I spent this past weekend in the deep suburbia surrounding Washington, D.C., visiting my grandmother and other family in the area. I had no expectations for much in the way of nature, although I know that there are more animals than people think wandering around our developed areas.

So, when my grandma looked out her window and casually stated “The fox is back.”, I was quite surprised. I was even more surprised when I turned around and, not more than 20 feet outside her window, was the most beautiful, healthy looking red fox I have ever seen. Its fur was thick and fluffy, and it trotted through her yard with the confidence that only a strong, healthy predator could exude.

To put this in the context of my life, I spend a lot of time outdoors. I like hiking and camping, and I rarely pass up an opportunity to go outside. All that being said, since I moved to Jamestown three years ago, I have seen a fox exactly once. I was in my car and it was some distance away in a field. Despite the distance, and inability to look too closely as I was driving, it was a hugely memorable experience.

So, seeing a beautiful fox, so close and so unexpected, was a special treat. And while I almost exclusively picture foxes happily prancing through an untouched forest, this suburban dwelling fellow appeared entirely at home.

Spotting an Evening Grosbeak, like the one spotted at this feeder, can be a special and exciting event.

And why shouldn’t he be at home? My grandma’s yard has a plethora of food options. Squirrels, chipmunks, and birds are all frequent visitors to her patio. A shrubby tree line at the back of her yard provides plenty of cover and, apparently, it’s not uncommon to see this fox and its partner raising a litter of kits each year, alluding to a hidden den somewhere nearby.

Not only was this a stark reminder of the adaptability of nature, but also an interesting lesson in what nature is “normal” from differing perspectives. This fox, which was such a unique experience for me, was entirely commonplace for my grandma. In turn, she always loves hearing about the herons, ducks, eagles, and hawks that I see regularly at Audubon. My normal is her special, and her normal is my special.

But does being “normal” really make it any less special? Sure, we get used to seeing the plants and animals that are around us on a daily, or at least regular, basis. We may not turn our heads for every bird, squirrel, or bright flower we pass by. However, these things are special, and to someone else, seeing them may be an entirely novel and exciting experience.

It reminds me of an experience I had in my early birding days. I was out with a much more experienced birder and had been tricked by a robin (haven’t we all), thinking it was something much more exciting. I then made the mistake of saying it’s “just a robin”. Well, let me tell you I got a good lecture on why nothing is “just” something. Even the most mundane and common robin is still a privilege to see and hear.

This philosophy can be applied to anything you find in nature. Each oak tree, robin, goose, worm, or rock is special in its own way. Sure, it may not be the highlight of the day, month, or year to see, but it should never be dismissed as “normal”. To someone else, it may be a unique treasure and should be treated as such.

Even the most normal animal, like this robin, can be special in the right setting.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature. ACNC is located just east of Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The trails are open from dawn to dusk and birds of prey can be viewed anytime the trails are open. The Nature Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily except Sunday when it opens at 1 p.m. More information can be found online at auduboncnc.org or by calling (716) 569-2345.