Through nature journaling, I have started creating detailed records of places I’ve been. I have even found myself going back to certain pages to help myself remember what I did and observed that day. Nature journaling has sharpened my observation skills, leading me to discover all kinds of interesting things I would not have noticed before. You would be amazed at all the things you start noticing when you stop and spend an hour or two in one place.

 

East South Bear Creek Drive

East South Bear Creek Drive is a beautiful road to wander down, especially during the “wet” season. Before the grasslands and foothills dry out and turn gold, you can find various wildflowers growing along the lush, green roadsides.

 

Mono Lake Inn

Under the shade of what I eventually decided was a tall, mighty willow tree, I sketched the view of Mono Lake that lay before me. Then I took some notes about the tree so I could figure out whether or not my willow guess was correct.

 

Upper Sage Flat Campground

Big Pine Creek flows past the Upper Sage Flat Campground (located off of Glacier Lodge Road) in Inyo National Forest. Recent thunderstorms filled the creek with rushing water, making the shady creekside very inviting on a warm afternoon. I sat down, pulled my notebook out of my bag, and started looking around for interesting things to draw and observe.

 

Big Pine Lakes

A few of the Big Pine lakes have a breathtaking turquoise hue that varies hour by hour and season by season. Wildflower gardens grew in pockets along the North Fork trail at Big Pine Lakes. Ranger’s buttons grow in the moist soils along the trails. They may not be classically pretty, but they are cute.