My world has been rocked by rocks ever since I spied a special stone on the shore of Lake Superior as a young girl on a family camping trip. My precious find looked exactly like a freshly sliced orange, complete with divided segments and a carrot-colored rind. It stared up at me, right at my feet, waiting to be discovered.

Living and working in Yellowstone National Park for more than a dozen years allows me to continue to explore the fascinating world at my feet.

I learned to notice nature and its quirky shapes from my grandfather, Victor Clarence, who never missed seeing a twisted tree limb, an oddly-shaped stone or a fascinating chunk of earth. On family car trips I'd perch on his lap to marvel at the landforms surrounding us.

Now, as an adult, I look to the natural world to retain the curiosity and imagination of that child who sat mesmerized on her grandfather's lap. You may see what I see in these rocks, or you may see something entirely different. The key is to notice and protect them.