Passing on a Sense of Wonder
“What Bird Is That? A Pocket Museum of the Land Birds of the Eastern United Stated Arranged According to Season” by Frank M. Chapman, published in 1941, sits on my bookshelf next to several other old field guides. This guide is special not only because of its lively descriptions of birds, but also because it previously belonged to my mother-in-law, Alice, who I never knew. The book makes me think about the ties that connect us to generations past and future. Chapman, as curator of ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History, pioneer of early field guides, and originator of the Christmas Bird Count, left a legacy of bird scholarship and enthusiasm; Alice passed on the simple pleasure of watching backyard birds. As for me, I am currently teaching a class encouraging participants to draw from their wonderment for nature to create their own “Paper Museum.” I like thinking that someone in the future may pick up one of these journals and find a sense of connection and joy in its pages.
Drawn In 
We may never know how far our influence goes. In 1985 a person I barely knew gave me a very modest watercolor that they had done in a class and it inspired me to begin with watercolor five years later, which was over 30 years ago and now I love painting in watercolor, and other mediums. It inspired me and she would never have known that it could. Thank you for sharing your wonder with the world.
Thanks for sharing that story Cathy. It’s very true that we never know what we might spark with even simple gestures.
Hi Jean,
I loved your yellowthroat page. And the story with it! I treasure my mother’s binoculars and her copy of Peterson. She is responsible for my being a birder. Since it is not yellowthroat season, I am curious as to whether you did these sketches from previous encounters you did in the field or whether they are done from reference photos and videos? You certainly have caught them on the page!
Hi Dory– I did these from reference photos as part of my recent class, Birds in Different Poses– part of the Collecting on Paper series. We have Yellowthroats nearby all summer– I hear them more than see them. Now I’m looking for possible nests.
Connection and joy—I’m having it NOW!
Thanks so much Barbara!
Hi Jean I love the title of your post today. It is a good message at all of our ages … cultivating a sense of wonder, sharing it and encouraging it in our grandchildren and others. I always enjoy your creativity. Jann ________________________________
Thanks Jann. I agree– go forth and share some wonder!
I keep a watercolor journal in my car and often stop to observe then paint from where I sit. My works surely are not as detailed or beautiful but record places I frequent. With some trees still hanging on to leaves of varied colors, I can’t resist trying to capture them. It’s a nice way to remember places and special animals, birds and trees. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous watercolors!
What a good practice to keep a watercolor journal in your car. I bet it has many good memories and recordings!
Lovely, as always!
Thanks Susan!
I agree so much. At one point I was bemoaning to our daughter about the piles of sketchbooks and canvases I had, and the storage. I must have hinted at getting rid of some. Well she set me straight, “Dad, those are the story of your life, I want them.” So I continue to fill sketchbooks with my journeys, hoping some years down the road she derives so me joy from what she sees.
I’m sure she will Terry. We have stories, memories, things we saw that mattered in the moment, and a record of what’s around us in these books. Plus, I’d rather pass on sketchbooks than big canvases.
Dear Jean! Your posts give me such joy! Apologies for not replying to this thoughtful post, but didn’t want it to slip away. What an amazing treasure Chatman’s illustrated book about seasonal birds must be. The quote you’ve included with your illustration of yellow throats give a good sense of his observations and beautifully stated descriptions of birds.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Barb– You are such a consistent reader, but I hope you don’t feel obligated to comment on everything. I always appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks so very much, Jean! I love everything you post, and it’s always a pleasure offering comments. You’re a constant inspiration! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Likewise– Happy Thanksgiving Barb!
Pingback: Passing on a Sense of Wonder