Part 4
A SEASONAL HAVEN
Nature is a tapestry that changes dramatically with each season.
Humming with life, it changes from a vibrant green, speckled with colours from wildflowers into a warm, muted world of orange and brown. Everything becomes just a little bit more quiet, and smells like apples and harvest. Suddenly it’s completely white, quiet and peaceful, almost as if the world has suddenly gone black and white. And then life springs up again. The green a little brighter, less vibrant at first, but soon is full of bloom and beauty. The cycle renews, and so does my awe.
The cycle renews, and so does my awe.
I’ve embraced this ever-changing backdrop, refusing to let even the harshest weather deter me from my outdoor adventures. Instead, as the seasons cycle, life in the outdoors and as a photographer never gets boring. You also learn to enjoy nature despite the weather. Take, for example, the thick fog rolling in from the mountains and winding its way through the forest. For some it may be a grey mass that hides everything you can consider beautiful, but once you learn to embrace it, the fog forces you to see every tree for its own beauty and not just the forest. The fog in ways reframes the way you see nature.
Each visit to my familiar woodland sanctuary feels like a new expedition
Have you ever stood in a forest filled with such dense fog that it looks tinted blue? It’s beautiful, but we easily miss out on it to avoid uncomfortable and difficult experiences. But in nature when it comes to finding beauty, sometimes the worse the weather gets, the more beautiful it can become. Equipped with waterproof boots, a cozy wool hat, and a reliable shell jacket, I’ve learned to savour the unique tranquility that rain brings. The forest becomes my private sanctuary; the patter of raindrops serves as a lullaby, and the world seems to hold its breath. Each visit to my familiar woodland sanctuary feels like a new expedition, as different weather paints the scenery in varying shades and moods. One might be tempted to stay indoors, but venturing out—even briefly—gives you the gift of a different perspective.
Life isn’t full of colour every day, and neither is nature. When we learn to find beauty in even the grayest of days, it not only changes the way we see nature, but the way we see life and ourselves.
Get out there, no matter the season. Just get your gear on and embrace the enchanted world of nature. When you return, warm yourself with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or a hearty meal. I guarantee it will taste better when seasoned with a nice dose of enjoying nature’s ever-changing beauty.
Out in that grey haven, I found parts that I had forgotten about. Through photography you can see too.