By Jim Fitch
Practicing Oil Analysis Magazine
Several years ago, when my son was a Cub Scout, his den went on a night hike at our local wildlife sanctuary. He and I went together on this outing. We were led by a professional nature guide who worked full-time at the sanctuary. I wasn’t expecting much; after all, what can one see in the forest when it’s pitch dark?
It wasn’t long into the hike before I realized that I was nothing more than a babe in the woods. While I was concentrating on my footing along the trail, our guide was pointing out everything from faint insect smells to the luminescent trailers of caterpillars on tree branches. To her, the forest was an orchestra of sights, sounds and smells. Using only her senses, she named the species of countless birds, mammals and reptiles we encountered along the way. She was in her element … a true professional in tune with her environment. I was impressed.