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  • Mini-Retreat: Relax Into Nature in Real-Time
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Mini-Retreat: Relax Into Nature in Real-Time

  • Amy A.
  • Tuesday, July 06, 2021
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Need to release your brain from its milelong list of to-dos and responsibilities? Grant yourself a 3 minute micro-retreat exploring the beautiful natural world through explore.org.

Have you ever watched how a nesting puffin tends to her egg? I didn’t know it until it happened but watching a puffin tending to her egg in her nest might be on my bucket list and I might have just checked that one off! It was definitely a lovely and special thing to behold.

Puffin in her nest using her beak to gently adjust her egg.
Mama Puffin using her beak to gently adjust her egg. courtesy of explore.org

No, I have not been on a special expedition to Seal Island in Maine. I simply pulled up explore.org and did some exploring.

I digitally wandered around a bit, peaking at a beach in Hawaii in its real-time sunrise, horses in Kentucky in the morning mist, grizzly bears fishing in a river (somewhere comfortably far off) and landed at the webcam of the Puffin Burrow on Seal Island, Maine..

Puffin sitting on her next protected by rock walls.
Mama Puffin in her nest on Seal Island in Maine. courtesy of explore.org

I think my heart beat might have actually slowed down a bit watching that puffin, and definitely some neck muscles released. Perhaps this is another avenue towards those quiet moments watching something peaceful and calming. Moments like getting lost looking into a fish tank, staring at a campfire, or gazing out across a vast vista from a mountain top. Sigh.

So. What will be your favorite webcam category on explore.org? The bears? Kitten Rescue? The Zen Scapes? The Puffins (found in Birds)?

Webcam categories row of 4 images.
Webcam categories row of images
Explore.org is a live cam nature viewing platform for nature webcams across the world offering the ultimate in relaxing and calming Micro-Retreats. If you want to dive a little deeper, have a look at the other offerings in the menu. Explore.org does not stop at live cams. 

More about Explore.org from the website.
It is the online portal for
explore, a community destination where people share thoughts, engage in dialogue, view and email films and photographs, and embed their favorites on blogs and social networking sites.

The multimedia organization,
explore documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. Both educational and inspirational, explore creates a portal into the soul of humanity by championing the selfless acts of others.

In the mood to pursue your thoughts on nature? Have a browse through the below. Perhaps you'll find another mini-retreat.
 
Maine Nature Virtual Walk. A One-hour Virtual Walk in the Forest and Along the Coast of Maine.

Maine Nature Virtual Walk. A One-hour Virtual Walk in the Forest and Along the Coast of Maine.

Published in 2012
Take a 60 minute virtual walk on your treadmill or Nordic Track and experience Maine's beautiful scenery, varied topography, vegetation, and breathtaking views in this one hour treadmill scenery video. Filmed in scenic Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island, you'll follow a scenic path beside a forest stream and then walk along the rocky seashore while listening to the actual sounds of nature as they were recorded on site in Stereo in Maine. Filmed in Widescreen.
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Streaming Video
The Shark and the Albatross

The Shark and the Albatross

A Wildlife Filmmaker Reveals Why Nature Matters to Us All.
Aitchison, John (Cinematographer), author.
Published in 2016
For twenty years John Aitchison has been traveling the world to film wildlife for a variety of international TV shows, taking him to far-away places on every continent. The Shark and the Albatross is the story of these journeys of discovery, of his encounters with animals and occasional enterprising individuals in remote and sometimes dangerous places. His destinations include the far north and the far south, from Svalbard, Alaska, the remote Atlantic island of South Georgia, and the Antarctic, to the wild places of India, China, and the United States. In all he finds and describes key moments in the lives of animals, among them polar bears and penguins, seals and whales, sharks and birds, and wolves and lynxes. John Aitchison reveals what happens behind the scenes and beyond the camera. He explains the practicalities and challenges of the filming process, and the problems of survival in perilous places. He records touching moments and dramatic incidents, some ending in success, others desperately sad. There are times when a hunted animal triumphs against the odds, and others when, in spite of preparation for every outcome, disaster strikes. And, as the author shows in several incidents that combine nail-biting tension with hair-raising hilarity, disaster can strike for film-makers too.
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Ebook
Pure Sleep

Pure Sleep

Music and Nature Sounds for Peaceful Dreams
Arkenstone, David.
Published in 2021
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Streaming Music
Remain Calm with Nature Music

Remain Calm with Nature Music

Arkenstone, David.
Published in 2021
Find
Streaming Music
Let's Walk in the Woods

Let's Walk in the Woods

Benjamin, Tina.
Published in 2016
"A walk through the forest or a park is a great opportunity to take in some of nature's beauty. Whether bird watching or squirrel watching, there are plenty of animals and amazing tall trees to explore. Through simple text and supporting photographs, readers will learn it's important to follow the trail and not get lost while they seek out adventure at every turn. From spotting owls to finding, there's always something to discover in the woods"--Provided by the publisher.
Find
Book
 
This Phenomenal Life

This Phenomenal Life

The Amazing Ways We Are Connected with Our Universe
Blaise, Misha Maynerick, 1977- author.
Published in 2017
This Phenomenal Life tells the story of the wondrous ways that humans are always completely at one with our surrounding world. From the vast galaxies above to the miniature microbes within, humans are organically connected to the complex cycles and mysterious processes of our universe. Every single atom of our body is made of remnants of stars and massive explosions in the galaxies, and we share the same biochemical basis of life with all living beings on earth, from a single-celled amoeba to a giant blue whale. Whimsically hip illustrations elucidate wild science-based facts, from the unexpected intimacy we have with fungi on a daily basis, to the similar ways that humans and birds learn to communicate. Powerful evidence of our interconnection with nature combined with beautiful artwork will inspire the reader to look at the world in a whole new way.--AMAZON.
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Book
 
Sounds of Nature

Sounds of Nature

Collective, Calm.
Published in 2019
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Streaming Music
Islands of Abandonment

Islands of Abandonment

Flyn, Cal
Published in 2021
A beautiful, lyrical exploration of the places where nature is flourishing in our absence Some of the only truly feral cattle in the world wander a long-abandoned island off the northernmost tip of Scotland. A variety of wildlife not seen in many lifetimes has rebounded on the irradiated grounds of Chernobyl. A lush forest supports thousands of species that are extinct or endangered everywhere else on earth in the Korean peninsula's narrow DMZ. Cal Flyn, an investigative journalist, exceptional nature writer, and promising new literary voice visits the eeriest and most desolate places on Earth that due to war, disaster, disease, or economic decay, have been abandoned by humans. What she finds every time is an "island" of teeming new life: nature has rushed in to fill the void faster and more thoroughly than even the most hopeful projections of scientists. Islands of Abandonment is a tour through these new ecosystems, in all their glory, as sites of unexpected environmental significance, where the natural world has reasserted its wild power and promise. And while it doesn't let us off the hook for addressing environmental degradation and climate change, it is a case that hope is far from lost, and it is ultimately a story of redemption: the most polluted spots on Earth can be rehabilitated through ecological processes and, in fact, they already are.
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Ebook
Islands of Abandonment

Islands of Abandonment

Nature Rebounding in the Post-human Landscape
Flyn, Cal, author.
Published in 2021
"As if Annie Dillard walked into THE WORLD WITHOUT US: a beautiful, lyrical exploration of the places where nature is flourishing in our absence Some of the only truly feral cattle in the world wander a long-abandoned island off the northernmost tip of Scotland. A variety of wildlife not seen in many lifetimes has rebounded on the irradiated grounds of Chernobyl. A lush forest supports thousands of species that are extinct or endangered everywhere else on earth in the Korean peninsula's narrow DMZ. Cal Flyn, an investigative journalist, exceptional nature writer, and promising new literary voice visits the eeriest and most desolate places on Earth that due to war, disaster, disease, or economic decay, have been abandoned by humans. What she finds every time is an "island" of teeming new life: nature has rushed in to fill the void faster and more thoroughly than even the most hopeful projections of scientists. ISLANDS OF ABANDONMENT is a tour through these new ecosystems, in all their glory, as sites of unexpected environmental significance, where the natural world has reasserted its wild power and promise. And while it doesn't let us off the hook for addressing environmental degradation and climate change, it's a case that hope is far from lost, and is ultimately a story of redemption. The most polluted spots on Earth can be rehabilitated through ecological processes, and in fact they already are"-- Provided by publisher.
Hold
Book
 
The Forest Unseen

The Forest Unseen

A Year's Watch in Nature
Haskell, David George.
Published in 2013
Reveals what can be understood about the natural world through the author's year-long observation of a one-square-meter patch of old-growth Tennessee forest, explaining the scientific ties binding all life and how the ecosystem has cycled for millions of years.
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Book
 
Tangle-Inspired Botanicals

Tangle-Inspired Botanicals

Exploring the Natural World Through Mindful, Expressive Drawing.
Hicks, Sharla R.
Published in 2017
Get tangled up in the serenity of the natural world. It's easy to see why interest in tangle drawing continues to grow. With a focus on simple mark making as well as drawing with the intention to relax and be creative, tangle drawing is a powerful tool for people looking to tap into their inner artist. This book guides readers in exploring and developing their own style of tangle-inspired botanicals, land and seascapes, lush foliage, and mixed media color enhancers. Artist Sharla Hicks uses nature photographs and monoprints embossed with flowers, leaves, and grasses for her inspiration. Tangle-Inspired Botanicals includes more than 200 illustrations, including many finished artworks, along with written instruction.
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Ebook
The Eye of the Sandpiper

The Eye of the Sandpiper

Stories from the Living World
Keim, Brandon, 1976- author.
Published in 2017
In The Eye of the Sandpiper, Brandon Keim pairs cutting-edge science with a deep love of nature, conveying his insights in prose that is both accessible and beautiful. In an elegant, thoughtful tour of nature in the twenty-first century, Keim continues in the tradition of Lewis Thomas, Stephen Jay Gould, and David Quammen, reporting from the frontiers of science while celebrating the natural world's wonders and posing new questions about our relationship to the rest of life on Earth.
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Book
 
Creekfinding

Creekfinding

A True Story
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs, author.
Published in 2017
"Once upon a time a creek burbled up and tumbled across a prairie valley. It was filled with insects and brook trout that ate them, frogs that chirruped and birds watching for bugs and fish. This is a true story about a man named Mike who went looking for that creek long after it was buried under fields of corn. It is the story of how a creek can be brought back to life, and with it a whole world of nature. In the words of award-winning author Jacqueline Briggs Martin and the enchanting illustrations by Claudia McGehee, this heartening tale of an ecosystem restored in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa unfolds in a way that will charm and inform young readers who are drawn to a good mystery, the wonders of nature--and, of course, big earth-moving machines"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
The Best in Tent Camping

The Best in Tent Camping

A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos
Molloy, Johnny, 1961-
Published in 2007
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts millions of people per year. The allure of the Smokies often overshadows special areas adjacent to the park. This book covers not only the Smokies, but also the highlands of eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northern Georgia, and western South Carolina. The only guide to the Smokies and Southern Appalachian's best tent camping features newly designed campground layout maps and UTM and latitude/longitude coordinates for each campground entrance. Descriptive text and ratings for security, quiet, and beauty make this new edition a must-have for every tent camper's library.
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Ebook
Coastal Trails of the Carolinas

Coastal Trails of the Carolinas

Molloy, Johnny, 1961- author.
Published in 2020
"With hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches and barrier islands, the coastline of North and South Carolina is one of the most treasured shorelines in the country. Written by veteran guidebook author Johnny Molloy, Coastal Trails of the Carolinas will offer everything hikers need to explore this treasured shoreline"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Rewilding

Rewilding

Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature.
Mortali, Micah, author.
Published in 2019
A unique guide to personal rewilding through mindfulness, yoga, and outdoor skills. At your core lies a wild, untamed soul-one with impeccable intuition, the ability to navigate the landscapes of your inner and outer worlds, and an unbreakable connection to Source. In Rewilding, Kripalu director Micah Mortali combines elements from the yoga and Buddhist traditions with ancestral skills to create a unique guide for reconnecting with your primal energy-your undomesticated inner self-and awakening your innate bond with the natural world. First used by conservation groups to refer to restoring natural environments, "rewilding" has important implications for human well-being. When we awaken our wild selves, we learn to listen to our bodies and often see our health improve. We trust our instincts and better manage our time, energy, and relationships. We cultivate the confidence to act on our heart's deepest callings. And we gain an understanding of our place in the world, learning to see ourselves as both children and caretakers of the Earth. Mortali's Rewilding offers nature-based meditations, mindfulness practices, yoga flows, and outdoor skills such as tracking and fire-building to help you develop a sense of calm, clarity, connection, and confidence in both your daily life and the great outdoors.
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Ebook
Greatest Landscapes

Greatest Landscapes

Stunning Photographs That Inspire and Astonish
National Geographic Society (U.S.)
Published in 2016
From one majestic nature landscape to the next, this is an iconic collection of National Geographic&#x;s photography of the world&#x;s most beautiful locations that will immortalize the beauty of the great outdoors, showcasing evocative, and often unseen, images of extraordinary landscapes around the world. With vast deserts in twilight, snowcapped mountain ranges at the brink of dawn, a forest in the height of autumn colors, these indelible images will magnify the beauty, emotion, and depth that can be captured in the split second of a camera flash, taking readers on a spectacular visual journey and offering an elegant conduit to the world around them. Paired with illuminating insights from celebrated photographers, this beautiful book weaves a vibrant tapestry of images that readers will turn to again and again. --Publisher
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Book
 
Animal Internet

Animal Internet

Nature and the Digital Revolution.
Pschera, Alexander, author.
Published in 2016
Some fifty thousand creatures around the globe-including whales, leopards, flamingoes, bats, and snails-are being equipped with digital tracking devices. The data gathered and studied by major scientific institutes about their behavior will warn us about tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, but also radically transform our relationship to the natural world. With a broad cultural and historical perspective, this book examines human ties with animals, from domestic pets to the soaring popularity of bird watching and kitten images on the web. Will millennia of exploration soon be reduced to experiencing wilderness via smartphone? Contrary to pessimistic fears, author Alexander Pschera sees the Internet as creating a historic opportunity for a new dialogue between man and nature.
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Ebook
Thunder, Rain & Nature Sounds

Thunder, Rain & Nature Sounds

Sounds Of Nature (Musical Group)
Published in 2017
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Streaming Music
Relaxing Nature Sounds

Relaxing Nature Sounds

Sounds, Rain.
Published in 2019
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Streaming Music
Realizing the Power of Now

Realizing the Power of Now

An In-depth Retreat with Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle, Eckhart, 1948-
Published in 2008
Perhaps you can recall a time when you felt more alive than at any other moment-when you had a sudden recognition of beauty, a feeling of deep contentment, and a sense of connection with life greater than you had ever thought possible. And then, this fleeting moment was gone. What if you could recapture that remarkable opening, and make it a consistent way of living in the worldly. Course objectives: Practice using your inner body as an anchor to the "Now"-realizing the gift of full attention, and cultivating moments of pure awareness through the simple act of noticing. Discuss the authentic grace, original innocence, the liberation of laughter, and nature as a bridge to the divine-available to us all. Define "awakening", discover how to dissolve your pain-body with the light of consciousness and why creativity and healing can come only from presence. Explain why "the teacher" is always within you and how to enter the "Now" through the portal called "allow." Describe how to find peace that underlies loss. Summarize how to catch your reactive thoughts before they catch you, and how to expand the space between your thoughts for a deeper experience of the "Now." Throughout Europe and North America, a man named Eckhart Tolle has emerged as a teacher with the unique ability to draw us into the awakened state he calls presence. With Realizing the Power of Now: An In-Depth Retreat with Eckhart Tolle, you have an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the timeless dimension-a place within us that always is and ever will be beyond the turmoil of life, a world of calm beyond words, of joy that has no opposite. Return to Presence Again and Again: A walk in nature. A personal crisis. A moment of laughter. These can all serve as portals that take us to the depth and wonder of the Now. But how do we access these portals so that we dwell in presence more and more often? With Tolle's guidance, you will discover many simple ways to leave behind the chaos and suffering of the mind-made world, and enter this state of serenity and grace. On Realizing the Power of Now, Eckhart will show you how to go beyond the endless stream of thoughts, and simply allow whatever is happening to occur; how to use sense perceptions and your inner body to find a peace that exists independent of conditions; and how to see past the "little me" and my story, and find your home in the living Now. An Extended Retreat with Eckhart Tolle. Since the spiritual transformation that changed his life more than 20 years ago, Eckhart Tolle has replaced the park bench where he gave his first lessons with a chair and microphone, and now helps countless men and women from all walks of life to perceive what it really means to be alive. Recorded at a momentous five-day retreat led by Eckhart Tolle, here is a special invitation to transcend the finite world of fluctuating thoughts, ambitions, and fears, and touch your true essence: that which has no form, no time, and no name. Spoken simply, with his hallmark warmth, humor, and compassion, here is Eckhart's full presentation of a beautiful way to live that arises through Realizing the Power of Now. Realizing the Power of Now highlights: - Using your inner body as an anchor to the Now. - The gift of full attention. - Cultivating moments of pure awareness. - The power in the simple act of noticing. - Authentic grace and the original innocence we all possess. - The liberation of laughter. - How to expand the space between your thoughts for a deeper experience of the Now. - Nature as a bridge to the divine. - Why the teacher is always within you. - Reactive thoughts how to catch them before they catch you. - Definition of awakening. - Entering the Now through the portal called "allow". - Why creativity and healing can come only from presence. - Dissolving your pain-body with the light of consciousness. - How to find the peace that underlies loss. - Separating your life situation from your li
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Eaudiobook
Camping South Carolina

Camping South Carolina

A Comprehensive Guide to Public Tent and RV Campgrounds
Watson, Melissa.
Published in 2014
"Camping South Carolina provides useful information about public campgrounds in the state of South Carolina"-- Provided by publisher.
Hold
Ebook
 
Camping South Carolina

Camping South Carolina

A Comprehensive Guide to Public Tent and RV Campgrounds
Watson, Melissa.
Published in 2014
"Camping South Carolina provides useful information about public campgrounds in the state of South Carolina"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
What the Robin Knows

What the Robin Knows

How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World
Young, Jon, 1960-
Published in 2012
Shares strategies for expanding one's awareness of bird communication and maintaining a non-threatening presence in natural environments, explaining the sounds and behaviors that reflect various bird warnings, feelings, and messages.
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Book
 
The Bluebird Effect

The Bluebird Effect

Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds
Zickefoose, Julie.
Published in 2012
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Ebook
The Bluebird Effect

The Bluebird Effect

Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds
Zickefoose, Julie.
Published in 2012
A wild bird rehabilitator and nature artist describes her painstaking efforts to rescue injured birds and her experiences when those birds come back to visit, looking at the personality and quirks of individual birds of different species.
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Book
 
Author

Amy A.

Branch Librarian

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