John P. Cardone - The Healing Power of Nature: A practical exploration of how nature can influence our health and well-being

Author Notes

While compiling the information in this book, every attempt was made to verify the accuracy of the details provided. However, as in any published work, things change over time. It is suggested that interested readers verify details of locations or updated information. Also, please note that all references, websites, and links to specific articles are listed in the bibliography (see pages 113 - 120).

Throughout this book there are mentions of the importance of exercising. It is strongly recommended that anyone beginning an exercise program should consult with a physician for medical clearance.

All photos by the author, John P. Cardone, unless otherwise noted.

Cover photos clockwise from upper left:

1.The authors son and grandson taking a nature walk in Lakeland County Park, Islandia, NY

2.Gateway view of Yaphank Creek, Brookhaven, NY

3.Elderly couple relaxing in Sensory Gardens of Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay, NY

4.A nesting American bald eagle along Little Neck Run, Brookhaven, NY

Second edition Copyright 2021 John P. Cardone

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the copyright owner, except for the use of quotations in a book review.

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-7368892-2-0

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-7368892-3-7

First paperback edition 2017

Cover and book design by John P. Cardone

Published by: Waterviews Arts

To order additional copies of this book contact:

Waterviews Arts

To learn more about the authors books and photography visit:

www.WaterviewsBook.com

View of pond at Massapequa Preserve, Massapequa, NY

This book is dedicated to those who preserve and rescue our wildlife, waterways, and open spaces.

White-tailed deer at the shore of the Carmans River, Brookhaven, NY

Table of Contents

American bald eagle perched among the pine cones, Little Neck Run, Brookhaven, NY

...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?

Vincent Van Gogh

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

L et me begin with my deep appreciation to the pair of American bald eagles that remained perched high above in a dense pine tree while I photographed their magnificence from a drifting kayak below. Since first spotting them in 2013, I have been treated to countless hours of enjoyment. I should also add my appreciation to all the wildlife that I have observed and photographedin many ways I frequently feel blessed.

Next are the many people who encouraged me along the journey of producing this book. Thank you to Kay Smith, a special friend who provided me with suggestions to improve specific areas of the manuscript. And thanks to the first readers who agreed to read an early draft, providing me with helpful constructive criticism. Thanks to Sal Randazzo, Rev. Richard Allen, Richard C. Scheinberg, Vinnie A. Simeone, and Charlee Miller.

It is also important to thank those who allowed me to include their nature photographs, or their nature stories. And thanks to the organizations that gave permission to include photos depicting their dedicated work. A special thank you to Christina Giammattei, my friend and fellow photographer, who agreed to help me with the author photograph that appears on the books back cover. Christinas excellent picture-taking talents demonstrated that she would not settle any more than I would.

When it comes to the overall writing quality of a book, I can only hope that every writer is as fortunate as I to work with a world-class book editor. So thank you Jim Cunningham, for your insightful editing, literary strengthening of the text, and for your thoughtful styling suggestions to make this book the best it could be. Not every writer has an editor who is also a friendthank you for that too.

Experts are always important to insure any published work is accurate. Thank you Alice Raimondo of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County for the naming of the flora and the butterflies, and thank you to Steven DAmato of the Great South Bay Audubon Society for your assistance with the bird identifications.

A special thank you to my writer friends Kerriann Flanagan Brosky and Jeff Rimland for your encouraging kind words and your belief in this project.

Closer to home, a loving thank you to my wife Kathy who shared with me many of the outdoor experiences mentioned, and who patiently listened to the ideas and concepts while I worked on the themes found within the books covers. Thank you for the review of the very first draft and for your ongoing support and encouragement. The other special members of my family to thank include my grandchildren who inspire me with their wonderful and joyous comments about nature. Watching these amazing kids relate to the nature around them reinforces within me the idea that I am on the right track. So, thank you Kieran, Ella, Caitlyn, Noah, and Caia for your love and inspiration.

Author taking a photo of an egret along the Carmans River, Brookhaven, NY (photo by Barbara Wallace)

Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Albert Einstein

INTRODUCTION

W elcome to Waterviews: The Healing Power of Nature. This is the second book that I have written that includes Waterviews in the title heading. The term waterviews has an intriguing duel meaning. First, it connotes the visual images one might see with their eyes while looking out at waterscapes, and second, because these images might move you emotionally, it also signifies the thoughts that you might see with your mind.

Authors say that ideas for a new book project turn up in many ways. Sometimes an idea comes from a eureka moment, or out of a conversation, a business meeting, or a friends recommendation. Other times an idea may take shape while a writer is trying to sleep. For me, the idea for this book came from the confluence of a number of events following the publication of my first nonfiction book, Waterviews: A Collection of Photographs, Thoughts, and Experiences.

For starters, I spoke at a cancer survivorship meeting hosted by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Long Island Chapter. My lecture, which included many of my waterscape and wildlife photographs, was entitled,