Full circle, full heart

It’s been a year now. When the newspapers that carried my nature column went belly-up last fall I was pretty much left adrift in a churning sea. For thirty-two years before that, every single week, I got to write about and share with readers what I love most, good things happening in the natural world. And get paid for it!

So now what? Like 600 other folks let go that day, many of them fellow writers, I was suddenly treading water and feeling kind of seasick. And then Poseidon—or was it Neptune?—tossed me a lifeline.

It was in fact my dear friend Vicki who found this harbour for me, substack.com. A brilliant storyteller and novelist who’s survived many a storm in the publishing world, and triumphed, she brainstormed possibilities with her own support team, then pushed and prodded me to “go online,” until, with a gulp, I started dog-paddling in that direction.

My amazing, astute niece Rebecca made it happen. Towed me through the bewildering technical setting-up/anchoring process and then taught me what to do—how to insert pictures and text and hit Send.  Starting with “The eyes and wings of a raptor” last October 27.

Relief, hope, delight. Calm seas, sail raised to the wind. All I have to do now is look around for sea eagles, skimmers and spouting whales, and write about how special and unique they are, so anyone else cruising by might be intrigued, and want to protect them. Good news, indeed, from the great outdoors!

I want to thank absolutely everyone, friends, family, strangers, who are taking part in this grand adventure, exploring the natural world, and I hope you’re having fun. I’m so lucky, lucky, lucky to know Mike, Larry and other gifted photographers who willingly share their love of wildlife and bring it to life here.

I’m deeply, profoundly grateful to generous “paid subscribers” who help keep me afloat, plus able to contribute to vital global efforts so many groups are making. The Nature Conservancy, for example, which just created a protected corridor through Colombia’s hugely biodiverse Orinoco savanna. Neighbouring Ecuador’s Fundación Jocotoco, stewarding critical reserves for endangered species from the high Andes to the Galápagos. The Ancient Forest Alliance, fighting for the lives of some of the oldest, tallest trees left on Earth.

It’s a gargantuan challenge, caring for our beautiful planet. We’re all in it together, and everyone is needed. Today, I hope you can feel it—the waves of appreciation coming your way from me! Thank you.