How to Read the Wilderness

Summer is the season when people become the most restless.
If it's too hot outside, I will hide away in an air-conditioned corner of my public library in a cafe, where the people-watching is good. Recently, I've been practicing my watercolor and brush control with human calligraphy.

Many outdoor trips will be unplanned. There will be side quests with the kids to walk and support our favorite small businesses. There is a local donut shop (open since 1959) a boba tea shop, and a Mexican fruit stand on a sidewalk corner.

For longer day hikes, I will have in hand this book, "How to Read the Wilderness" by The Nature Study Guild. This beautifully illustrated book is a wealth of nature knowledge. Maybe, instead of hiking past a swath of anonymous plants in the forest, we will use this book to learn each of their names and greet each one.

Finally, I hope to write more poetry this summer. Why? I want to slow down and savor every word and every sight in the fleeting moments of summer. And, as in the words of W.H. Davies in the poem, Leisure: "What is this life if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare?"

May your summer be marked by as many moments of nature and calm that you can afford in our chaotic and busy times.

In this newsletter
🗞️Nature stories
📖 In my sketchbook
🎫 Upcoming events
🤝Help and resources

🗞️Nature news round-up
A kaleidoscope of butterflies in Santa Cruz, Calif. – At the end of May, a congregation of little orange and black butterflies could be seen in unusually large groups. I saw these for myself near a local shopping center in Cupertino, Calif. (near Apple Computers). While the butterflies look similar to Monarch butterflies (Daneaus plexippus), they are in fact California tortoiseshell butterflies (Nymphalis californica).

According to local butterfly experts, these more common butterflies have had a bounty year. Are you noticing more butterflies in your area? I would love to know about it if you want to email me your thoughts.

Fallen humpback whales in Monterey Bay, Calif. – A juvenile humpback whale was found dead at Monterey Bay, Calif. This is the second post-mortem whale beaching within a two week period, where another juvenile humpback was discovered not too far away in Pacific Grove, a residential neighborhood in Monterey.

This year alone shows a record of 62 whale deaths, and a humpback whale can live for as long as 95+ years old. This could give us pause as to what is affecting the whales at an earlier age. Read more.

📖In my sketchbook: Get ready for any outdoor adventure

Fine print: I partner with Blick.com and when you purchase any items from my affiliate link, this generates a small commission that supports me and my family.

It's never easy to draw when you plan on it.
If I were to open up my sketchbook on my desk, and place my tools neatly in a mise en place or "put in place" fashion, this will set the wrong expectation. Many creatives agree: they are most inspired in a moment of transition, such as waking up, taking a walk or transitioning between dinner and bed. The office desk is a static place, whereas no two outdoor expeditions are ever the same, even when visiting the same place twice.

It's fun to learn about the tools that sketchers like to carry, as they differ from person to person.
To ensure I'm prepared for any moment of creative transition, I keep my art tools in my sketch bag, ready to go. The Stillman & Birn Beta 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" inch Landscape tolerates a lot of water, and it doesn't get dog-eared in my bag. If you want a varied line, I still prefer the 55 degree Sailor Fude pen, with Noodler's Lexington Grey ink. The Pentel pocket brush pen is also very good for making variable dark marks, but it has a very bendy brush tip. Your mileage will vary here, but give it a try.

Go to Blick.com to see my recommended art supplies list of items that I keep in my field sketching bag. Or email me if you have any questions about the tools I use.

🎫Upcoming events
[June 17, 2026] Poetry & Storycatching will be hosted at the Santa Clara City Library (in person). RSVP on their website.
In this workshop, we will kick off summer reading by reading a short poem together, making meaning of it, and then connecting it to the small moments in our own lives. If you're local and seeking community, join us!

[June 20, 2026] Save the date for Nature Journaling Club (in person).
This next one will be hosted at Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Fremont. Details will come soon. I will tell you when the final Meetup description is posted. You can also add yourself to the June 20th Save the Date on my events page for just-in-time notifications.

There are no online events this month as I will be on vacation. Stay tuned for July announcements if you would like to hear about upcoming introductory online watercolor workshops.

🤝Help and resources
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