Second Entry: Royal National Park

Introduction

Like participants involved in Dr. T.A. Loeffler’s study, I have always taken photographs during outdoor adventures to capture moments and new experiences. However, it was not until reading this literature and reflecting on the important role photography played in my experience at the Royal National Park that I realized the full potential of photographs to facilitate experiential learning. This entry will use three key photographs to reflect on things I learned about the outdoors, myself, and others during my visit to the park.

Photograph One: Discoveries About the Outdoors

Area where we spotted wild whales and dolphins

As discussed in my first blog post, I was raised in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Because these are doubly and singly landlocked states, the coastal location of Sydney is very unfamiliar and exciting for me. Living close to the sea during my time here has allowed me to develop a deeper connection to it and to learn about wildlife that live there, which I would not encounter in Colorado or Pennsylvania. For example, during my visit to the Royal National Park I was fortunate enough to see wild whales and dolphins for the first time. After pointing them out, Nicki explained their diets and migration patterns. I found that learning about these animals while watching them in their natural environment enhanced my understanding of the new information and made my learning experience a more impactful and memorable one. It made me realize that there is something special and powerful about learning about species in ecosystems where they occur naturally.

Photograph Two: Discoveries about Myself

Eucalyptus

During my time at the Royal National Park I also realized how accustomed I am to the natural environment that characterizes my home in the United States. While walking, I realized that I was subconsciously searching for aspects of ecosystems that I recognized and was mildly shocked when I encountered unfamiliar plants and animals, such as mountain devil. Although I was sometimes surprised by new flora and fauna, I was excited to experience and learn about them. I particularly enjoyed experimenting with the aboriginal use of eucalyptus leaves by rolling one up and putting it in my nose – a practice that I have never engaged in or even heard of in the United States. During this trip, I was also surprised by the wind and by my reaction to it. I had never been exposed to such powerful winds and did not realize they could play such a large role in shaping outdoor experiences. I was pleasantly surprised that myself and my entire group maintained positive attitudes and an eagerness to experience nature despite the difficulties posed by the wind. On one hand, this field trip made me realize that I am very accustomed to the environment at home and that I feel more connected to it when compared to my natural surroundings in Sydney. However, on the other hand, it also made me realize how eager I am to learn more about, experience, and develop deeper connections with the unique ecosystems in Australia.

Photograph Three: Discoveries About Others

Members of my group walking ahead

In addition to learning about and forging personal relationships with other individuals in my group, I also learned about bushwalking culture during my time at Royal National Park. After offering a greeting to a passing group, Nicki explained that it is expected for Australian bushwalkers to greet each other on the trail. This practice is so common, she said, that if someone who passes and does not say hello it is likely that they are a tourist. I found this new piece of knowledge so interesting because in America only very friendly hikers say hello to each other. A greeting is not expected. Upon reflection, I found that this example reflects how different America and Australia are, both physically and culturally, and how these differences can transcend into the outdoors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking photographs during my trip to the Royal National Park not only satisfied my desire to capture moments but also enhanced my experiential learning experience. Selecting and analyzing these three photographs allowed me reflect on and process what I learned about the outdoors, myself, and others during my time at the Royal National Park more deeply. This deeper reflection and processing is valuable because it will help me apply what I learned on this trip to future situations and outdoor adventures.