full cycle

Seasons change, and this palm warbler will soon be gone. Our trees and bushes offer a resting spot and some little insect to eat. I watch from my studio, windows flown open with my attempt at feeling closer to them. We are in it together, this full cycle thing. When these drying leaves give up and drop to the ground I'll be thinking of migrating as well. But for now my head is out the window trying to catch the last of the songbirds.

But I do see you

Peek a boo I wish I didn't see you.

This little guy was alone and inept at climbing. He lost his balance a number of times and rolled over to the under part of the branch, only to haul himself back up again. Wind blew the branches and he went with it, most of the time anyway. So small and so alone. I didn't interfere with nature on this one, I left him alone on that tree where I saw him. He was gone this morning, into the mystery of the woods.

transitions

It's getting to be that time of year again.

flutter good byes

Where do they go when the winds reach over 60 mph?

a walk in the woods

Follow me, we are going into the woods. Can you smell the balsam and that spongy fungus kind of a smell that hides beneath the decaying leaves? Can you feel the gnarly roots under your boots as you wander off the trail looking for a nursing log to rest upon. Can you feel your breathing slow down as you become one with the woods. The sun only slightly warms your back as it finds its way through the trees to you. Let's just sit here for awhile, the world will still be there when we go back home.

inside out

I've been outside playing and forgot to come back to the studio. It's that simple I just had too much fun outside. I've been wandering in the woods and climbing mountains, I've been observing most things around me. I've gotten in touch with nature, and therefore with myself. I've been connected to the earth and my mind has quieted. 

I came upon this leaf on a rock in the woods and it felt so familiar to me. It wasn't until I returned to my computer that I remembered why. The below image of the frog was taken three years ago very near where I saw the leaf. Look at the patterns and the colors, it is beautiful to me. 

We need to spend the outside time, wandering time, thinking time, to really connect to ourselves and our world. Life's simple pleasures.