Hanging Out in the Woods

Yesterday I spent a lot of time

Hanging Out in the Woods.

While much of the landscape is taking on the monochrome look of late fall, I found some patches of bright color left in Wolsfeld Woods SNA. I spent much of my time craning my eyes upward towards the sky admiring the tall trees. But I also kept an eye on the trail beneath my feet. The trails were covered with a few inches of fallen leaves. And I wanted to be careful not to trip on a hidden root or slip on an acorn underfoot. So I moved slowly and carefully up and down the hilly trails. It made me laugh at myself thinking that I am turning into one of an old fart who walks ever so slowly and carefully.

Of course, when I don’t need to be careful of my footing on the smooth trails of my neighborhood you will still often find me moving slowly or pausing frequently. As a photographer, even when I’m not carrying a camera, I’m gazing at the world from all directions. I like to look up, down and all around. Sometimes it isn’t until I turn around and look back that I see some beautiful shape or graceful curve of a branch or plant.

When I found a perfect fallen tree in Wolsfeld Woods yesterday, I sat on it and gazed at the beauty all around me for a long time. Then I lay down on it’s huge trunk and simply soaked in the wonder of the woods.

Spending time in the woods nourishes my soul. And this remnant of the Big Woods is one of my favorite places to hang out. I almost always go there alone. It’s my church, a sacred place where I feel close to God.

How I go to the woods

Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”

― Mary Oliver, Swan: Poems and Prose Poems

When was the last time you spent time hanging out in the woods? Wishing you a beautiful day.

May you walk in beauty.