The world of nature inspires wonder, scientific understanding and artful interpretation of our encounters with it. These elements combined to create another successful Upper Delaware BioBlitz on June 28-29 at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Boyds Mills, PA. Teams of scientists shared their finds of the lifeforms identified on the property with those in attendance, who also enjoyed walks, talks, workshops, musical entertainment and more.

The walk I led, “The Art of Awareness,” took place during a gentle drizzle, which didn’t stop participants from tuning in to the beautiful subtleties and softening sensory effects of the rainscape on which we focused our attention—taking photos and jotting notes or sketches in pocket-sized field journals. Instead, the rain took center stage during the exercise following our walk, as some of the attendees co-created the following poem inspired by our shared experience. 

I Remember
Splatter, patter, no matter…
We all felt the warmth of us and earth and
all things good!

Strolling along the stream’s edge
and the tangle of
the tree roots a shelter in the
mysterious in between.

The inspiration and excitement
to start over again—just like a new day.

The squish of the droop and swoop of the branch
Of the beautiful raspberry root.

One robin first, Thirteen flies second, The berries
and leaves stay clear of the pavement.
Sweet air full of clear rain, yet somehow the stream
stays the same, not faster, not stronger, no difference in shape
the slug wanders by, the river is awake.

The way the air sticks to your skin after the rain,
the good way when the rain falls
around you while you are standing under the safe
branches of the trees.

Co-composed by Kathleen Christie, Tamara D’Antoni, Lily Head, Tracey de Martini, Twila McDonnel, Nedelya Simeonova and Heather L. Montgomery.