The Dawn Chorus
Listening to and reflecting upon the beautiful dawn chorus of birdsongs.
Flagler Beach Sunrise
Across the road, down the sand-filled steps, and onto the beach. Faint, predawn light lifted above the ocean horizon. Shucking my sandals, I pushed my bare feet into the night cooled sand and walked down the beach until I found a promising spot halfway between the dunes and the shoreline. Setting up my camp chair, I sat down, pulled out my notebook, ready to begin an hour-long, sunrise sit spot. I tried to write down my initial impressions, but it…
Bear Island
The last pull of the ebbing tide carried my kayak seaward as I paddled through the salt marsh channel. My destination was Bear Island, a pristine, four-mile-long barrier island facing the North Atlantic Ocean in Hammocks Beach State Park near Swansboro, NC. For twelve autumns while on vacation I had followed this marked paddle trail out to Bear Island where I walked the wide sandy beach, gazed at the blue ocean, listened to the rolling surf, looked for seashells,…
Along the Shore of Lake Joseph
Facing a number of unknowns, I found myself searching for an encouraging sign. Having departed before sunrise, I was on my way to Forestburgh, NY to meet Benita for a shared sit spot. The first and most pressing unknown was finding her house and then arriving on time. So far, my trusty GPS was guiding me accurately and predicted an on-time arrival. The second unknown was finding a suitable location for our planned hour-long nature sit spot. Usually when trying…
The Nature Sit Spot: Essential Steps
Threshold I stepped across a scattering of large gray rocks, remnants of an old stone wall, a threshold to mark my departure from home and yard and my entry to an hour long sit spot. Once across the threshold I would slow my pace, shift my awareness into noticing, and proceed slowly to my destination. Crossing the threshold was the easy second step in conducting a sit spot. The first step, forming the intention was much more difficult. Why, I…
The Rebirth of Lower Woods Pond
It was full nighttime darkness when I began the drive. My headlights carved cones of light into the night and I had to blink in the glare of approaching headlights. Then, suddenly, surprisingly, as I crested a steep hill I spotted the first faint layer of daylight lifting above the eastern horizon. Glancing at the dashboard clock I was relieved to see that there was still more than 40 minutes until sunrise. I would have enough time to arrive at…
Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness
I am pleased and excited to offer information on my new book, Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness scheduled for release on October 1, 2024. Here is a description of the book from Christine Cote, publisher of Shanti Arts. ******** In 2014 John Harvey fulfilled his one-year commitment to sit in the forest once each week for one hour to observe nature. It turned out to be a richly rewarding experience. He learned to more fully see, hear, smell, and feel;…
The Sit Spot Interviews Part II: Ellington
On an early, misty, chilly September morning Ellington joined me for a shared sit spot at Browning Beaver Meadow. As a nature photographer and landscape painter she was practiced in seeing details and vistas. As an acupuncturist she understood the natural waves and energies of healing. As a long time practitioner of yoga and meditation she knew about mindfulness. And as an avid hiker she enjoyed the outdoors. And, most importantly she volunteered to join me All of these reasons…
Rachel Carson Reserve #3
I planned to go to a different spot. Perhaps out past Horse Island to the remote tip of Bird Shoal where I might gain a new perspective on nature in the Rachel Carson Reserve near Beaufort, NC. My two previous sit spots at the Reserve had been conducted from the observation deck on Carrot Island. Both had been beautiful, instructive, and remained vividly etched in my memory. I had learned much about the salt marshes and tidal flats. Now, I…
Podere di Santa Maria
Much felt familiar as I began my hour long sit spot on the terrace adjacent to the 17th century stone farmhouse, Podere di Santa Maria, the Farm of Saint Mary. To the east the familiar faint first light of day lifted above the forested hills of Tuscany. The air was filled with a typical pre-dawn freshness. I heard customary morning sounds—a rooster crowing, a dog barking, and around me the steady drone-chirp of crickets. I sensed differences as well—a faint…