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THE ENCHANTED NATURE NEWSLETTER

Issue 13

January 2022


Greetings Enchanted Nature Community


Welcome To The Enchanted Nature Newsletter

Winter!

Winter has definitely arrived! 

Many of our Enchanted Nature community here in the east are dealing with snow. 

Is it beautiful, inconvenient, or maybe even necessary? YES, it is all of the above! Remember, that snow will eventually melt to water your landscape and potentially come out of your (or someone else's) faucet. 


To all of our Enchanted Nature readers, please be safe out there. Remember to stop every now and again to enjoy the natural beauty around you. Maybe even take a photo to share with your fellow readers.

Our TOP CONTRIBUTOR, Mr. Jack Wilson shared this strange (science-fiction worthy) photo this month. Thank you Jack!

Giant Puffball, Calvatia gigantica

This appears to be a mutation in the tree's bark, most likely caused by an insect invader. It may also be a nest of insects created with expert camouflage to match the tree bark. We are stumped! Without an in-person study of this phenomenon, we here at Enchanted Nature Tours are flummoxed. 

If any of you have an insight, please share your knowledge.

Adventures@EnchantedNatureTours.com

Again Jack, THANK YOU for sharing your BEAUTIFUL photography skills with us!


Please continue sending us your pics and queries: adventures@enchantednaturetours.com   

You can also text your pics & questions to (540) 324-8778.

Pics from the Writers


These two White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) came down to the branch looking for some vegetation to nibble on. All that we can think is WOOOO...those must be some very cold and wet hooves! The resilience of wildlife never ceases to amaze. It is absolutely nice to come home to a heated room after a winter hike.


The White-Breasted Nuthatch

by Christopher Vacher


    I love birds and consider them all to be my personal friends. They sing for me, come to greet me when I'm filling the feeders, and have my envy for their talent to fly. Whether it is the petite Black Capped Chickadee or a soaring Bald Eagle, they are all beautiful. Even Turkey Vultures are beautiful soaring through blue skies.

    

    One avian friend that brings joy into my life is the White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). 

These little cuties are common throughout the United States. 

The White-Breasted Nuthatch is absolutely entertaining with it's acrobatic head-down stunts. It can walk down a tree trunk just as easily as up.  They are sometimes described as the "upside-down bird" or "wall walker". They like to keep company with other familiar species like the Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, and Black-capped Chickadees.

FEELING RELAXED? IF NOT, BACK UP AND TRY AGAIN.


NATURE IS CALLING, WILL YOU ANSWER

There are many proven health benefits to spending time in nature. It has also been proven that just looking at images of nature can provide multiple health benefits including: reducing depression, speeding healing, improving your immune system, preventing dementia, improving your mood, and increasing happiness. We end each newsletter with a short video of a natural scene. 

Hopefully the videos will provide you with some of the benefits listed above.

Findings reported in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, suggest that keeping a few snapshots of greenery around yourself might be beneficial. When participants viewed the natural images in the experiment, their stress levels lowered, thanks to the activation of their parasympathetic nervous system – which controls certain rest functions. "Viewing green scenes may thus be particularly effective in supporting relaxation and recovery after experiencing a stressful period and thereby could serve as an opportunity for micro-restorative experiences and a promising tool in preventing chronic stress and stress-related diseases." 

Please be sure to share this newsletter with your friends. 

Word of mouth is the best advertising.

*Enchanted Nature News*


Give the gift of nature! We now offer gift certificates. They can be customized and emailed for any occasion. The gift certificates are available at our Trading Post


We have added a new web page called, "Our Local Friends". These are small local businesses that we support and feel confident recommending. Keep an eye on the page, as we expect the list to grow.


Stay safe and enjoy nature


If you haven't taken the time to explore our website, please do.

There are a lot of free educational resources to enjoy


If you wish to unsubscribe, simply drop us an email at Adventures@EnchantedNatureTours.com 

with the word, "unsubscribe"

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