Cole Parker's Blog

I have always appreciated the nature around me, but if there was one place where I felt physically connected to the wilderness was when I embarked on a cruise in Alaska. I couldn’t have imagined what I would witness during my short time there. The wildlife, glaciers, forests, and habitats all shattered my expectations. While my family and I were in the wild we tried using as little technology as possible to get the most authentic experience. However, whenever I did use my phone it was to snap photos that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  The biodiversity in Alaska is like no other. Hundreds and thousands of species roam the ecosystems. Due to its massive size, Alaska has a wide variety of biomes including the tundras in the north and forests in the south. The local population as well as the flora and fauna all have a vital role in the ecosystem. Throughout my time up north I tried to find as much wildlife as I could. One day out at sea, I snapped a picture of one of my...

The past couple of weeks we have traveled out to the Fort Worth Nature Center to assist with the removal of brush and bamboo invading the reserve. Before the first day, I was looking forward to making a difference outside the classroom, although I wasn’t sure what to expect. When we arrived, I was surprised to hear we would be using the wood chipper, something I had never had experience with in the past. It was a little concerning to hear about all the potential accidents that could arise from using the wood chipper, but I was excited to use the machine. As we started venturing into the brush I found the work enjoyable. It was refreshing to carry the dead brush out of the habitat and dispose of it in the chipper. Especially after three hours of classes earlier in the morning, this was the perfect way to dispose of some stress. About midway through the first day, I attempted to pull out my biggest log yet when the unthinkable happened. I picked up the wood and walked over to the line fo...

I have always enjoyed outdoor water activities and have had the opportunity to navigate through multiple white water rapid expeditions in the past. Below is a picture of my friends and I making our way through the Big Eddy Rapids in the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon.  As a Californian who knew little about Texas when I arrived at TCU, I was surprised to hear about the number of lakes in the area surrounding Ft. Worth. Therefore, I was excited to learn that we were going canoeing as a class out at Benbrook Lake. When we arrived, I couldn’t believe the massive size of the lake. I remember originally thinking it would be fun to paddle all the way across, however, after beginning to paddle into the wind I quickly realized this wouldn’t be a possibility. The swells generated from the high winds made it difficult to navigate through the water, so we ultimately had to turn back. Then on our way back towards the shoreline, the unexpected happened. Our boat began to gradually turn par...

I remember walking home from school when I heard the horrible news. The historic town of Lahaina had burnt to ashes due to a fire in the area. I immediately called my grandma who had lived in the area for some time to comfort her. Hearing the stories about people fleeing the town for their lives made it hard to process. Lahaina has always been a special place for my family. We would often meet in Lahaina to reunite the extended family every year. Some of my fondest childhood memories were exploring the various shops and restaurants in the area.  Lahaina is where I began to appreciate art and its beauty. The central part of town was home to some of the rarest art in the world. My family and I would take the time to visit the museums full of art showing different aspects of nature. You could find authentic paintings, photographs, and sculptures depicting scenes from all ecosystems. I especially enjoyed viewing the aquatic wildlife photographs. These clear underwater images illustrate...

Music has always been a major passion of mine. At 10 years old, I discovered my love for singing and playing the guitar. Writing music and singing has often helped me let go of my restricted emotions and offered me the chance to be at peace. This is why Mary Oliver’s poem “Such Singing in the Wild Branches” caught my eye. Throughout the years of performing in bands, musicals, and ensembles I’ve quickly realized the power that singing has to offer. Whether it's rock, country, or simply a bird singing in the trees, music can be uplifting and is great for the soul. In the poem, Mary describes the phenomenon of the bird’s song as a “magical” experience.  “First, I stood still and thought of nothing. Then I began to listen. Then I was filled with gladness- and that’s when it happened, when I seemed to float…”  Through this example, Mary Oliver illustrates the impact of the bird's song. The listener is becoming one with nature. Overall, the poem is optimistic and persuasive. It’s a...

Throughout my life, I have always been an overthinker. Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of unnecessary stress and pressure that I’ve put upon myself over the years. These thoughts may be common amongst people whether it is for social or academic reasons, but I still find ways to over-amplify these emotions. This is why Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese” was so appealing to me.  The first couple of lines read, “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting” This quote emphasizes the importance of not dragging yourself down for being imperfect. My parents had to remind me as a kid that living a life of constant regret and worry wasn’t doing any good other than hindering my mental and physical health. Oftentimes, one of the ways I take my mind off stressors is by thinking about nature. It is weirdly comforting knowing that although I’m experiencing personal challenges, nature around me continues to live on and exp...

During the summer, when I was back home in San Diego, I often gazed outside my bedroom window in hopes of seeing a new family of hummingbirds nesting for the upcoming season. My Mom would always tell me that hummingbirds bring great luck to those whom they surround themselves with. Therefore, it was always a challenge for my sister and I to locate the nest in the yard. Although we couldn’t find it every year, I still had the pleasure of observing numerous generations of hummingbirds throughout my childhood years. I was always fascinated by the unique nature of the species. Not only are hummingbirds colorful and aesthetically beautiful, but they also carry some of the craziest miracles life has to offer. My favorite example of this is their ability to fly at high speeds and occasionally even fly backward.  In Mary Oliver’s poem “Hummingbirds” , she lists the physical characteristics of a hummingbird and describes the activities of its daily life. I believe this explanation symbolize...