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Your stories of hope and wonder

We asked you to submit your stories of hope and wonder—and we learned that our readers are brimming with joy and delight in our natural world.

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Bee a hero

I have birdbaths out all summer for the birds and usually I have bee savers in the middle of them. But one afternoon I walked out and saw a bee floating in the water. I lifted them him and could see a little movement so I knew he was still alive. I brought him over to my patio and sat with him on my finger. Slowly I saw more movement and the wings starting to move and his little arms, cleaning himself off. After about 10 minutes, I set him on a piece of clover in my lawn and shortly after that he flew away. I had the biggest smile on my face.

—Kelly Kilishek

Bugs are friends

I save little bugs that are drowning either in water or in my drinks and I set them free. I also make sure not to kill most bugs unless they're genuinely dangerous. Instead of killing, I catch moths or even pick up certain bugs I find in my home and place them outside. For wasps/bees, I get my mom to do it though, I'm too scared lol. We leave most spiders alone, they just want somewhere safe to spin their webs :)

—Maxim Russ

Bird watching

I fondly remember when I was living with my late wife Margaret in Takoma Park and walking along the Sligo Creek Trail, observing Belted Kingfishers and Rufous-sided Towhees among other interesting birds.

—Gregory Knight

A belted kingfisher with a fish in its beak

Life changing

I once saved a caterpillar who then transformed into a stunning moth. Helping that caterpillar and watching it transform into a moth showed me just how awe inspiring animals and nature really are.

—Rebecca Mallott

Look out below

While kayaking around Vancouver Island early morning in about 1995, I sensed movement, and saw 4 resident Orcas heading towards my kayak, their huge dorsal fins slicing the water in front of me. For a moment, I disappeared into their world, stepped outside myself with awe. Although scary to see them heading my way while I was alone out there, as they approached my kayak, they slid under the water like synchronized swimmers, I felt a bump from the current, and they emerged on the other side and kept swimming away from me. Most incredible experience of my life.

—Lauren Gonzalez

Two orcas with their heads above the surface

Evening visitor

We get deers that come in our backyard from time to time. Just the other day on Saturday evening I was sitting in my swing on the porch. When I saw two young deers in the back yard. One happened to be a young buck because he was getting his antlers and the other one was a young doe. It was a beautiful sight to see a young buck out already.

—Alisa Russell

A white-tailed deer buck in overgrown vegetation

Don’t be afraid

I live in a rural area, so I encounter lots of wildlife, birds, deer, raccoons, etc. My favorite story is about a young skunk who would walk with me a little way down the road. I would say good morning, she would stop eating look up at me follow along, stop and wait, for me then come back to the corner with me. This went on for several weeks. One day I saw her digging a burrow and stopped to say hello. She looked up stopped digging, allowed my dog to sniff her without spraying , chattered at us, then went back to work. It is those special incidents that you never forget.

—Mollie Sober

Pachyderm protection

I love seeing the elephants and watching the way they form a circle or whatever is needed to help each other, and I see the families get together so lovingly. I feel so much love ❤️ watching them.

—Patricia Connelly

Unexpected awe

One evening around dusk I was driving home from my sister's. It is in a quaint town on the waterfront. As I was driving I was reminiscent of the day and taking in the scenery when I came upon the most grand deer just standing on the other side of the road where it is all trees and brush. I was able to park and sit. We actually had eye contact for maybe five minutes which seemed like an eternity. It was amazing. Awe inspiring.

—Tami Persson

Just being neighborly

I used to live near Big Bear. It was wonderful to sit on the porch & watch & listen to the birds, squirrels, & all sorts of animals; there was even a bear who wandered the neighborhood sometimes.

—Marty Horton

More from WWF

Read about the iconic species that WWF is known for protecting—like tigers, elephants, polar bears, and bison, as well as the small, often underappreciated animals and plants—that ignite curiosity in our Hope and Wonder series.

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