Appreciating Nature More with Age

Have you noticed that we start appreciating nature more with age?

My writing desk sits by a set of windows that overlook the yard, and I’ll admit, the wildlife is wonderfully distracting.

At this age, that’s okay. Deadlines can wait when a rabbit is nibbling clover three feet from the window.

Along with the rabbits, we have squirrels, possums (who I’ve decided are so ugly, they’re cute), birds of every variety, lizards that dart along the fence like tiny prehistoric performers, and, startlingly, even a coyote that somehow got stuck in our yard.

The wildlife provides endless entertainment and a constant reminder that life is humming all around us.

All of it fills me with joy. But this spring, we received an extra blessing.

Two Pearls in a Walnut Shell

A few weeks ago, my husband stumbled upon a tiny miracle tucked into one of our trees.

He saw a hummingbird suddenly dart out, hovering for a moment before zipping away. Curious, he leaned in closer.

Then he spotted it. A nest no larger than two inches across, delicately woven and balanced on a slender branch. Inside were two eggs, about the size of large jelly beans.

Oh, the delight!

I immediately began researching and learned that hummingbird eggs hatch in only 14 to 18 days. From that moment on, we became watchful guardians, careful not to disturb the nest, but quietly checking it, waiting for tiny wings to enter the world.

We were rewarded when one of the eggs hatched. The next day, the other egg followed suit. Newborn hummingbirds are… well… let’s just say they don’t arrive looking like the dazzling little jewels we’re used to seeing at the feeder. The tiny creatures are blind and featherless.

But there’s something deeply moving about them. They are pure potential. All that brilliance – the iridescent throat, the dazzling aerial acrobatics, the humming blur of wings – is tucked inside those tiny bodies. So, while they may not be beautiful at first glance, they are a quiet miracle in progress.

At first, they spent most of their time simply lying low in the nest, orange beaks tipped upward, waiting for their mother to return.

But during the next several days, as we watched, they became more active, feathers appeared, beaks elongated, eyes opened, and time slowed. (At the end of this post, you’ll find a series of photos capturing their growth.) Stress and trivial worries faded, replaced by pure awe at these small feathered wonders.

Why We Start Appreciating Nature More with Age

That got me thinking: somehow, as we age, we seem to begin noticing and appreciating nature more.  Why is that?

When I was younger, I’d stroll past a bird’s nest without a second thought, rushing to the next obligation. Now, I pause. I observe. I savor. That hummingbird nest reminded me that the world still holds magic, and that pausing to notice it is one of life’s simplest pleasures.

So what is it about getting older that opens our eyes to the small, fleeting wonders around us?

Perhaps it’s the slower pace of life, or the hard-earned awareness that time is precious. We begin to treasure moments instead of racing past them. A blooming flower, the call of a bird, or the gentle sway of trees in the breeze. These small, everyday miracles feel richer and more meaningful than they did in our youth.

Benefits of Nature

Appreciating nature more as we age benefits us in so many ways.

If you’re a spiritual person like me, the outside world reminds us that God lovingly created nature – with an exquisite attention to detail, artistic creativity, and a sense of humor – for our enjoyment. This inspires gratefulness and draws us closer to our Creator. Nature reminds us that we are not in charge of the miracles. We are simply invited to witness them.

Moreover, the natural world is good for our physical and mental health. The beauty around us can calm our breathing, soften our hearts, and give us peace when the world feels loud. And sometimes, it blesses us with a much-needed laugh as we delight in the playful antics of animals.

In fact, studies show that spending time in nature can:

• Reduce stress and lower blood pressure

• Improve mood and help fight anxiety or depression

• Boost creativity and mental clarity

• Support physical health by encouraging gentle exercise like walking or gardening

Simply put, connecting with nature nourishes both mind and body.

How to Make Nature a Bigger Part of Your Life

How can you start appreciating nature more? Even if you live in a city or don’t have a yard full of trees, there are ways to enjoy nature more:

• Start your morning outside. Take your coffee onto the porch, patio, or front steps and simply sit for five quiet minutes.
• Open the windows. Let in fresh air, birdsong, and the subtle reminders that the world is alive outside your windows.
• Plant something. A garden, a pot of herbs, a few wildflowers, or even one cheerful geranium can shift your whole mood.
• Take a hike or daily walk in a park, along a river, or around your neighborhood.
• Photograph small details. Zoom in on textures – bark, petals, ripples – and you’ll start seeing beauty everywhere.
• Start birdwatching. You don’t need expensive binoculars. Just look up and notice the shapes, colors, and behaviors. Learn names of local birds. Add a bird feeder or birdbath.
• Take a barefoot moment. Stand in the grass for a few minutes. It sounds simple, but it reconnects you instantly.
• Bring nature indoors with plants or flowers. A window box or potted plant can be surprisingly therapeutic.
• Practice mindfulness outside. Sit quietly, breathe, and notice textures, sounds, and scents.
• Document your observations. Keep a nature journal or take photos and, like our hummingbird encounter, you’ll start to notice moments you’d otherwise miss.

Small Moments, Big Joy

Watching those two baby hummingbirds reminded me that nature is a gentle gift. Always there, often overlooked, and endlessly generous.

It’s free therapy, a source of wonder, and a reminder that life doesn’t have to be hurried to be meaningful.

Perhaps that’s one of the sweetest gifts of growing older. We finally slow down enough to notice. And I’m grateful I’m at an age where I finally pause long enough to see it.