Do I really need another thing to do?
Introduction to the Flora and Fauna Blog
The idea of a blog grew slowly on me. I mean, I need another thing to do like a hole in the head. At first, I thought I would use a blog to market my print-on-demand businesses, one of which is called Ealaionta Design (sounds like “al-ee-enta” which means artful in Irish). After all, that is what I hear constantly from the YouTube experts, market your print-on-demand stores, even if they are in a marketplace, and use a blog to do it. I started thinking about what I wanted to write about. And soon, everywhere I turned, I saw topics for a blog! Oh, I could write about that interesting book on bird migration I read. Or I could write about that study on orca communication. And there’s that podcast I listened to about trees. Even my walks photographing birds and plants became ideas for blog posts. My head started to explode and I realized – this was more than just a marketing blog.
And so, I decided to evolve my initial idea and shift focus to a nature blog. What does that mean? I’ll tell you what it means to me – a chance to focus on nature, topics both large and small, from worldwide issues to my backyard, learning new things, sharing resources, and exploring conservation and environmental issues and ways to help our world. And ultimately, sharing in the wonder and awe of our natural world. You know, just a few small things.
What can you expect in this blog? Honestly, I don’t know yet! I am figuring it out as I go. I believe in planning (ask anyone who knows me how much I love my planner and project pages!) – but I also trust the process and am willing to take that step without actually knowing where it will lead. So hang in there with me, it will come together, I promise!
I am aiming for one post a week but in the beginning it may be just 2-3 a month. They will be relatively short, at least in the beginning, focused on a topic that has caught my eye that week or an experience that resonated and caused me to reflect or research for more information. I hope to build a library of resources for anyone interested in more information as well as a list of great organizations doing good work in conservation and environmental causes. I plan to interview interesting people doing cool things. I want to connect with others and build a community so I hope to hear from readers about their thoughts and interests. Because I am a nature photographer, I plan to share some of my photography too.
Oh, and introductions are probably a good idea! I am a lecturer at a university, teaching research methods and animal behavior in an animal policy program and conducting research to help pets in shelters and how to support pets and their people in the community. I also work on a fascinating project looking at attitudes toward seals and sharks on Cape Cod, MA. I have a background in market research and clinical and social psychology. I live in central Massachusetts with my husband, four children, and currently my daughter’s four ferrets. I am an avid nature and wildlife photographer, often photographing flowers, plants, and wildlife, especially birds. I love capturing beautiful floral still life images. I also photograph people. I’d say I am a developing naturalist.
All that said, that is what I am but not who I am. In a nutshell, I’d say – I am someone with a deep love of nature, an insatiable curiosity, and a great enthusiasm for research. I like when my perspective changes, seeing things in new ways, learning new information. My photography often reflects this view, showing a different angle of a flower, seeing the small close up through macro photography, capturing birds in their natural environment, on branches in greenery or in flight. I take great delight in sharing with and learning from other people. My family is incredibly important to me, nothing is better than a day spent with my favorite people in the world. Our pets are family too, I feel a deep connection to them and their place in our family. And that extends to animals in the natural world, I love seeing and learning about wildlife.
Oh, and I guess I am a person willing to add another thing to the plate when I’m excited, even if it’s like a hole in the head. So that is a bit about me! I would love to hear from you about your interests and experiences so please comment below. And follow me on social media (currently just Instagram) for updates and additional content. I appreciate your help spreading the word, so feel free to share any posts that catch your interest or any of my posts on social media. I thank you!
Let’s connect!
If you made it this far, thank you! I am looking forward to this journey and happy to share it with people like you! Please drop a comment below to introduce yourself or visit the From Flora to Fauna Facebook page and share how you connect with nature.
explore | connect | share | transform
