant of what was known as the Big Woods. The Big Woods was over 2,000 square miles, extending in a band 40 miles wide from what is today Mankato to Monticello. In the 1800’s, … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Guardians | 5 Comments

The Bass Ponds – A Hidden Gem

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Lawrence Wade

The Bass Ponds are part of the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. It is an urban wildlife refuge in shadow of the Mall of America, a busy highway and the Minneapolis International Airport. Besides being a refuge for animals, the Bass … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Connecting to Nature, Spring | 6 Comments

North Country Pilgrimage

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Lawrence Wade

Three nights of winter camping in a yurt can change your perspective on life. Jim Gregory and his son David joined me for the adventure. Often working with only the light of his headlamp and a lantern, Jim was able … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Poetry, Photography/Art, Winter | 6 Comments

Galapagos: Islas Encantadas

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

Editor Note: View all videos on full screen. The Galapagos Islands truly are enchanted, often I felt like I was walking in a dream and wondering whether it was really real. Lawrence Wade I have never been in an area … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Notes | Leave a comment

Hawks on High

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

Every Fall, thousands of hawks migrate past Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, in Duluth, MN.   Hundreds of bird watchers come for the annual Fall migration.   Phil Fitzpatrick is a poet and is writing a book about Hawk Ridge. Phil said … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Fall, Nature Poetry, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Field of Dreams

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

Jim Cotton and Kim Puckett live on less than an acre of land along the foggy coast of Humboldt County, California. Below they share their story, by living their commitment to the Earth. My father passed on the values of … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Guardians | 1 Comment

Honoring the Earth Through Art

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

ArtStart director, Carol Sirrine and the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge sponsored 13 serious artist/naturalists. Their charge was to create art through the lens of nature using various mediums. The Minnesota River flooded trails in the refuge. A serendipitous hiking experience… … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Photography/Art | 6 Comments

Sights and Sounds of Spring 2018

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

Please Note: The Spring bird and frog recordings only works using Safari as your browser. The wonder of Spring is finally upon us. If you can learn a few Spring calls, it makes the experience even more glorious. Below are … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Connecting to Nature, Spring | 6 Comments

Land Untouched by Humans

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Lawrence Wade

Spending a few days up on the Gunflint trail, North of Grand Marais, MN changed my emotional outlook. We did not have all of the comforts of suburban life. We became more a part of nature rather than observers from … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Poetry, Winter | 2 Comments