Umpteen Horizons » Nature

Love Roars

Leo Denton — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:34:39 +0000

Some of our most vital roots lie on the African savannah. Surviving the day means listening for every noise and watching in every direction. Days and nights are filled with care for our young, mother’s milk, and tender family love. Together we search for food and safety with sweat pouring down our bodies. At times the lions pounce on us, our blood is spilt, and we cry over dear lives lost. At night, stories, new and old, are told invigorating us to live longer and be victorious together. Before resting, we make music, dance, and sing:

Roaring lion on the African savannah, photo credit: Gerald and Buff Corsi, California Academy of Sciences, and the Smithsonian Institution.

“Play and get strong! We need you, we need you, we need you!
Spot the lion and bring us food! Give your life, give your life, give your life!
Run bravely through the grass and rise to the sky! Live in us, live in us, live in us!”

The Lion of Love is no idealist’s dream; it is wild and powerful. Surviving this day means rolling up our sleeves, throwing off our blinders, and abandoning the comfortable life to live with urgency for the benefit of all. Then through experiencing births, milk, sweat, victories, blood, deaths, tears, … we are caught into the organic renewability of the savannah. We embrace the giftedness and irreplaceability of each person.

One way or another, the hungry lion is focused on each of us. Every dominance, dishonesty, conceit, anger, and attachment will be laid waste. The hunt is on. The decisive siege has begun. But the lion is also a tender-hearted shepherd seeking out each needed lost lamb, “I love you, I love you, I love you, even if no one else loves you, I love you!” Love roars and heals!

“To Be A Genius – Seek Out The Genius In Others”

Leo Denton — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:45:27 +0000

This saying, my own I think, is part of the way to profoundly appreciate others, liberate ourselves from our narrow perspectives, reconcile, become healthy and whole, rediscover the joy and pain of life, share the bounteousness of our Earth, convey Wondrous News, find God, …

Before the Gulf oil disaster, I thought of this mostly in terms of human community, but I’m beginning to see with new eyes the Giftedness or Grace or Genius in everything. My family just spent a few days in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We camped there on beautiful Okracoke Island. This National Seashore shares much in common with the white beaches and barrier islands of the northern Gulf Coast. For example, the beaches sport six line race runners and are part of a larger eco-system of dunes, wooded areas, and coastal marshes.

A six line race runner skirts across a walk way on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

Our incredible campsite at the Okracoke campground, photographed May 31, 2011.

The plants and trees of the wooded areas near Okracoke's beaches were diverse and beautiful, photographed May 31, 2011.

A marsh on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

But at the Outer Banks, when one looks out into the ocean, there’s an immediate obvious difference too – North Carolina has no offshore drilling. Additionally, there’s many more shell pieces near the shore that sustainably support the beach against erosion. Not just shell parts either, an abundance of living shell life that is incredible. I remember from my childhood the numerous the coquinas on Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores. On the National Seashore there still there a great numbers all along the shoreline. The sand fleas too are unbelievably plentiful – just sit down, let your hands slip into the sand, and pull them up – as numerous as fleas on a country dog in summer.

Where have all the oil rigs gone? Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

Hundreds of coquinas burrowing back under the sand on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

Innumerable shell help protect Okracoke Island from erosion, photographed May 31, 2011.

The sand fleas could be gathered easily just sitting in the surf, photographed May 31, 2011.

Today we, who live on the Gulf Coast, can seek out the Genius that has kept these North Carolina beaches so clean, vibrant, and beautiful. Unfortunately these beaches on the Outer Banks are threatened too by the expansion of offshore drilling that is being pushed by corporations and politicians. Fortunately, these beaches still bring exhilarating joy, and no one knows what’s the tide will bring in on a new day. The Okracoke Monster might even be found slithering through the sand at dusk.

The beauty of the Outer Banks beaches may soon be threatened by oil drilling and like all oceans is threatened by plastics and other pollution, photographed May 31, 2011.

This 20-foot long Okracoke monster was photographed on May 31, 2011 just after sundown

Hands Across the Sand Event

Everyone is invited to Hands Across the Sand on Saturday, June 25, 2011 on Dauphin Island at the beach near Fort Gaines. We’ll gather around 11:00 AM and join hands at 12:00 noon to show our support for clean energy. There will also be Hands Across the Sand events in Gulf Shores, Biloxi, Pensacola, and many other locations

The beach at Fort Gaines is located on the eastside of Dauphin Island on Bienville Boulevard. After crossing the bridge, turn left (East) at the water tower onto Bienville Boulevard. Then drive past Fort Gaines to the end of Bienville Boulevard where it curves to the right. Parking is available there. We will have a blue tent on the beach at the end of the parking area. See Google map for aerial view.

Sharing our Interconnected Earth

Leo Denton — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:27:14 +0000

Olympic National Park, photograghed by Paul Symington on October 15, 2005.

We – Earthlings – animals, plants, and more – trillions of us – belonging to millions of species – all contribute to Earth’s incredibly wondrous biosphere. Together we can share and enjoy this planet as our home. As intelligent human beings, we can also share and enjoy the incredible richness of thousands of cultures, religions, philosophies, and spoken languages. Our biological and cultural diversity is an ever-flowing fountain for our humanity.

Yet in the midst of such wonder we are afraid. We find ourselves disconnected, small, caught up in the “rat race,” and when we think deeply, the shortness of our lives weighs upon us. Yet our capabilities are extraordinary. Of course, we easily make mistakes and are in need of continual growth, but the diverse gifts that lie deepest inside of each of us can bring us such joys, life, meaning … In a word, we can LOVE – loving the WHOLE and all individuals.

About five years ago, I had a dream where I ran up to a man who was considered a subversive radical, and I challenged his theories. But he just replied in a friendly manner that “The positive energies of government are far more compelling than the negative.” Realizing that he was not so dangerous, I asked him to be more specific. He replied, “Human cooperation should strive toward being enlightening, empowering, and unifying.”

Perhaps the beauty and resilience of Earth’s diverse, interconnected eco-systems can teach us that it’s time to stop racing – become still – look beyond our perspective – and join hands for the benefit of All.

We’re having a planning meeting for this year’s Dauphin Island Hands Across the Sand. We’ll meet at 5:30, Thursday evening, May 19, at Ryan’s restaurant (4439 Rangeline Rd in Tillman’s Corner). Ryan’s has a meeting room reserved for us. So if you’re interested, please come for our eating meeting (everyone pays for their own meal). Google Map for Ryan’s: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Proof! Warblers Can Read!

Leo Denton — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:06:12 +0000

Swallow-tailed kite, photograph by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A dead warbler who fell in my backyard after flying across the gulf. Photographed April 2, 2011.

Our "clean beaches" "among the finest in the world." Photographed on Little Dauphin Island just a few weeks ago on March 17, 2011. Various facilities including the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in the background.

“Seen anything?” I asked at the Shell Mounds on Dauphin Island (a world class birding area). “No,” the Michigan birder replied, “but last year my brother came here and saw 10 ‘lifetime birds’ in 20 minutes.” “Wow,” I said, “and last year was a down year.” “Then, what would you call this year! Can’t believe my wife and I came 1100 miles for this! Do you expect any ‘fallouts’ soon?” “Not really,” I answered, “we’ve had the storms and cool, strong north winds to produce ‘fallouts’ several times but the birds just aren’t arriving in any numbers at all.”

Everyone I’ve asked says this is “the worse spring in memory.” The warblers, the highlight for many birders, have been the most conspicuous in their absence. Most birders have only seen a few warblers. So where are the birds this spring? One birder from Georgia said, “I just hope they’re still alive.”

During the spring migrations, in good years, like 2009, I see hundreds of colorful warblers of more than 20 species. Even in off years, I see around a hundred warblers of a dozen or so species. This year, after many outings, I’ve seen just one migrating warbler, a hooded warbler (not counting the one that fell dead in my backyard).

Like all years, this spring has had some highlights. My son, Nicholas, saw a swallow-tailed kite. These magnificent birds generally fly up and down the Dauphin Island sand dunes and above the wooded areas of Dauphin Island. Several in my family have also seen some bald eagles near Bay Front Park in Alabama Port. I have also seen some orioles, finches, kingbirds, and vireos. Unfortunately, these have shown up in much fewer numbers and varieties than usual.

On Dauphin Island, even the non-migrants are a fewer in number. Woodpeckers, wrens, thrashers, sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, towhees, and mockingbirds are noticeably fewer.

Somehow, according to experts, the birds, just like the humans, have become alarmed after reading reports from “various media outlets.” After all, according to the experts, it’s “fair to say that the oil is indeed gone.” But somehow, the birds too have failed to close “the gap between the public perception of the oil spill and the reality of where we stand.” And where do the experts say we stand? “The seafood appears to be abundant and is indeed safe to eat while the beaches are among the finest in the world.” So if you happen to see any gullible migrating birds, please pass the word along that all is well in the gulf and the surrounding areas. Also be sure to warn the birds about the “clear and certain danger” of “various media elements” who might cast doubts on the experts who say that there are “no ecological dangers” or “grave concerns” for the public to worry about … only “questions” of “academic interest” (for examples of such expert quotes see http://oil.disl.org/pdf/DHOSPerspective.pdf – for examples of irresponsible media keep reading Umpteen Horizons).

Merry Christmas 2010

Leo Denton — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:56:16 +0000

As oil washes ashore on Dauphin Island, ducks refuse to flee - photographed June 9, 2010

28 years ago, Rosie and I were expecting our first child, Vera. On a mid-December day, not unlike today, I was worried about our child’s future and how Rosie and I might do and make do as parents. A sudden thought crossed my mind: Jesus was born in a stable. It hit me hard – like I had never heard the Christmas story before. Being welcomed by animals, with nowhere else to go, Mary and Joseph wrapped him in rags and laid him in a manger. But the angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Somehow the paradoxes of it all showed me the path of trust and the knowledge of who to trust in.

Today, I think of so many who are suffering, who like Jesus have not been given a place, and yet I am filled with hope that not poverty, oil spills, wars, or anything else can take away the glorious future that is reaching out to the human family.

Reviewing this past year, I can hardly believe its momentousness. I’ve gathered some pictures below to tell something of this extraordinary year (click on pictures to see larger photo).

Vera Marries Ryan
Vera and Ryan were married on January 31, 2010 - Ryan is a wonderful gift to our family.	Vera and Ryan on Dauphin Island beach for Thanksgving 2010. Vera and Ryan are now expecting their first child.
More Family Pictures
Edward is confirmed - Nick is his sponsor Gabriel returning from a summer's work with Earthen Vessels Outreach in Pittsburgh. Nick spent the summer there too. Ryan and Vera are involved with this ministry too. Rosie kept care of all of us, taught yoga, ...	Mignon graduates from Bryant High School and goes to Auburn University Leo and friends representing Poland at the Model United Nation in Mobile Julita (on right) and her cousin Claire playing in the Mississippi Sound
Responding to Oil Catastrophe
Thanks to the clean-up workers who at the risk of their health dealt with much of the hazardous waste - photographed November 13, 2010 Leo, Julita, and Edward invited people to Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island's public beach, photographed June 24, 2010 Many sand crabs became stressed and unable to move well, photographed July 22, 2010. At Future of the Gulf Community Brainstorms, small groups shared experiences, ideas, and plans, photographed July 21, 2010 Mapping project using camera-lifting baloons, photographed November 13, 2010 on Sand Island	Oil soaking edge of tidal pool, photographed July 5, 2010 Sharing positive energy after Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island, photographed June 26, 2010 by Theresa Robinson My brother, Joe, captaining his boat, Mojoe, on one of our many trips to the Katrina Cut beaches An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010 People networked and brought proposals to the Coastal Recovery Commission of Alabama
Loving Nature and Life
Dauphin Island sea grass before the spill took its toll on it The fragileness and beauty of life - Dauphin Island - photographed by Edward Denton We were blessed by many birthday parties Dauphin Island children played soccer throughout the year Gatherings with extended Denton family	Herons making do during the spill - photograph by Edward Denton My very old friend the magnolia tree of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary We were also blessed by dancing friends, birds, plants, and fish Friends gather awaiting the midnight solstice lunar eclipse Gatherings with extended Toomer family

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Proposals for the Coastal Recovery Commission of Alabama

Leo Denton — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:41:25 +0000

Time for your voice to be heard!

Many families in coastal South Alabama depend on a sound coastal environment for their livelihoods. The coastal communities in south Mobile County have been assaulted by the oil catastrophe. Many families are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing oil catastrophe. These proposals provide needed tangible benefits for these communities.

The proposals have emerged from several community brainstorms held in Coden and on Dauphin Island. These proposals are sensitive to community needs and the goals of the Commission. The set of proposals are not meant to be comprehensive but to be included in the comprehensive plan being developed by the Commission.

Ecological Needs

Clean, restore, and enhance gulf and bays
Build and enhance 100 miles of oyster reefs and 1000+ acres of coastal marsh and seagrass – see http://100-1000.org/
Ensure that water, air, and food are safe with ongoing long-term testing – data should be fully and immediately available to the public
Develop comprehensive, fail-safe regulations to prevent future oil catastrophes – prevention is a great deal better than the cure

Coastal Community Participation

Enlist local decision making and employment in coastal recovery efforts
Invest in coastal economic opportunities to support sustainable coastal recovery and enhance Alabama’s coastal areas and waters
Train south Alabama medical professionals to diagnose and treat environmental health conditions potentially related to the oil catastrophe
Immediate public transparency on all issues relating to public health such as the use of dispersants in area waters and the ongoing presence of oil and other health threats in area waters
Listen and learn from coastal communities in order to improve future responses to coastal disasters such as oil spills and hurricanes

Education and Support Initiatives for Oil-Affected Families

Grant full scholarships for children of low-income, oil-affected families to local universities, community colleges, or technical schools
Provide job training and a support system for coastal workers and others who have lost their livelihoods due to the oil catastrophe
Enhance science curriculum at all levels (K through college) to better appreciate Alabama’s coastal environment and to provide appropriate service-learning programs to support the environment (see service-learning resource center at the University of South Alabama http://caslce.usouthal.edu/)

Coastal Fire Protection

Develop a unified, comprehensive plan for coastal fire fighting resources
Several coastal communities need multipurpose fire engines with 75-foot ladders and with storage for water and foam
Fire and rescue response boat powered by twin engines and capable of pumping water from sea
New bunker gear capable of protecting the well-being of the firemen and providing self-contained breathing for firemen
Radio communications for hazardous-materials quick response needs that connect Mobile, Baldwin, and neighboring counties in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida

These proposals will be submitted to the Commission this evening at the Bayou La Batre Community Center. This is a public meeting for the Commission to share its plans and receive input from the public. Meeting starts at 5:30 P.M.

The Rainforest Dream

Leo Denton — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:57:58 +0000

You are walking through a beautiful rainforest. The forest is filled with tropical plants, bright vibrantly colored flowers, and huge magnificent trees. Birds are filling the air with their calls and there is the rushing sound of a nearby river. You are walking with a good friend from a far off land and culture, a special person who embodies the inner goodness that is in all people. Together you are thrilled to be in this tropical paradise. Soon you see a huge tree with a curved trunk. Because of the way it is curved, you and your friend can walk right up the trunk. On the trunk, you walk up to a huge branch as wide as two elephants standing side by side. The branch is quite long and goes out over the river. Excitedly you run across the branch taking in all the beauty of the leaves, flowers, birds, and small animals among the branches. Pausing you look below and see the river, a gorgeous, sparkling-clear, large river. You’re about 50 feet above the river, and the river is about 40 feet deep, but it’s so clear you can see its white sandy bottom. You and your friend are taken by the sight and without talking you know just what to do. You jump and when you jump, you and your friend turn into eagles, beating your wings vigorously as you soar straight up above the forest and into the beautiful blue sky. Still together flying high above the immense green forest, you fold your wings and let yourselves fall rapidly though the forest and toward the river. Crashing into the river, you regain your human forms and in a curved motion go deep into the water and turning with tremendous momentum pop up to surface. Thrilled and smiling at one another, you and your friend tread water and begin to notice that the rushing waters of the river have ceased to be rushing. The waters are now gently swirling around you. Looking around in wonder, you feel something mysterious coming. You sense its friendship with the whole rainforest. Without sound, color, or anything else perceptible, but with unmistakable power, a deep message begins to reverberate within the forest: “For a reward this great, you have to work hard! For a reward this great, you have to work hard! For a reward this great, you have to work hard! …” The message impacts you deeply and wakes you from your sleep.

This dream from 1997 still fills me joy. Now it’s your dream too. All is gift but our hard work is needed too. Our communion with the Friend of All requires communion with nature too.

Here are two videos about different kinds of rain forests.

Citizen Rain Water Tests in Louisiana Show Unsafe Levels of Toxins

Leo Denton — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:29:34 +0000

Many people, including Kindra Arnesen and the Coastal Heritage Society of Louisiana, are doing great work in Louisiana. The video below with Kindra speaking from the August 5, 2010 Buras Town Hall Meeting about the gulf oil catastrophe is powerful and informative. The video includes the importance of bio-remediation as well as the serious problems with toxins in the environment including the rainwater. The level of denial shown by the official (see the 9:15 point of the video onward) who Kindra speaks with is also illustrative of what many face when trying to realize common sense care for the gulf.

The Golden Rule Applied to all Living Beings

Leo Denton — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:43:16 +0000

"Everyone needs a home," grunts a turtle swimming in Gaillard Lake in the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, photographed July 27, 2010.

“The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, speaks to me. And my heart soars.” - Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Photograph of Gaillard Lake in the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, photographed July 27, 2010.

Across the centuries, “Treat others as you would like to be treated” has been a guiding principle espoused by Buddhists, Christians, Confucianists, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, philosophers, Sikhs, Taoists, … and many others.

A sometimes tempting alternative is “Do unto others before they do unto you.” That is, “Waste your enemies before they waste you.” We also waste our enemies to “get even,” “an eye for an eye.”

Whenever we waste an enemy, we get 10 more new enemies, and the cycle of wasting one another escalates. After so many eyes have been plucked out, do we even realize how blind we are?

Wasting the Earth, sadly, is commonplace too. How much of the beauty of the Earth has disappeared over the last several hundred years?

To regain our sight, we need to be cleansed with a fresh and profound appreciation for the needs, gifts, and beauty of each person. Likewise we need to profoundly appreciate the Earth and all its creatures, their needs, gifts, and beauty; and as much as we are able we need to treat them as we would treat our own selves, our own family, and our own home. For we are part of the Earth, the creatures of the Earth are our brothers and sisters, and the Earth is the only home that we and our children have. To thrive as human beings now and into the future, the whole Earth must thrive, and with all our strength we must see that no part of the Earth is wasted so that all creatures will have a lasting, nurturing, and beautiful home.

Nobody Knows But Everyone Can Act

Leo Denton — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:41:54 +0000

Small groups focused on specific topics and discussed experiences, ideas, and actions at the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010

With the tropics heating up and the approach of Tropical Storm Bonnie, various differences between the landfall of a hurricane and the waterfall of an oil spill come to mind. One major difference is our wealth of understanding about hurricane impact and damage as compared to our lack of understanding about this oil spill. How long will the effects of the oil remain in the gulf water? Nobody knows. How will the eco-system be changed as a result of the oil eruption? Nobody knows. With so many fishing areas closed now, is the toxicity of the gulf food chain going to get worse or better over the course of years? Nobody knows. What will become of the dispersants as they are released in the atmosphere, surface water, and deep water? Nobody knows. How long will tourism be affected? Nobody knows. How will the reputation of gulf seafood be affected over the long term? Nobody knows. What will be long-term physical and psychological effects on the people who live in coastal areas? Nobody knows.

With so many unknowns, some signs are definitely unsettling. Yesterday, I saw an oiled osprey feather on the beach, there were miles of somewhat sparse oil floating in the Mississippi Sound, and much of the beaches of Katrina Key (Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut) have still not been cleaned up after three weeks. The wildlife is definitely stressed and there are far fewer shore birds on the Island. Today, I saw three freshly killed sea gulls within a mile of the Dauphin Island bridge and in the early morning I could smell a diesel-like smell (probably from dispersants) in the air all over Dauphin Island.

On the hopeful side of all this, many people are keeping informed, sharing ideas, and doing things to make a difference. Ask yourself, what are my action items? Think things out with friends. Network. Pray. Make a list. Ask yourself, what do I need to look up or investigate? What can I do to build up my community or protect the environment? What can I do today? Each person’s actions can make a difference.

A sand crab near Katrina Cut too stressed to flee upon my approach, photographed July 22, 2010.

Joe Denton examines oil not cleaned from Dauphin Island for three weeks, photographed July 22, 2010

An oiled osprey feather along the beach near Katrina Cut on Dauphin Island, photographed July 22, 2010

Surface oil in the Mississippi Sound north of the west end of Dauphin Island, photographed July 22, 2010

More oil not cleaned up for three weeks on Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut, photographed July 22, 2010.

An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010