When It Rains, Go Outside!

Today’s post comes from Abby King, one of our Animal Care Interns. She writes about her love of rain and the enjoyment she’s had being out in the rain here at Fenner and other places in nature. Try taking her advice to experience a brand new appreciation for rain!

I like rain.

Many people seem to claim that they share this sentiment, and yet, when the skies darken and the air becomes still and heavy, I start to hear more complaints than celebrations. But, I fail to understand why.

Rain seems to keep people inside their homes. However, I find that staying indoors on a rainy day results in a multitude of missed sightings and sensations that only occur when it rains. Many of these can be experienced at Fenner.

In the woods, the leaves show their underbellies in the breezes that come before the rain. The birds change their songs, or become silent all together depending on the severity of the storm. The greens of the trees and grasses become richer, more vibrant, because of the cloud cover. Flowers register as their true colors instead of glaring spots of color in the sun. Rain quiets the gritty dust that works its way into my shoes, and turns it into smooth mud that squishes between my toes if I decide to go barefoot. When the trail slopes and the rain is fast, I see the temporary, tiny rivers that run down and make patterns of the different soil types. Rocks and trees become spotted with water at first, and then darken in color allowing the particles in the stone and the lichens on the bark to stand out. The raindrops also make a peculiar hissing noise when they hit the water of the ponds that I have yet to hear anywhere else.

In the rain, my first inclination is to huddle in my coat or under an umbrella in an attempt to stay dry. I think that this is a common reaction, and rather a shame because the feeling of rain on the skin is unique and an all-too-rare occurrence for most of us. During the next storm, perhaps remove your coat or step out from under the umbrella and embrace the water that saturates your clothing and rolls down your skin. We’ve all been caught in a storm and drenched as we dash for cover, but purposefully allowing the rain to soak you is, I find, a completely different experience.  

I’ll admit that there is nothing wrong with spending a rainy day inside, perhaps baking or catching up on housework or socializing with the family. However, the next time it rains, try something new and go experience the rain outdoors.