Natural Nipomo: Going Farther

I went bicycle riding one recent foggy morning to a favorite spot along the Nipomo Creek. This morning was different, however. I went farther than I usually do.

It doesn't take much effort to go farther, only some curiosity and time. As I traversed the creek bed, stopping to pick some of the few remaining wild blackberries along the way, I spotted a bend I had never explored before. Ever the adventurer (or so I fancy myself), I decided to walk on.

Max Tucker discovered this dune-dwelling insect near Black Lake. Many other natural wonders are just waiting to be uncovered.

And what a fine decision that was. I hadn't walked very far when I came upon a secluded oak grove. I took a quick liking to the this place, away from most of the bustling sounds of mid-morning Nipomo traffic.

One tree in particular caught my interest. This tree had trunk sweeping back away from the creek, its branches curving in an upward dance towards sunlight. The patchwork of spiny leaves permitted precious few rays of light to pass through. Some of the heftier branches touched the ground before once again turning skyward, seemingly supporting the sidelong growth of the tree.

This sidelong growth provided ample horizontal sitting space along the tree's massive trunk. I hopped onto a lichen-covered branch, leaving my helmet to hang from a smaller branch. I sat there for sometime, listening to the merry chirping of birds, admiring the wild ground cover and the willows which line the creek. The sky above was a milky white, still shrouded by a layer of fog.

As I continue to learn whenever I revisit a favorite natural place, there is always something new to discover. The dunes are another fine example.

The places in the dunes untouched by vehicles have many natural wonders to share, from the countless little footsteps left on the cold morning sand to the many scattered oases of trees and shrubs to the insects which burrow underfoot.

The examples continue. No one yet knows what species fish inhabit Black Lake—a veritable scientific adventure waiting to be undertaken. Few take the time to observe the birds in the Nipomo Native Garden, or to uncover a piece of Nipomo's ancient history at the Dana Adobe.

After sitting in my new favorite oak tree by the creek for some time, soaking in the beauty, I trekked on. My footsteps seemed foreign in this natural place, a cacophonous crunching of dry leaves quite out of tune with the melodious birdsong.

I came to a spot where water filled the creek bed from bank to bank. It appeared as if it were flowing directly into the roots of the plants along the banks. I wondered what this place would look like when the next winter floods came.

Raw nature has the power to grab a hold of your heart and slow its beat. It commands respect. It stays with the transient visitor, silently beckoning a return visit.

When you feel nature's pull, don't hesitate to give in. You may be surprised by the wonders you discover.