Adam Baker: Outdoor Experience--Norfolk Botanical Garden

On Sunday, November 29, I spent the morning at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, walking along a number of paths through various gardens and groves of trees. The morning air was cool and crisp, and a gentle breeze rustled the vegetation. Only a few other individuals were present, and it was quiet, save for the chirping of birds and sounds from the adjacent Norfolk International Airport. I enjoyed my stroll through a pine forest on a walkway largely hidden by needles. Portions of the trail were elevated from a swamp below, and there were obvious signs of damage from the November Nor’easter that pounded the area with high winds and heavy rains. Debris was still scattered about from fallen trees in the swamp, and one section of the elevated trail was closed because a tree forced it into the water. These details communicated just a sampling of the incredible power and potential fury of nature, but this day was much more tranquil. The swamp seemed devoid of animal life, but thriving with pine trees and a variety of other plants. I left the area and headed toward another grove of trees with just a few remaining leaves. Here, one could look through the trees across to the main runway at the airport. Indeed, the noise from a series of departing aircraft was noticeable, but personally not a detractor from the surrounding landscape. I enjoyed the beauty of trees preparing for the onset of winter, as contrasted with the perfectly blue tapestry of sky. Hearing rustling to my right, I turned sharply to notice a squirrel burrowed halfway under the blanket of leaves, presumably placing or retrieving a nut. I also came across a massive flock of geese seemingly unphased by my presence. They were far from camera-shy and I was able to photograph several geese from a distance of just a few feet. Returning to the parking lot in which my vehicle was located, I left simple trails covered in leaves for an expansive paved area, and I could not help but to feel as if I was leaving one world and entering an entirely other, less captivating one.