1 -It was lovely! I was shocked to see how quickly the light changes though. As a result, representing the light was challenging. I feel like I "zoned out" for a while because I spent an hour instead of 20 minutes, but honestly thought it has only been 15 or 20 minutes. 2-Listening to the sounds around me felt natural, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much time I could observe just by smelling the air. Sounds crazy when I write this but in the moment, it made so much sense.

Observing nature is something I'm familiar with, but I hadn't sat down and written down observations in a while. I tried one a couple of days ago, but it was already the afternoon and I could hear a lot of landscaping work going on nearby. It was simply too loud for me to concentrate, even though I did see some things. The next day, I went out twice. The first time was pretty early in the morning and I observed quite a lot of things going on around me, trying to use all my senses. Later, I went out with my dad after breakfast to a local spot we visit sometimes. I didn't think about doing a sit spot exercise because I had already done one that day. However, as we sat watching the river, I found myself noticing a lot of other things. There were squirrels behind us and birds occasionally calling that we couldn't see. I started to record things and I found that it came naturally to me. I have always been sensitive to sound, so those kinds of observations come more easily to me. And when there is sound, I usually can see the source. I think I've always been a "use all my senses" kind of person, so I wouldn't say that any of them are things I don't notice as much. However, I think I've never put thought into actively noticing a smell unless it's a strong smell. In this exercise, I learned that it's important to take note of the subtle smells, too. The season is changing from summer to autumn, and I can certainly tell just by smell. One last thing to note is that sometimes there are so many things going on that it's hard to write them all down. Or I'll be observing something, but be torn between observing and recording. I think being in the moment is more important though, and I can record a little something of it later so I can remember.

This sitting still is a normal activity for me, but focusing on all the senses was a good way to be more aware.

I like the long list of the experience of being in nature verse, the labeling of specimens. This may have to do with not liking the look of when add too much writing I feel like it jumbles the composition.

1. I sat in our crabapple tree in our yard, which has pretty good wildlife, that ranges from rabbits to deer. I liked sitting there, and it was helpful that plants and trees don’t just fly away, like birds, so I could pay attention to bark, the branches etc. 2. The form of the tree was a bit exotic, and fun to capture, but nothing about drawing it was too odd.

Enjoyed this exercise, with quiet time I began to notice so many things going on I had to choose just a few to concentrate on. Thanks for the walking suggestion.

Pleasant early morning scanning my pumpkin patch. Many healthy plants and a few who have succumbed to the backyard bullies. I spied a likely culprit and he stared back defiantly as drew his likeness. Grandpa Ott greets the day like a royal trumpeter in fine purple robes—my morning glory is a wonder! I never fail to step on my favorite nemesis, the sweet gum ball. Pain and pleasure, beauty and bugs...my sit spot.

1. My first sit spot experience too. Sitting on the steps of our large deck overlooking our garden, while my 2 year old daughter painted at her easel nearby. This exercise showed me that it doesn't take much time to have mindful moment in nature. I worked through each of my sense to focus on what I was experiencing, so I could better record it. Overall, a special moment. 2. The differences in colours and textures came quickly, sounds and feelings took a little longer.

This was my first sit-spot experience. I was a bit disappointed at first because I’m residing in an urban area with not many safe choices. But I picked a small, safe space on the edge of a community living spot. The trees are mainly over a fence and not close enough to examine well. There are no observable animals and lots of nearby human activity, so I just brought seeds for animals and left them at the edge of the woods... it’s too early to know if they will soon come out. But I sat last night - after rains - and just drew trees (pines, crape myrtle) and landscaping and noted whatever came into my mind. (Quotations at times surface,) When I returned inside, I added color to my drawings. I also had to figure out what the blooming trees were. Even tho the sit spot went totally differently than I’d hoped, I still learned a great deal and turned it into a collage(s) which I can share with friends. That’s where the human/nature connections happen! Thx for your guidance. 

It was nice to get out after a day of rain, but I was only able to go into my garden. It was neat hearing and seeing  everything coming alive after being quiet for the rain. I did notice it was hard at times for me to ignore “human sounds” like traffic. This sitting reminded me of when my mom and I went out birding when I was a kid. I have always loved the solitude and connectedness I feel in nature.

Comparing to  other sit spot experiences, this one was different in terms of being more aware of surroundings and documenting my observations. I noticed how the color of leaves changes according to sunlight. This is the image from my journal in which I recorded my observations of surrounding setting.    

For this exercise I chose to do a walk instead of a sit spot. Mosquitoes are preventing my stopping in one place for too long. I did choose one particular area as my focus. It was easier for me to notice details in birds than with plants. I am anxious to observe a different area than one I am familiar with. I could see that one page may not be enough for some spots. I already have other sit spots in mind.

I sat just the one time. I hear very well, so i was listening since I wasn't seeing much that caught my eye to draw except the tiny things like the ant carrying the piece of leaf.

I first sat close to a palm tree, I didn't think I could draw anything from a moving subject, so I chose a plant. The following day I found a black skimmer nesting site, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to draw the fast moving birds, fortunately there dozens of birds and there several of them in the same pose, that helped me a lot. I stayed there for more than two hours and finally they didn't pay much attention to me, and started moving closer, which helped me a lot.

My sit spot was in Heidelberg's (DE) old graveyard. This massive Friedhof hugs the side of a hill and is shaded by towering trees of all kinds. I found a relatively quiet spot along one of the less travelled paths with views into the canopy from side on and below. The canopy and undergrowth was humming with life! It was amazing! I noticed so many new species of birds that I've never spotted in Europe before (probably because I had not taken the time to wait for them to emerge). And they were quite curious about me too funnily enough.

I first went to the beach where I fond some vegetation, I enjoyed sitting down to listen and to observe nature. I chose a palm tree because it was easer to start with, it doesn't move that much, but then I found this nesting place where the black skimmers where taking care of their babies and it was an incredible experience to try to chase with my pencil all that movement. It was hard, it was my first time trying to do this, but after a couple of hours I felt I was able to capture some good poses.

I was greeted by 4 faery wrens. My spot was a fallen tree overlooking the bay. Lots of bird song and a strong wind blowing which I could not capture. A dark blue line where the sea disappeared into mist. Sun started filtering through the leaves and everything changed.

I loved this exercise. I usually spend time outside, enjoying, but it is not easy for me to draw. I can hear birds, thouh I do not always see them. I like the big trees and the colours of little plants above them.

Plants, trees & shrubs come more easily for me. Birds, animals and insects are difficult to get a visual on because of their constant movement such as butterflies and dragonflies. I noticed the sun changes the appearance of things. When it goes behind a cloud everything looks different. Birds and insects are more active in the morning and later in the afternoon.

I really enjoyed sitting behind my neighbour's garden watching the butterflies in its summer lilac. It was so impressive that the butterflies weren't scared of me and after a while they even landed at my arms and head. Most of them were peacock butterflies and just 2 others. I wish my English would be better to express my observations better but I am using this course to practice it

I didn’t get far because I am self quarantining after an extended trip in our RV and we want to make sure we weren’t exposed to the Covid19 virus before heading out among the public again. Also, it is very hot here. Forecast says possibly 109° high today.

I went to a canyon park in the foothills near my home in southern California. I see lots of birds there and usually hike, but today I found a sit spot. Today we had a typical June Gloom all day so far. The wind kicked in and blew the gloom away, sunshine, breezy and cool. I hear people sounds, cars in the park, doves cooing, and lots of birds sounds. I noticed I could hear each gust of wind as it moved toward me, the trees would shake and then it was gone, it warmed and the birds started chattering . After several waves of wind, it became a wave of birds. They came to me. I started taking photos. I get a little over simulated with all the choices. I am a quick spotter, but have a challenge knowing the species. I always have to research to make sure of which type sp. I am just beginning to know the small birds in my neighborhood. I may even have a shot at drawing from life, if the birds come to me, I really like that! Can it be that simple? Spend several days hitting different spots, really like this assignment.  I had issues capturing the birds with sketch but I am beginning to draw faster and the birds are coming closer the more I sit.  

I sat on my porch at night in Denver, CO. Lot's of ambient city sounds and not very much wildlife. Looking forward to trying this out in nature. I did enjoy finding pockets of stillness and peace woven into the soundscape.

This was very engaging for me.  Sitting still is not my forte!  I surprised myself by staying for the whole 20 minutes on the sixth step of twelve looking down on a patio of flagstone, and above and to the right of me was a cascade of wisteria coming from a grassy area with bird feeders.  To the left were two tall fig trees, and in front of me even taller sets of river birches.  I was captivated to hear and see birds return after flying away when I first sat down. The silence lasted for minutes, but slowly I began to hear many different bird calls, at one point it was true cacophony!  A catbird practically shouted at me, and a sparrow came to drink water from a puddle about 20 feet in front of me.  When I turned my head, he/she flew away, but then crept back to the puddle to drink and splash again.  Some birds practically landed on my head when flying by!  Another sight that expanded my sense of observation was the number/variety of "greens" that could be identified as I sat there turning my head to the left and right, above and tho the ground.  It is summer here and the trees have all leafed out, grasses are tall and bearing seeds, and flowers are in all states of development.  I was also aware of the many different shapes and textures of leaves and seeds I could see from the fuzzy lamb's ear plant to a waxy succulent and a shiny reflective leaf from a birch tree. The weather was sunny although a thunderstorm was expected.  It never came.  What a peaceful time!