Here in Austin, one of the coolest ways to spend an evening is to head down to Town Lake and watch the bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge. The bridge is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony, a remarkable bit of “wild” right in the middle of our city. People gather along the water and even on boats as daylight fades, waiting for those first small silhouettes. Then the sky fills with movement as an estimated 1.5 million bats head out for the night.

With Halloween approaching, the Bat felt like a fitting animal for the week. But what draws me to the Bat goes beyond the season. It’s the ability to find direction in the dark.

I like having a plan. I want to know where something is going before I commit my time, energy, or heart to it. Yet some decisions don’t come with that kind of clarity. Sometimes you need to trust your instincts without having the full picture from the start. If you’re like me, this can be challenging but also really rewarding.

So this week, the bat offers a useful reminder: we can pay attention to the information we have, take a step, and adjust as we learn. We don’t have to see the entire path to begin.

– El

As evening settles over Austin, Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the cracks and crevices beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge and head out to feed. During the warmer months, this colony can number around 1.5 million bats. Watching these bats stream out and over the water is a striking sight and an iconic Austin experience. But beyond being just a fun and unique experience, there’s something we can learn from the Bat’s ability to navigate even when it can’t see what’s ahead.

Bats have a remarkable way of gathering information in darkness. They send out high-frequency calls and listen for the returning echoes. Those echoes help them locate insects and navigate their surroundings. Bats can see, too, but echolocation gives them another way to understand what is around them when light is limited.

There’s something useful in that process for those of us who prefer to have everything figured out before we move. A bat’s flight depends on an ongoing exchange with its surroundings: calling, listening, and responding. Direction comes through paying attention along the way.

Our own signals are less precise, but they still deserve consideration. Perhaps you’re starting a project when you don’t have the full vision of the outcome? Or you’re putting trust in a process that is new and unfamiliar. This uncertainty and “finding our way in the dark” can even become an advantage if we embrace it as part of the creative process… letting our minds open to different ideas and solutions.

The Bat’s connection to vision and expansion can become a meaningful reminder. Expanding our lives often means entering unfamiliar territory. We might try something before we feel fully ready, acknowledge that an old arrangement no longer fits, or follow an interest without knowing where it will lead.

Bat invites us to stay attentive as we go. Take the next reasonable step. Notice what you learn. Give yourself permission to adjust. Is darkness just the catalyst you need to expand your vision?

Did you know? You can now order The Daily Wild animal inspiration card decks them from the website. Whether you’re grabbing a set for yourself or looking for a meaningful gift, they're designed to encourage curiosity, confidence, and a little more connection to the world around us.

I am really loving it when you share your daily card pulls with me - I’ve been seeing more of these come through Instagram. Tag @yourdailywild! It never gets old and always makes me smile to see the animals that are calling to you!