Naturist Naturalists
A group dedicated to naturalists who are also nudists and who find the two occupations totally compatible. We include nudist nature lovers of all descriptions - birdwatchers, scuba divers, wildlife photographer, botanists are all welcome.
- created by johngw
Getting closer to nature
Return to DiscussionsIt is often said that part of Naturism is "getting closer to nature" and I truly believe that. It is also my experience that nature comes closer to me when I'm naked. I've had birds settle closer to me or not fly away as soon, as I approach. I've had closer experiences with wild deer, alone or as a herd.
Or is it my imagination? Who else has found this and can anyone explain why it might happen?
I have often thought the same thing - that animals/birds seem to allow a closer approach when I am wearing no clothes... But it could just be an imaginary effect.
Clothes tend to be of 'unnstural' colours and scents and so will possibly be noticed easier. They also rustle and at times noisily rub as we move along which adds to the warning levels for creatures.
But maybe it is actually down to our own heightened sense of awareness when naked. We are probably subconsciously feeling vulnerable when naked and so we are on the look out more ourselves. So we notice more. Maybe?
I absolutely agree that wildlife treat me different when naked. I once had a bow hunter give me this explanation. Most detergents contain optical brighteners. I know this from my work. One way to see if a stream is impacted by septic tanks is to check for the brighteners, which is easy. Put a cotton ball in the stream for a day or two and then the see if it lights up under UV light. Anyway, these brighteners make you really stand out to most animals like a light in the woods at night. He always washed his camo in soap without optical brighteners. Sounds reasonable. He thought hunting naked would be similar. I also hike in minimal footwear, so I walk more deliberately, thus more quietly. Same goes for hiking off trail naked. I'm a lot more cautious. The downside to this is I've had some bear encounters that would have been more comfortable had I been crashing through the woods clothed. The upside is walking into an elk herd and not having them bolt.
I have had similar experiences with animals in nature, when I nude. The animals seem less concerned or bothered by my presence. We have friends in CO and WA that live on acres of property. They often have wild animals wonder onto their property. Racoons, Fox, Deer. In the desert, where I spend lots of time off roading, I've been out of the car naked and exploring and come across wild burro, long horn sheep and some coyotes. I stay clear of the coyotes.
On our friends' properties, we are almost always naked while we visit. Roaming their property is very enjoyable where we are not confined to fences or walls. I've walked up on some of these animals and gotten closer than I'd ever thought I could. Once, my wife and I were at our friend's home in WA. We decided to have a snack picnic on their back lawn. We were eating crackers, cheese, salami and drinking wine. A doe and fawn came into their backyard and began eating grass and other foliage. They got within 20ft of us and continued to nibble and watch us. Our friend had seen this doe quite a bit and he tried to give her some fruit. He got within 8-10ft of her, and the fawn and they both turned and walked back into the woods. It was quite an experience being that close.
Wilderness is usually considered to be something good and in need of preservation. The beauty and awesomeness of it dominate our attention. We are attracted by wilderness, the Otherness of it, the sense it is something inevitably outside of us. Always beyond us, it is what is ultimately real. We cannot adequately appreciate this aspect of nature if we approach it with any taint of human pretense. It will elude us if we allow artifacts like clothing to intervene between ourselves and this Other. To apprehend it, we cannot be naked enough. - Henry David Thoreau
I have heard of a dog that barked at every stranger who approached his master's premises with clothes on, but was easily quieted by a naked thief. It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes." - Henry David Thoreau
I have heard of a dog that barked at every stranger who approached his master's premises with clothes on, but was easily quieted by a naked thief. It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes." - Henry David Thoreau
This is such an interesting thread it's a shame to have it die. Let me flip it around. How do you feel when you are naked and come across wild animals? Most of my naked encounters are with elk and bear. With elk, I feel like I am intruding less in their space, and often they are less concerned by me. I find that gratifying and makes me feel more part of nature.
With bears I feel less protected, which is silly. A piece of cloth is no protection at all. I do sense they are less concerned by my presence, which is good and bad. However, except in a few situations, bears are not aggressive. In probably 50 such encounters, I've only had one bad one (between a momma and her cubs). It is usually just a matter of acknowledging each others presence so you can each go your own way. On one naked hike, I needed a big, beautiful, black as night, black bear to see me. He was busy digging for something. There I was, naked, jumping up and down, yelling 'hey bear'. I got his attention and he ambled off, and I continued up the trail. That encounter would have felt different had I been clothed. I also run into the occasional moose. That's a whole other story.
In general, if I am naked, I feel more a part of their world, which adds to my desire to wander the woods naked.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on connecting with nature while naked. Id like to respond both personally and on behalf of NaturismRE and Naturis Sancta, as this topic resonates deeply with our shared values and principles.
I can completely relate to the idea that being nude in nature brings us closer to wildlife. Personally, Ive observed animals reacting differently when Im without clothing. As some have pointed out, clothing can carry unnatural scents, brighteners, and make noises that disrupt the natural environment. But more than that, I believe nudity fosters a heightened sense of awareness. Without the barrier of clothing, I feel more vulnerable and in tune with my surroundings. This heightened awareness might explain why animals appear less threatened and why I notice more around me.
A memorable encounter during a nude hike solidified this connection for me. I came across a group of kangaroos in the outback. Instead of bounding away, they stood still, watching me intently. It was a humbling experience that made me feel like less of an intruder and more of a participant in their world.
NaturismRE
NaturismRE advocates for reconnecting with nature as a means to foster respect, peace, and unity with the natural world. Many naturists have observed that animals seem more accepting of our presence when we shed our human-made barriers. This could be due to the absence of artificial colours, sounds, and scents, or perhaps our movements become more deliberate and mindful. NaturismRE encourages people to experience this unique connection for themselves. Whether through nude hiking, skinny dipping, or simply grounding oneself barefoot, these practices allow us to dissolve the boundaries between ourselves and the natural world.
For Naturis Sancta, nudity is more than just a lifestyle choice; it is a way to honour and revere nature as the ultimate force. By shedding our clothing, we symbolically remove the constructs of human artifice, stepping into nature as our truest selves. Encounters with wildlife while nude are not only a practical demonstration of harmony but also a spiritual reminder of our place within the interconnected web of life. Observing animals behaving more calmly in our presence reaffirms the core belief of Naturis Sancta: that by living in harmony with nature, we can foster peace, respect, and balance.
These experiences align beautifully with our teachings and rituals, encouraging members to embrace their vulnerability, deepen their awareness, and strengthen their connection to the natural world.
Your experiences and insights are a testament to the profound impact of stripping away the layersboth literal and metaphoricalthat separate us from the wilderness. Whether through heightened awareness, quieter movements, or reduced disruption, going nude offers a unique way to engage with nature and its inhabitants. Thank you for adding your voice to this fascinating and meaningful discussion.
