Nature's Path: Listen to the wind

Reading the wind is an art. The wind carries important messages in smells, sounds, debris and signs of change in the weather that let us know what is happening both near and far.

If you have been outside in the past month, you have likely seen or smelled evidence of the forest fires to our north. These signs were big and pervasive, and easy to notice.

The wind carries subtle messages also, if we listen closely. My birding partner Keith and I have been striving to improve our recognition of bird songs. This requires listening closely as well as looking for the source of the sound.

We have noticed that "tuning in" has sharpened our awareness of all that is happening. Like any language, the wind has nuances and inflections that become noticeable as fluency increases.

Living in the cell phone era, many of us keep our attention focused on music or incoming messages when we are outdoors for a jog, walk or working in the yard. I wonder how many messages from the wind I have missed while talking on my phone. Our brains have limits, and we cannot fully hear several things at one time.

Growing up in north central Iowa was to grow up with the wind. It was part of everyday life in the flat, open acres of corn and soybeans. I am reminded of this every time I return for a visit to the farmland of Iowa. On a recent trip over Labor Day, I noticed more windmills on the landscape capturing the invisible power that constantly sweeps across the fields. The wind is a friendly partner when we work with it.

In northeast Minnesota, the wind can whip up a fury on Lake Superior. Boaters know the importance of checking the weather before venturing out onto the mighty lake. Once on the water, listening to the wind is essential, as it can change quickly and turn calm water into thrashing waves.

Those who mastered the ancient art of reading the wind improved their survival and quality of life. The Phoenicians were highly skilled shipbuilders and sailors, and are considered the greatest traders in the ancient world. They learned to befriend the wind and harness its power. The earliest record of a ship under sail appears on an Egyptian vase from about 3500 B.C.

When our kids were young, I wanted them to notice the nature around them by first noticing the wind. On blustery days I would cite Christina Rossetti's poem:

Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you.

But when the leaves hang trembling, the wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I.

But when the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by.

It did not take long before I would simply say, "Who has seen the wind," and someone would jump in and finish the poem.

Each of us is descended from someone who learned to read the wind and survived to pass along their genes. They listened to avoid storms and disaster, and also to harness the wind for advantage. On your next outdoor adventure, listen to the wind. It has a lot to say.

Contact writer Ruth Reeves at [email protected].