Naturalist John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” I couldn’t agree more.
There’s something meaningful about traveling to the countryside and learning more about our natural world. It feeds part of the soul that can’t be met with concrete and neon. Our opportunity came this weekend in California Duck Days, an annual event organized by the Yolo Basin Foundation and a host of city, state and conservation groups.
What a fun event! There were tons of things to see and do, from arts and crafts to hands on exhibits about wildlife. You could build a bird box, practice your duck calling and get an up close view of such wonderful raptors including a Barn Owl and American Kestrel. One of the favorite stops for many was being able to hold duckling.
Other kids were trying their luck hunting for invertebrates, although I know at least one boot had to be retrieved from the pond!
The fishing was good, as son RJ landed two Rainbow Trout in about 20 minutes.
Our family is lucky in many ways, including opportunities to have our kids and ourselves in the country, witnessing things like a flock of thousands of Snow Geese taking off from a rice field or having a staring contest with a Burrowing Owl family. But what about the urban family that doesn’t venture out of the city limits very much? How can they appreciate nature and understand its needs without seeing it for themselves? That’s what makes events like California Duck Days so worthwhile.
Plus the trout made a wonderful dinner!
Jim Morris is Communications Manager for the California Rice Commission. Jim has worked in communications for more than 20 years. When he’s not on the job, he enjoys his family, faith, football, outrageous monster stories and running marathon
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