Jen's Nature Lens

 "A walk in nature walks the soul back home." ~Mary Davis   These very words came to mind yesterday as I hiked along the trails of Calvert Cliffs State Park located in Lusby, Maryland. When I arrived around noon it was a pleasant 66°f with sunshine and a light breeze. Much of the Red Trail is tree lined and provides ample shade with a few open sky views alongside protected wetlands to and from the beach. Calvert Cliffs State Park Beach Pink Mountain Laurel blossoms brightened the landscape as turtles sunned on logs surrounded by water lily pads and their blooms. Bird songs and frog croaks filled the air with nature's praise. It was an absolute delight to the senses!  Mountain Laurel Blossoms Eastern Painted Turtle Spending time in nature offers many benefits for our health. Nature provides for us holistically as it nurtures our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Outdoor green spaces can be found in cities, towns, gardens, rural farms, parks, zoos, and botanical a...

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest, most common, widespread heron living in North America standing at 3 to 4.5 feet tall with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. Despite its size, this bird has a lightweight frame of hollow bones and weighs 5 to 6 pounds. I captured this photo at the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve before drought conditions occurred and unfortunately, there is no longer water in this spot for capturing a mirror reflection of this beautiful creature. Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) Piney Orchard Nature Preserve (2023) The four basic needs of wildlife are: Space Food  Water Shelter Great blue herons can be found in Maryland along shorelines, riverbanks, lakes, ponds, estuaries, and the edges of marshes. They reside year-round throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, thriving in marshes and wetlands. While the overall populations of the Great Blue Heron are classified as of least concern, certain small coastal populations require attention for the protection of ...

 "And may we ever have gratitude in our hearts that the great Creator in all His glory has placed the herbs in the field for our healing." ~Edward Bach Basil is an herb with a timeless legacy symbolizing love and devotion. Its unique aroma stimulates the senses. Basil is rich with antioxidants, vitamins C,K, and A, manganese, and iron. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Using basil oil topically on small wounds and irritations helps soothe and heal skin. It is also used to help prevent and treat acne. The flowers and leaves of Basil are edible. The leaves are commonly used for culinary purposes popular in Italian and Thai cuisine. Purple basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil and can be substituted for such in recipes. "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of the earth, and every tree which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food." Genesis 1:29 WEB Organic herb gardening in containers is a simple and eff...