Spring Fragrance

Summary

The website content discusses the phenomenon of increased forest fragrance following a rain, drawing on insights from Diane Ackerman's work on the senses and the influence of air pressure on scent dispersal.

Abstract

The article "Spring Fragrance" delves into the sensory experience of smell, particularly how scents become more pronounced in the forest after a rainfall. It references Diane Ackerman's "A Natural History of the Senses," which reveals that the sky extends to the ground and that we are enveloped by it, as well as how air pressure affects the diffusion of fragrances. The author, Wolfstuff, recounts a personal experience of walking through a fragrant forest post-rain, crediting Ackerman's insights for enhancing their understanding of this natural occurrence. The piece explains that lower air pressure following rain allows fragrance particles to rise more easily, making the environment more aromatic compared to clear, sunny days with high pressure. The author invites readers who appreciate the content to support the creative process through PayPal and provides links to further explore their work and background.

Opinions

The author, Wolfstuff, finds joy and happiness in the heightened fragrances of a forest after rain, which they attribute to Diane Ackerman's observations on the senses.
Wolfstuff expresses admiration for Ackerman's ability to illuminate the often-overlooked details of our sensory interaction with the environment, such as the idea that we are constantly surrounded by and breathing the sky.
The article suggests that there is a scientific basis for the increased aromaticity of the forest after rain, rooted in the principles of air pressure and its effect on scent particles.
The author values the connection between human experience and the natural world, emphasizing the importance of noticing and appreciating these moments.
Wolfstuff encourages reader engagement and support for their creative work, indicating a belief in the value of sharing personal insights and observations through writing.

A Happy Nose

Image by Author

After the light rain Released by a grateful Earth My nose so happy

I think it was Diane Ackerman who enlightened me on this point — when in her A Natural History of the Senses she pointed out two, for me, very nice things.

The first was that the sky reaches all the way to the ground. We walk through sky all the time, we breathe sky. The sky is not something we have to tilt our heads back to observe, we’re in it. Can’t help but. First thing.

The second thing has to do with barometer readings and air pressure. The higher the barometer reading the more the air presses down upon the earth. Clear skies and sunshine are usually the telltale signs of high pressure. Low pressure, on the other hand (think gray, overcast, rain) does not push down as hard upon the earth.

Fragrances — as so much else — are particles, too, and as such are affected by how hard the air pushes down on them. So, after the rain, when the air pressure is still relatively low, fragrances find it easier to rise, and as a result, a forest will be more aromatic during or after rain (low pressure) than during those clear, sunny high-pressure days.

Out walking after a light morning rain, I was delighted to find the air very fragrant, which (as it always does) brought Ackerman to mind. My nose was very happy.

P.S. If you like what you’ve read here and would like to contribute to the creative motion, as it were, you can do so via PayPal: here.

Spring Fragrance

A Happy Nose

Wolfstuff

So, who am I? Really really. I could tell you that I was born in northern Sweden during a snow storm, and subsequently…

Ulf Wolf — Kindle Store

Ulf is a Swedish name that means Wolf. Well, today, wolf in Swedish is varg. Or, sometimes, if you're old-fashioned…