Kip’s Comments - June 8, 2025 — LadagePhotography.com

How Many See, What Are We Not Seeing, Imagine What We Could See

So often it seems like our lives are moving at a fast-forward pace to the point that I sometimes wonder if we are really living or just existing to get to the next project - whatever that may be. We drive fast, we bike fast, we run fast, and we walk fast. And, I’ve been told we even talk fast. Our fast pace is OK as long as we realize that if we slow down we might see and enjoy more. We might become more immersed in the moment and might live for the “now.” Let me provide a couple of examples.

In the ditches near Cedar Falls, along the Avenue of the Saints, there are patches of wildflowers that are just beautiful. As I roamed the wildflowers with my camera I wondered how many of the drivers of the tens of thousands of vehicles on that road daily even notice the beauty around them. I am guilty of driving right by the blossoms most of the time. Today was different as we stopped so I could slow down and check out the wildflowers.

As I thought about the plants I wondered what America could look like if we took advantage of the real estate along our roadways to create habitat. I am not suggesting just grass habitat, but native plantings that include wildflowers. Think of the beauty we would enjoy for miles and miles and miles. Imagine the positive impact we might have on pollinators. And, once established, consider the reduced maintenance cost we might realize. (I am thankful for the areas that have been enhanced with wildflowers. Thank you!!)

In a local park I was walking along the lake listening to and watching for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and turtles. Before I even reached the water I could hear many warbling vireos calling back and forth. Occasionally they would flit from one tree to another. I stopped walking and just watched. Every now and then I pressed my shutter release button for a photo, but had I been carrying an audio recorder I would have captured something naturally pretty for our ears.

Just as I noticed with the wildflowers, I saw many folks walking, running, and cycling not too many yards from me, but I saw nobody stop to listen and enjoy the vireos. I guess to each their own!