By Sharon Ginsburg

People are sometimes there at the river fishing or paddling, but just sitting quietly on a rock at the edge and being present with the details of the living things all around was a surprising experience with very busy fish, insects and lots of plant life. In the water small, patterned bottom feeding fish seemed to be sucking up silt as they dug little holes in the riverbed. Poised above those busy fish were little minnows hovering, interested in the scattering crumbs with something to eat, I imagine from the disturbed riverbed being tossed upwards. Along the shore were various bees or wasps that landed apparently drinking water. Small orange and brown butterflies flitted about the bank more interested in the many plants. Just a quiet observant presence can see so much just relaxing, sitting on a rock. There were even footprints in the river mud that looked like raccoon hand paws, and some deer hoof tracks a bit farther inland. So much life going about its own creative business by the river. Then walking on a path, the five-foot-tall yellow blooming wingstem plants were abuzz with honeybees, wasps of various sizes and colors, fuzzy fat bumble bees and smaller flying insects all gathering pollen or nectar. These tall wingstems have visible very unusual flaps like edges running full length down their long stems, hence the name wingstem. Their yellow daisy like flowers are always missing some petals. White morning glory flowers and vines trailed around some of this greenery. Purple ironweed flowers stuck out here and there among the masses of wingstem blooms. All are fading fast with the frosts and coming colder weather. In WV it isn’t necessary to go anywhere to be nourished by nature. Just sit on the porch and look, walk the neighborhood, find a nearby park or creek. Drive a bit to Hanging Rock tower in Monroe County, the Greenbrier River Trail which runs from Caldwell north to Cass or enjoy trails in the Monongahela National Forest. The deer have been eating too many plants and bushes in my yard and flower beds all season. It is time for the hunters and meat eaters to really get nourished by nature and eat more venison.