Clash between Man and Nature...
How can something be so beautiful, yet so stomach churning all at once? Staunton River's yard is one of those strange places. The clash between man and nature creatures an odd state of mind for me. During the first stop on our walk, Jenna and I race to a nearby tree. I leaned my back against the fungus littered bark, only to quickly pull away. The wooden armor on the tree did its job, digging its way mercilessly into my flesh while the few visible gnarled roots scratch at my behind. My eyes then flutter to the ground to find a smooth surface to rest upon. I was surprised and intrigued as I notice a whirlwind of feathers, as if a bird had simply exploded from too much rice. After gleefully playing with the finches coat, I felt a cool breeze swirl around me, chasing the heat from my burning skin. Everything good has its bads though. My paper begins to flap furiously, trying to escape the winds currents.
Once my paper was quieted, I opened my ears to the joyous sounds of cicadas and birds chorusing together. My contented ways ceased as my optics lay restlessly onto the dirty blood painted bricks of building 5. So much beauty in nature, robbed by one cement culprit. I had to escape the sight so I leaped to my feet as Ruiz demanded our attention. Upon our departure from building 5, a birds nest is thrusts into my grasps. I simply carry it without much thought.
Our next destination went opposite of the first. My first observations were the hideous rectangular device degrading the lush green blanket of grass. Loud hums from machinery drown out the gentle calls of birds. But my smile soon returns as my orbs come upon a lone bush teeming with grasshoppers. My eyes then flutter to the nest I had placed beside me for further examination. Obviously it was made from a puny creature; hummingbird perhaps? The nest was wove mainly of dead clovers, each pricking my fingers with their lifeless bodies. Among the tangle of plants sat one piece of lone blue string, slithering in and out of the well built house. My attention was jerked from my specimen as Ruiz's call hit my drums. I gently took the nest into my firm grasp, protecting it from the harsh winds.
Before we reach our final destination, Ruiz, Jenna, and I discover a delightful Lil' critter. It's light tan feathers dusted with gray down caused me to immediately say it was a young sparrow, barely out of the nest. I explain to Ruiz and Jenna that birds kick chicks from the nest early on so to be taught the necessities of life; flight, bugs, and dangers.
Once the baby was safely from our feet we arrived at the back parking lot. The first thing I noticed was the rainbow of Earth destroyers. With tires of death to all who are unfortunate enough to cross a rode and back pipes that emit a foul Oder, and ultimately fatal chemical, cars truly are Satan's design.
After cursing the lot of destructive creatures, I notice a familiar dusty blue pickup. It's much smaller then some of the monster trucks around here, but that just added to its cuteness. The vehicle belongs to my friend, Mr.Stephanson. My hatred for cars washes away as my mind drifts to FFA and agriculture. A loud vroom brings me spinning back to reality though as a violet van joins the gathering of cars. It was put to rest besides a blue car, waiting for its next chance to destroy. I snarl at the creature but quickly change expressions as I see the puny heads of track runners bobbing up and down over the hills like ducklings in a pond.
My sight is soon blurred as my head turns and blaring lighting pierces my sensitive optics. Ruiz's watch, assisted by the sun, has taken yet another victim, with it's ominous glare. I blink a few times to regain vision before following my class up the hills to the home of the bobbing heads.
I gave a small shriek as my eyes lay upon a creature padding eagerly along side the group of students lazily drifting down the track. The dog looked to be an Australian Shepherd, Husky mix, emphasis on Husky. His twilight black and golden mane shone majestically in the afternoon rays. His tongue lay limply from his massive jaws, drool dribbling to the orange soil. He was in dire need of water but seemed content with the extra love and attention he was receiving. I let a small whine escape as we were lead from the brujo, back to class. My glorious time in nature had ended so time to return to the concrete forest.