Good Natured: Nature's beauty is undeniable, but have you ever ...

I was driving the other day under a dreary gray cloud deck that looked as though it was painted over the entirety of the sky. There was so little detail that Sherwin-Williams would have probably named the color Plain Gray ... or maybe Lingering Relative Gray since it had persisted well beyond its welcome, and it showed no sign of leaving. And then, to the northwest, a crack formed, but only for a moment. Yet, as it opened like a sleepy eye, it revealed a sliver of the prettiest blue sky I have ever seen. It gave me an instant warm smile that reminded me that nature is filled with beauty. And although the blue was engulfed as soon as it appeared, it gave me satisfaction in the moment, and confident hope for the future, a future that with the right portion of awareness will be filled with more stunning and inspirational beauty … natural beauty. There are as many beautiful experiences in nature as there are people. And what stirs you might be different than what stirs me, but here is my list -- quick and incomplete -- of some of the most beautiful things I have found in nature. Have you ever … Seen a waterfall flowing swift and frothy and dropping perilously? While most of its water takes the plunge, some wisps into a spray that not only dampens the air, but captures and refracts sunlight into its own personal rainbow? Realized that the first green of spring grass is unique and fleeting, never to been seen again during the whole of the growing season? Witnessed a sunset that paints its pastel farewell all the way to the eastern horizon? Have you ever seen the setting sun's real but elusive green flash? Encountered the scent of lilac blooms on a warm spring walk? Or the "bubblegum" fragrance of a single sweetbay magnolia flower? Watched the staccato iridescence of the male hummingbird's throat feathers and wondered how they turn on and off so quickly? And so brilliantly? Gazed into the haunting yellow of a great horned owl's eyes? Have you ever viewed them from the side to see the perfectly clear sphere in which they reside? Observed the absolute joy of a young fawn playing with its sibling(s)? Have you ever wanted to join in? Had the chance to examine the image of the surface of the first quarter moon through a decent telescope? Have you ever seen the rings of Saturn? Or the moons of Jupiter? Been bedazzled by the diamond glistening of fresh "powder" snow on a bitter cold winter's morning? Listened to the fading crescendo as robins, and then cardinals, sing farewell to an early summer evening? Have you ever heard the whip-poor-wills take over and start the evening concerto? Observed the expression of a child who just discovered something new about the natural world? Have you ever heard their associated vocalization … one that only an excited child can make? Have you felt its contagious epiphany? Viewed a post-storm, double rainbow that glows brighter, more intensely and more comprehensively than any fictional pot of gold could ever dream of? Have you ever noticed how the two rainbows display the opposite order of colors? Have you ever noticed how the sky between is significantly darker? Marveled at a late-summer orb weaver spiderweb symmetrically speckled with fresh dew? Have you ever noticed that when backlit by the first rays of the morning sun that the temptation to take its picture is overwhelming? Have you ever noticed how said picture fails to completely capture its magnificence? Come upon a newly emerged butterfly or moth? Have you ever watched a late-summer monarch unfold its wings for the first time and pondered the improbability of how those same wings can propel this tiny animal some 3,000 miles to a high-elevation valley of oyamel fir trees in Mexico? Have you ever struggled with the over-whelming impossibilities, and irrefutable truths, that is the phenomenon of migration? Paused to watch the purposely haphazard flight of a bat against a fading summer sky? Have you ever tried to come to terms with the fact that the vast majority of this animal's movements are guided by echo-location? Hugged a really giant tree? And felt small, and perhaps young, in its company? Wondered at how the simple one-note voice of the first spring peeper declares that winter is over, and the rebirth of spring has begun? Felt how the cool touch of a slow, but steady, ocean breeze can temper a scorching hot summer's day? Additionally felt the feeling of how cool, soft white sand envelopes your feet as you walk, and brings measurable comfort to your whole body? Noticed how the gentle, yet persistent, sound of the ocean turns the concept of annoying into the greatest sleep aid on Earth? Witnessed the birth of anything? And then tried to put your resultant feelings into words? Just sat and watched the crown-shaped splashes created by raindrops on the surface of a puddle? Inhaled the simple, and pure, scent of pine? And how it can instantly transport you to a wild, distant and fond memory? Sensed the undeniable feeling of time travel experienced by finding a fossil? Thought of how a seed perfectly defines potential? And how an egg would say, "Hey! What about me?" Truly focused in on how nature presents us with beauty each day without fail … and without accounting? It took me just a few minutes to come up with my personal list. What would your list contain? Please share!