If there’s anything that can bring home the idea that the natural world has more levels of complexity to it than we pay attention to (or know much about), it’s what you hear in a field by a marsh in Maine in late summer.
This is what it sounds like mid-morning.
*turn up the volume*
Where are the creatures making all of that noise? Who are they? What are they communicating, and to whom?
It’s equally loud at night. But different.
The cacaphony made by these insects makes the world seem very full. But they’re only a small section of the orchestra of life. What about all of the insects what we don’t hear? The quiet ones. Some you see, like fireflies, but most you don’t. Then think about the billions of microorganisms that we don’t see or hear. Every nook and cranny of this world is teeming with life, like those Russian nesting dolls, there are layers in layers in layers.
The more I know, the more astounding this planet is to me. I like to read books to learn about small pieces of it, and I especially appreciate authors who delve into animal cognition, like this title: What The Robin Knows. What should I read next? What’s opened your mind to our wonderful, multilayered, complex, world? I’ll be compiling a list and putting it up on my website. Suggestions, please!
Try: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.
I read that in 9th grade. It was an English class assignment. Up until then I’d only read fiction. It was life-changing that a non-fiction book could hold me so enthralled. Time to read it again. Thanks for reminding me of that title.
Bernd Heinrich’s Mind of the Raven was a great read, often conversational more than focused solely on the birds. There have been several books on corvids since that have covered the cognitive side of these birds a bit more. I grew up with crows and blue jays around me, and here in the desert SW have abundant crows and ravens to watch, so always find them fascinating (and the success and range of the ravens here is remarkable because they are labelled as cooler-weather birds).
I’ve read that one 🙂 I checked on-line, and he has a book about a year in the Maine woods. I’ll get that one!
I’ve loved the book ‘Horse Speak’ by Sharon Wilsie and equally, her other book ‘Horses in Translation’. They have given me an insight into equine body language that added to my own knowledge of living with horses for over 50 years.
I’ve read excerpts, and her writing seemed kind and thoughtful. I’ll need to read more!
Ah, you need to go to Patricia’s blog, which I just read and it filled up my “what to read” list!
https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/the-books-on-my-bookshelf
I follow her blog, too. Yesterday I finished reading her book, The Education of Will. Here’s a wonderful, in-depth interview with her: https://www.animaltrainingacademy.com/podcast/training-tidbits/patricia-mcconnell/
Read Bumblebee Economics by Berndt Heimrich.
Delightful. The first one I happened to read of his many books; and I cherish it.
Karen Pryor
I’ve read one of his raven books. Didn’t know about this one. Thanks!
For starters:
Thor Hansen: “Buzz” (and any of his other books)
David Haskell: “The Forest Unseen”
Joe Hutto: “Illumination In The Flatwoods”
Robin Kimmerer: “Gathering Moss”
Ditto “Sand County Almanac” and any books by Bernd Heinrich
What a lovely place you have moved to! Enjoy all the discovering!
I hadn’t heard of a few of these. Thank you!