Despite my lack of good judgment in planning an outing right after my son Corbin’s gymnastics camp (read, he was tired and grumpy!) we ended up having a lovely afternoon with Audubon House Richardson Bay Board Member, Margaret Michael and her two sons as we explored the Center’s landscape. Watching our three boys play amid the seaside rocks, climbing on the elegant branches of the Eucalyptus trees, and pouncing through the tall meadow grasses, it was seeing children as they are meant to be: free to learn and explore at one, in nature.

A seemingly dead jellyfish led to a rich conversation about reverence for life - even if it doesn’t seem to have the same feelings as you. A young tiger shark swimming just offshore reminded us of how we are but one little part of the biosphere. Oh yes, and our different family backgrounds led to a rich discussion of cultural differences, freedom of speech and politics under varied governments. This part of the conversation led, by the way, by my oh-so-always-questioning Corbin. The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and educational outreach organization located near my home, yet I had not been there in years. A day filled with good reminders to explore the vast array of ecosystems and community based organizations that exist in so many of our great country’s neighborhoods.