Mine probably has to be mountain biking. I just love riding through the forest, sometimes catching some air time and swallowing the occasional fly whilst going downhill at 30km/h.
Photography. I like birds, amphibians, and insects. I upload with location data to iNaturalist, which crowd-sources biodiversity. To that end, I will go to several different sites in my area at different times of the year so that I can contribute a variety of species at a variety of locations.
If you’re well-versed in identification, you can confirm species identification on the app too. I’m familiar with the calls of all the frogs in my area and will help identify frogs in recordings.
Swallowing flys at 30mph, snicker, sniker, snicker
I’m a bird watcher. I go birding every week. I built many sub-hobbies around it: photography, birdsong recording, blogging, cross stitching, and more. I find that when I’m out in nature, I can truly disconnect from my regular life stress and just be present in the moment.
I took this further by training and becoming a Master Naturalist though my local region’s chapter. This opened the door to a great community, learning, and volunteer work.
I love birding. What I think is most beautiful about it is that, (for me at least) it takes a goal-oriented activity of hiking, and turns it into pure discovery.
My approach to hiking was something like “well let’s go around 5 miles”. Then, I would find a hike about that long, go to the end, then turn around and walk back. This kind of approach is such an anemic way to enjoy nature. It’s something to conquer and then I go home when I’ve finished.
With birding, I do essentially the exact same activity, but I have thousands of excuses to just stop and appreciate the world around me. I know many people enjoy hiking in this way, but for me it was about the destination. Birding has transformed the way I go outside.
Besides this, I think the meditative nature of birding has made me more grateful in all aspects of my life.
Possibly frowned upon by some but going fishing. Really feel in nature and I only keep what I know I will eat. Feels great to be out in nature and catch your own food.
As long as you’re respectful and sustainable, I’d say it’s totally cool. I also went fishing a couple times and it was pretty fun. The biggest thing I caught was another fishing rod however…
My personal favorite is backpacking. It’s pretty common but I like the simplicity of just walking out into the wilderness and being so exposed to the elements.
Kayaking for sure. I’ve been wanting to get into geocaching, which I think would be another great way to connect with nature.
Floating in the kayak on flat, clear water, under the trees, gazing at the little fish and salamanders darting through the reeds and lilies, sigh. Dragonflies make me giggle. Fast is fun too.
I go canoeing sometimes and it’s the exact same for me as well. It’s really relaxing.
geocaching, for the physical exercise – some are genuine hikes, exploration of varying nature settings such as trails, forests, parks, seawalls, one can introduce others to the hobby, and the capital outlay need not be costly.
