Found - Treasures and Troves in Nature

Words by Lynsey Burke for Strathcona Park Lodge

Humans love to hunt, gather and safeguard their treasured discoveries. Be it a foraging outing for mushrooms or wild cranberries in the bog, fresh tracks, a bird call, a shifting mist on the mountains across the lake, a natural fort under the basin of a tree or to witness wildlife along your journey — finding things is enriching.

Fall and winter at Strathcona Park Lodge are quiet times. Step out the door from your waterfront cabin, breathe in the fresh scents and look around you.  What might be found today?

We are all pioneers of our own experience. In a slow wandering, the world invites notice. The less distracted wanderers often find the most excellent things just lying around for those who are patient and still enough to notice.

The feather of a migrating hawk — with subtle and soft stripes my daughter found on the forest floor is now a treasure on display. Rocks that are faultlessly shaped — or with stripes and bands of layering sediments that are so interesting they are tucked into a pocket. The hiking stick that is perfectly formed for you helps to steadily forge the mountain trails. Mushrooms discovered amidst the wet and misty landscape that will add depth to your evening meal. A mossy log that offers a pretty view and tucked away like a secret. The warm glow of a beach fire positioned against the backdrop of a starlit sky. The magic of nature is that there’s always something special to discover. 

What follows ‘the find’ is often the desire to understand and learn more. Curiousity sets the table for learning. The hawk feather we found turned into a conversation about bird behaviours and what species it belonged to. 

The greatest find of all may just be a sense of connectivity. In the wild, it’s finders keepers — especially when what’s found is a treat for the senses.