Nature Journal 9: Rainy Reflections

This past weekend, I went for a walk with friends through neighborhoods near my house and admired the rain from my porch. It was a gloomy evening with ominous clouds which threatened a downpour. It was incredibly humid, around 70 degrees, and slightly windy. The walk conditions were ideal because it wasn’t too sunny or hot, breezy, and overall pleasant. We walked a shorter route than usual due to the dark clouds insinuating dense rainfall. The sidewalks were caked in mud from previous rain showers earlier in the day, leading to some creative jumps to avoid the messiness. The vibrant green tree hues contrasted against the dull, gray, and overcast sky. As far as fauna, I observed at least five squirrels climbing trees or roaming through front lawns, two neighborhood cats wandering around, and various birds perched in trees. Our walk concluded without a drop of rain; however, it began drizzling and then pouring shortly after we got home.


Once it began raining, I decided to stand on my porch and admire the droplets. The sound of each drop striking the ground, roof, trees, etc. overpowered the road traffic that typically dominates all audible noises. This highlights how powerful nature can be, emphasizing the effortless influence nature inherently holds. Additionally, my experience proves the predictability and unpredictability of weather patterns. I expected rain to imminently occur on my walk, but I wasn’t sure when or if it actually would. Instead, the downpour happened shortly after my stroll. I imagine people were highly attuned to weather patterns prior to meteorologists because their livelihood potentially depended on understanding various environmental signs. I take weather predictions for granted on a daily basis without reflecting on the effort that is exerted to determine expected conditions. Once it stopped raining, there was a muggy freshness in the air with a characteristic post-rain scent. I enjoyed my time anticipating, admiring, and reflecting on the rainfall this weekend! I hope it enhanced plant growth and soil moisture in preparation for an upcoming drought-prone summer. 




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