Will Rogers State Historic Park

When the birds return

My heart sings to hear the birds return. When I arrived in LA, bird sightings and sounds were rare. I woke each morning to the hum of vehicles on the road and water spilling from a large fountain across the road—where were nature’s morning wakeful songs?

I remembered my return from Canada after six months in 2016-17 and being surprised by how loud the birds were at home in Australia. Why had I not noticed before? That’s the beauty of the human body waking to its true nature.

When Tom and I went on our hike, it was to Will Rogers State Historic Park. Who was Will Rogers? Starting his life as a ‘cowhand’, he went on to become known as a stage and motion picture American vaudeville performer and actor. He was a philosopher and humourist, wrote books and was a widely read newspaper columnist and radio personality. California State Park says he is still regarded as one of the greatest ropers of all time, and it was his witticism when performing tricks that won him fame and fortune. He died in an airplane incident 55 years young. By all accounts, he shared his fortune with charities worldwide.

Maybe you’ve heard or seen his famous quote?

‘There ain’t nothing to life but satisfaction. No man is great if he thinks he is.’

Moving on… so why have the birds returned to sing?

While I can’t say for absolute certain, I can say that we all emit a frequency and when that frequency is aligned with nature, nature has a way of infusing a space – in this case, an area of land mass – with what I perceive as a safe zone where the animals can show up. Or, could it be that only I see and hear the birds?

My knowing says the more anchored I am with nature and my own true nature, which are interconnected… the more fields of perception are available to me. In other words, depending on any given moment and whether I’m still or busy, thinking or absent of thought, gives rise to viewing more of life from the multidimensional… we all have this ability. Considering this reminds me of James Redfield’s series of books beginning with The Celestine Prophecy; what I write here likely echoes, The Secret of Shambala, but don’t quote me on that.

So, when Tom took us to Will Rogers State Historic Park for a hike, the first thing I noticed was the birds. Tiny birds with the sweetest high-pitched sounds flitted in and out of the flora. While the climb was strenuous for me, as my body purged deep-rooted threads of a long-held pattern and clenched my chest, I wasn’t able to fully take in all that was about me. On the way down was much easier and a whole lot stood out to me.

Admiring Bigpod Ceanothus, Chaparral Yucca, California Cottonrose and many other species of plants, it was a feast for my senses and I wished we had more time to explore further. The gates closed at 8 pm and the sun had already dipped below the horizon. Beautiful mountains!

Another sight I greatly appreciated along the loamy path of what is known as Inspiration Point Loop Trail, was the quotes carved into the bench seats every so often… all equally worthy of sharing as they are poignant reminders for living on and with the Earth at any time.

Our vantage point from that location was good too. As we neared where we’d started, I spotted movement between Tom, who was in front of me, and where I was. I stopped to watch a Western Fence Lizard hurry to safety… many thanks to this site for learning all the names! I also noted Western Rattlesnakes can be seen in the area… thankfully we didn’t come across one. Which reminds me, I saw signage that said, ‘Get your Rattlesnake Vaccination now.’ Upon further investigation, I discovered it’s for dogs.

Naively, there can be so much we don’t know when in unfamiliar territory.

When I wake the following morning, I smile at the sights and sounds of the black crow, the sparrow and tiny finches playing near the balcony of my son’s third-floor apartment. It’s another clear blue sky day. Hmmm… a holographic projection, my multidimensional perception, or what IS?

I’ll let you decide!

Until soon… thank you for journeying with me.

Love in Harmony,

Leanda Michelle ✍️📚

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