Bob Haase’s Another Can Of Worms

Take A Closer Look

My wife and I recently spent the week at our cottage in northern Wisconsin.  We had both hoped to be there a couple weeks before with all the fall colors at its peak, but conflicts prevented us from being there at that time.  I have enjoyed outdoor and wildlife photography all my life and always look forward to taking pictures of the fall colors.

Even though most of the color was gone, I decided to take a walk through our land looking for things to photograph.  As I looked closer I found all kinds of things to photograph that most people would have just walked past and not even seen.  That is one of the great things about photography is that it helps you see things that others do not. 

Some people can look at the floor of a forest and find dying vegetation and a few colorful leaves beautiful enough to take a picture while others will just walk on by and not even notice what is right in front of them.  Maybe it is because life goes too fast and we don’t take the time to see.  Maybe it is because we don’t know where or how to look for it.  I think life is the same way.  As we go through life it seems we are in such a hurry that we often overlook the important things in life.

I think I see things differently because my parents and grandparents took the time to help me see things that others didn’t.  My father and grandfather took the time to take me hunting and fishing and taught me about the outdoors.  Because of this I developed an appreciation for nature and our environment.  Maybe that is why I get concerned when we have legislators changing our laws to reduce environmental standards that protect our land and waters.  Laws that reduce protection for our land and water will ultimately affect everyone, not just sports men and women.  The difference is that most people that hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors are more aware of the importance of protecting our natural resources.  

As parents and grandparents we need to take the time to take our children and grandchildren hunting and fishing.  We need to introduce them to nature so that when they grow up they can understand the importance of protecting our natural resources.  If you don’t hunt, consider hunting with a camera and involve your kids in what you are photographing.  You might want to let them use an inexpensive point and shoot digital camera to record what they see.  Help them learn to identify the different kinds of birds and animals as well as the trees and plant life.  These are all good family activities. 

When was the last time you spent time outdoors hunting, fishing, or just walking in the woods?  When is the last time you slowed down enough to take a closer look and see what is important in your life.  Get outdoors and discover what you are missing.

Bob Haase is the host of “Outdoors Thursday” heard Thursday mornings at 9:10 a.m. on News-Talk 1450 KFIZ.