Adventures of Woods and Seas

The outdoor realm encompasses a vast array of sites--
water, land, wetlands--for us to embrace, explore, and enjoy. Subsistence, recreation, knowledge, and spiritual teachings are available from the woods and seas. The roles of naturalist, hunter, photographer, fisherman, trapper, canoeist, spiritualist, boat captain, hiker, and adventurer are a sprinkling of hats worn by the souls fortunate enough to venture forth into the outdoor world.

Fate and interests, being what they may, pointed me, even nudge me, into this woods and water realm. Yes, good fortune placed a smattering of outdoor folks in my path. Ranges of expertise spanned from the best in their respective fields to dedicated souls. Above all they freely shared their outdoor lore and experiences.

This grouping of outdoor folks shared, if not purpose, intensity of pursuit of their specific outdoor discipline. Often, opinions varied on the use of a resource, ranging from exploitation to preservation. The majority of participants, however, operated on a mid-level of conservation (wise use).

The purpose of this book, Adventures of Woods and Seas, is to share and expose the vast range of outdoor experiences available. With knowledge, we may avoid fighting over the "proper use" of our resources. Let's share this wonderful outdoor realm and the passion of various pursuits. One user group might not fully embrace or understand the motivation of the other. However, the interest, the passion of pursuit, are based on similar footings. The resources provide the mutually shared stage. Let's protect this stage, together. This outdoor world is finite, fragile--in need of shared stewardship.

Yes, I've been blessed with outdoor opportunities that allowed the wearing of many "hats." Fisherman, photographer, hunter, naturalist, sailor are some coming to mind. Locales of experience range from urban ponds and wood lots to equatorial, temperate, and sub-arctic areas around the globe. Adventures of Woods and Seas is a colorful compilation of a variety of outdoor pursuits, destinations, and philosophies of use.

The sequel volume to Adventures of Woods and Seas is underway. Further journeys embrace backyard farm ponds of New England, sub-arctic wilds of Canada, rain forests, waters of Central America, the Pacific realm, the continental northwest, the Hawaiian Isles. Focus again will be on the flora, fauna, and people of each region.

On a recent October morning, an urban wood lot walk, well within city limits, produced numerous outdoor sightings: Red foxes chasing mice, rafts of colorful wood ducks milling about, an ancient, nearly albino (white) whitetailed deer ghosting along the wood lot edge, mourning doves collecting on tree branches, and monarch butterflies assembling in preparation for riding the north winds to Mexico for the winter.

I paused, reflected the Adventures of Woods and Seas will never cease!

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