Peanuts In My Pocket

My wife and I have fallen into a pattern that I love. She’s still working, though retirement is just a few months away. On Saturdays, after we return our grandsons to their parents, we head out on our weekend adventure. It usually involves birding and hiking, but sometimes the birds refuse to cooperate and it’s just hiking. I’m completely fine with that.

This past weekend we explored a new spot, the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Central Park. Neither of us had visited before, though I’ve spent time in the surrounding park on photo walks and playing disc golf. The weather didn’t help. It was hazy, overcast, and cold. The birds stayed hidden in the dense foliage. I took a few photos, but the conditions didn’t offer many opportunities. So we hiked instead, and it was glorious.

There’s nothing quite like being out in nature. It takes me back to childhood, when days at the park or the beach were what I loved most. The nature center scratched that itch perfectly. The place is beautiful and quiet, even in winter. It’s ideal for taking a breath and slowing down.

My wife has a great eye. I think of her as my birding spotter, but also as someone who notices the small details that make a place special. Along the way she pointed out birds, but also plants, flowers, and mushrooms that I might have walked past without noticing. I took photos as we wandered.

Our hike turned into more of a slow, meditative walk. We covered about a mile and a half in an hour, not because the terrain was difficult, but because there was so much to see. We’d take a few steps, stop, look around, and then move on. I even managed to steal a kiss or two under the trees. It’s our thing. It was a perfect outing.

The Shipley Nature Center has limited hours, so it’s worth checking the website before visiting. Admission is free, though donations help support the center. There’s a small gift shop and restrooms on site. During our visit, I counted only eight other people and no children. That might explain just how quiet it felt.

I plan to return throughout the year to photograph the changing seasons. I’d love to see more plants in bloom. The native toyon bush, also known as Christmas berry (Heteromeles arbutifolia), was in full color and the main reason for our visit. I hoped to spot a cedar waxwing, since they love toyon berries, but it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe next time.