Many people can trace many of their life patterns to the influence of their parents. Now that Mother's Day is past and Father's Day is on its way I have been reflecting on the tremendous influence my parents have had on my "lifestyle." As a naturalist in the largest park in the city of Seattle, spending my days off enjoying nature, it is obvious my parents were positive role models when it came to the out-of-doors.
My parents' life together began on a honeymoon living in Bryce Canyon, where my father worked as a ranger and Mum collected insects for the budding natural history museum. Dad's career took a variety of twists and turns but by the time I was "hatched" my family was living in the heart of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Family vacations were spent camping and hiking through a variety of wilderness areas. Our homes always had a bird feeder to attract feathered friends near enough for young eyes to see and appreciate their beauty. My mother never discouraged any of the wildlife that found its way into our childhood homes: snakes, mice, frogs and salamanders, to name a few. She even allowed us kids to keep a pet raccoon in the rabbit hutch until this "pet" figured out how to open the door, finding its freedom.
From my parents, my brothers and I learned to love the out of doors, enjoy wildlife and develop a true respect for nature. My brothers' careers took them off the naturalist path, but they still very much enjoy the out-of-doors and now are sharing family camping trips with their children.
Recently I was leading a bird walk for 4-year-olds - yes, that is correct: 4-year-olds. Together we learned to use binoculars, listen for different bird songs and how to stand quietly while birds fed nearby. An hour later we had seen a total of 28 species, a remarkable achievement for ones so young.
It was obvious from the short amount of time we spent together that the parents and adults in the lives of these children had been sharing their love of nature. The children quickly were learning a respect for living creatures and in turn each other.
During the bird tour, one child was gently picking up caterpillars, letting them crawl from hand to hand. Her touch was soft and the caterpillars were no worse for wear when she tucked them back into a bush.
Another small child was delighted to share her new-found knowledge that boy hummingbirds were the bright ones. And she easily explained how to spot the difference between male and female robins, a feat most adults would be hard pressed to duplicate.
What an incredibly valuable gift to give to the next generation - spending time outside with your children, nieces, nephews or young friends. The time will be reflected in years to come when they make decisions about their own life patterns. Rachel Carson understood this concept when she wrote: "If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder... he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
Consider taking a child for a walk in your local park this spring. Share a moment listening to the warble of a migrant, watch a robin (boy or girl?) pull a worm from the ground and thrill to the flight of swallows over head. Get outside - take a child birding.
Birder Penny Rose can be reached at penny.rose@seattle.gov.
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