My local connection to the more-than-human world

The video I created from clips that captured either something that's beautiful to see or listen to is below. For anyone not interested in the sounds or a 2-minute time commitment, some still photos are included below the video and description.

My video shows a gem of a place that's less than 5 km from my home. I've lived in Sackville for most of my life, but had never been to this particular place until the pandemic hit. I found myself needing to spend time outdoors, but away from other people. I also wanted somewhere I could take my dogs off-leash. We love the local trails and parks, but sometimes the dogs and I just want to explore without engaging with other people - we need something more-than-human. Webber Lake (accessible from Exit 2A on Hwy101 or the 101 service Road from Lucasville Road) is wonderful because I rarely see other people there, and when I do, they seem to be "my people".

It's not the most technical trail; the views aren't what many would call spectacular, and there isn't total silence as defined by Loften (2018), "the presence of time undisturbed", but it's been a gift to me over the past three years. I explored on my own that first spring and summer, finding new trails each time I visited, venturing farther with each walk until I had a complete map of the area in my head. It's close to home and, with several connecting loops, provides an opportunity for a 20 minute escape or 2 hours of rambling, even after work in the winter when the light dies early. I have come here with a variety of people, including (at different times) my partner, children, their friends, my friends, and students, but I think I enjoy my time there alone the most. Alone as a human, I mean. I generally bring my two dogs and usually I don't speak while I'm there. I listen.

This is where I "encounter Gaia". Words from Harding's (2006) descriptions of engaging with Gaia that stood out to me are all words I would use to describe my sensory experiences here: reciprocal, participatory (p. 54), animate, dynamic (p. 55), interconnected (p. 56), holistic and local (p. 65). These sounds and images capture early morning (7:30 - 8:30 am) in the field, woods, brookside, lakeside, and at the waterfall, but another interesting way to experience this place would be to choose one of my favorite spots and put together images and sounds at different times of the day or through the various seasons. I love them all.