My intention when I began this blog was to create a place to share reflections, essays, prose, poems and photos of the creatures that I have met or may yet encounter in the forest here in the western mountains of Maine or elsewhere.
As an cognitive ethologist and psychologist (Jungian therapist) when I observe animal behavior in the wild I am always asking myself what the animal might be thinking. I pay particular attention to the relationship that develops between an animal and myself over time. I also question the role of projection on my part when I am pulled into an animal’s field of influence without understanding why. Most important I follow gut feelings and any nudges when observing any animal. I am a woman with Native American roots – is that why I make the assumption that every creature has something to teach me? I think of the natural world as being a place of deep learning and wonder.
It is my experience that intention and attention on the part of the observer opens a magic door, and once over the threshold inter-species communication becomes possible. I would like to invite others to cross that threshold with me.
As a feminist, ritual artist, and a writer I am Her advocate, that is, Nature’s advocate. I believe that when I write about the animals and plants I am giving voice to their truths as well as my own.
I developed an intimate relationship with the black bear in the above photo for a number of years while I was engaged in an independent, trust based study of his kinship group (15 years). Little Bee interacted with me on a regular basis but always preferred to “hide” behind a screen of leaves and saplings while doing so. Whenever I was around him I felt touched by “Bare Grace”.
Please feel free to comment. I would love to communicate with anyone who wants to share experiences they have had in Nature or simply make observations about what I have written.
If you would like more information about me, please read the essay on how I became a Naturalist…
Unfortunately, I am dyslexic with numbers and directions and have a difficult time with the computer in general and with WordPress in particular so I ask the reader to forgive me for the errors I will surely continue to make.
Sara Wright
12/29/16
I am spending the winter in Abiquiu New Mexico and am currently using my blog as a journal of my experiences in this mysteriously beautiful place. I ask that the reader bear with me as I continue this process… some entries will, of course, be about my relationship with animals, but others will not.
As it turns out I am presently a “snowbird” having returned to Abiquiu for the winter and spring of 2017 and 2018…
Update: August 2020…. I have returned to Maine having spent four years on a circular journey the highlights of which are recorded here…New Mexico is a magical place, but the North Country continues to call me home.
In the past years I have used my blog as a kind of jumping off place for publication elsewhere – which is why many entries have errors that I haven’t bothered to correct. There is something about putting my writing on a blog that allows me to see it from a distance, and from that place I craft pieces for publication elsewhere… I am still writing about animals and plants, and still enthralled by the powers of place – perhaps more so now than ever. Certainly more grateful. Without my primary relationship to the rest of Nature I would perhaps feel more isolated during this pandemic than I do.
With deep appreciation and gratitude especially to those who comment on what I write,
Sara
The blog is beautiful — whatever it took to get it in this shape I don’t like to think about (struggle, struggle …) but the result is a gift to everyone. Maybe it’s a gift to Little Bee too.
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I like to think that Little Bee and other creatures will see it as a gift…. as for getting this far – well only you know the true story!
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Dear Sara, how amazing that you and Bear have made a place in this universe where the two of you can look at each other without fear or suspicion. This is a rare gift! Thank you for sharing this with us and for reminding us how far an open heart can bring us into real communion with Mother Earth.
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I think that the Earth has created the space for us – S/he wants us to be communicating across species!
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Very nice blog, Sara. Congrats and beautiful to see your work here. Blessings!
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Oh How lovely that you visited! Please come again. Blessings to you all Sara
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Yes, I am here again. Hope the Spring treats you well. Blessings!
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I have been away with no access to computer so have fallen behind on comments… Have a piece of writing for you called “Mountain Mother” miss those essays and everything else about mago!
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Lovely, send it to us!
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PS Harriet deserves all the credit – She was the one who helped me do the impossible!
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Beautiful post !!
I loved the connect
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Thank you!
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The online journal is beautiful..Lovely, send it to us…Dear Sara, how astounding that you and Bear have made a spot in this universe where you two can take a gander at each other without trepidation or suspicion. This is an uncommon blessing!
http://www.yourgrandtour.com/enjoy-stay-tiger-den-resort-ranthambore/
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I am so grateful that you find this journal meaningingful… not sure what you mean about sending it to you – could you explain?
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sara, happy to meet this journal of naturalist..
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And I am happy that you are visiting this site. Welcome!
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good morning and have a good day..
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wow !! interacting with a bear !!! I love your blog !! I’m so glad I found it !
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Oh, I am so happy you like what you see!
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Beautiful blog ! … It’s the first day on this trip .. Thanks , Sara ! Blessings!
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Nice blog, really enjoyed it, appreciation from India!
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Oh thank you so much!
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I love your sincere and heartfelt style. Your ideas here remind of author Jack Turner’s essays from The Abstract Wild. In summary, there is no replacement for an authentic, mystical experience with wild. Modern culture attempts to capture it through Wilderness Areas, Wildlife refuges, and zoos, etc, but that immediate, sacred connection with the wild and the animals in it is irreplaceable and starkly absent from modern culture.
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Thank you for this heartfelt comment – as you say there is no replacement for an authentic mystical experience with our relatives in the wild – I write what I feel – blogs unlike editors let you write whatever you want and my blog is a place where freedom reigns! Of course I like publishing too for different reasons – so its a both and thing! Thank again.
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