How would you like to give or receive a little something from nature this Christmas? Wouldn’t the shopping be easier? Wouldn’t the gift seem more unique?
In response to a suggestion from Sahlah to give one another virtual gifts from nature this season, Centria at Opening the Door, Walking Outside, has already offered up some excellent choices from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Yesterday was Black Friday in the US, a day known for crazy Christmas shopping. Wouldn’t a walk in the woods or along the beach seem a more fitting way to begin the holiday season?
So here are some virtual gifts from nature in Cow Bay to all Flandrum Hill readers and especially the regular commenters. Hopefully you’ll find something you like among these treasures.
The ring-necked pheasant feathers shown above were found in my yard where male pheasants often strut. You could stick one in a hat or place a few in a vase.
If you’re into novel fashion accessories, the mermaid’s purse shown at left might be just the thing for you even if you’re not a mermaid.
Or perhaps a green sea urchin is more to your liking. Found on the beach but sometimes in the woods where they’ve been dropped by seagulls, up close, each one reveals a five pointed star design. They are delicate so don’t usually ship well, but seeing as these are virtual gifts, that’s not a problem. Arranged in a bowl, they’d make a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
If you’re into practical gifts, the opalescent sheen on this razor clam is bound to make any other shaver seem dull in comparison.
Still haven’t found anything you’d like? Perhaps money is the gift for you then, in which case these sand dollars are sure to please!
I sincerely hope you managed to find something you like. And, if you’re Christmas shopping this weekend, you might want to reconsider that trip to the mall. Maybe your perfect gifts are already waiting for you to find under the trees.
Flandrum Hill 
The feathers, the feathers, the feathers….
thanks, thanks, thanks.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of each for me. Actually, I love the green tint to the sea urchins. This was a wonderful idea. Thank you so much. I deftly avoided any and all shopping (putting me behind schedule) by eating more and watching The Lord of the Rings (yes the whole extended version) with family. Smiles to all of you.
More beautiful gifts from nature–thank you. They are all wonderful.
Fountainpen, Yousei and Pamela, you’re all very welcome. Yousei, I think I’d prefer LOTR to shopping any day 🙂
Oh, Amy, they’re so beautifully wrapped!
Gerry, wrapping natural gifts is a bit more challenging but it’s definitely worth the effort.
I am feeling particularly greedy because they are so beautiful. May I have them all? Will these virtual gifts stretch enough so that everyone can have as many as they want? However, if it’s necessary to choose: a green sea urchin, please. They are truly exquisite. But there is also that mermaid’s purse. A mermaid’s PURSE! Your gifts are fantastic. Thank you, Ms. Amy.
Sure Kathy, go ahead. Fill your boots 🙂
If these are virtual gifts then I think everyone can have as many of each item as they’d like.
Those urchins are quite a joy to find – especially in the woods. The mermaid’s purses are often entwined in the seaweed and hopefully with all four of their ‘tendrils’ still intact.
My goodness what a stunning presentation! Beautiful things I do not have access to most of the time – real or virtual. Thank you.
You’re welcome Dawn. Thanks for suggesting the idea in the first place 🙂
I truly like the feathers and the sea urchins! If it’s not too greedy, I’ll have one of each, please. Thank you very much for your amazing Cow Bay gifts, Amy!
What exactly is a mermaid’s purse? They look really funky and cool, but I don’t know what it is….never even heard of one so I’m anxiously awaiting one of your fabulous nature ‘talks’.
Cindy, please go ahead and fill your boots 🙂
I had never heard of a mermaid’s purse until I moved to Nova Scotia, but they’re not exclusive to our waters.
Mermaid’s purses can sometimes be found along the beach. The one shown is an egg case for a dogfish. You can find more information about them and some beautiful photos by Jessica at http://natureinfocus.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/a-different-kind-of-mermaids-purse/
I found a part of a sea urchin at Cow Bay last week. Did’t know that we’d find Sand Dollars here too !
Once when I was camping in Ontario I thought I’d found hawk feathers but was later told they were turkey feathers. Nevertheless they’re beautiful and still stuck in my hat !
Beautiful pics.
Yes Sybil, sand dollars can be found in Cow Bay but they’re not as common as they are at other beaches in the province. Martinique beach is the best place to find them that I know of. My sons often see several live ones while scuba diving in St. Margaret’s Bay.
That is funny about the turkey feathers 🙂
We respond because these take us back to a quieter, simpler time, when we truly regarded Nature as the great Gift it is, and could be content to enjoy the Beauty made by our Creator.
Thanks, Amy.
You’re right Em. Nature really is a renewable, wonderful gift available for us all to share and enjoy.