Hiking through forests without views used to be a means to an end with that end being popping out into a wide open meadow, or breaking out into a place with a view showing the trail leading to a mountain summit, or even exiting the forest to see a shimmering alpine lake. I did not appreciate all that a long stretch of forest walking had to offer. Over the past few years my focus shifted! While I still enjoy the wide open meadows, mountain summits and shimmering alpine lakes, I now embrace being enveloped by a tree-lined trail where I can have that feeling of receiving a safe secure hug from nature. My most recent watercolour painting above, shows my interpretation of "into the forest I go"!
John Muir the Naturalist says "into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul!
Lately I enter the forest with my mind in chaos and exit with nothing but feeling cheerful clarity!
even when skating I can enter a forest
With that recent gigantic upswing in temperature, I went for what could possibly be my last skate of the season on local ice. We will see what transpires in coming days at other locations. On this day I made the most of my etching time while savouring every second. The Ice Trail had not been swept nor flooded since the previous day or two yet it was still in great condition.
The view while skating, of the shadows on the snow & ice, caught my attention!
Do you see what else also caught my attention?
look directly under the orange arrow
A Bald Eagle sat on the tree top for an extended period of time. It remained there throughout many of my laps skating around The Ice Trail. I was wishing I had my big camera with me. While I did have my jacket on with the faux fur lining the hood, I was not concerned this time like I was recently as I shared with you in my last post.
By the time I covered twelve kilometres,
I had fully found my soul and my mind was filled with cheerful clarity!
at Wyndham Carseland I can enter a forest
On this day, the road conditions driving southeast to Wyndham Carseland were summer-like yet the trails around The Provincial Park were winter-like and I was happy to see that. It had been ages since I visited this area, I was excited for what I might see on this birding outing.
a male Downy Woodpecker
a White-breasted Nuthatch
a Black-capped Chickadee photobomb
a sweet surprise
taking time to enjoy a hot beverage along with the sights & sounds
By the time I finished my beverage and two hours had passed,
I had fully found my soul and my mind was filled with cheerful clarity!
The dive home looked like this!
I live out there somewhere!
🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲
knitting
When I was not going into a forest, I worked on my cable knitting project! I competed one slipper and after trying it on there was no doubt I would be keeping this pair. Another hour is all that is needed to complete four more cable sections on the second slipper then bind off and stitch it up. These slippers will come in handy this coming week.
Tease Time!
I strategically placed the yarn and one needle
to cover the title, a word, and photo of my next project.
Stay tuned!
Metaphorically speaking,
when I am knitting and painting I am not going into a forest
yet I am entering a place in my mind that turns chaos into cheerful clarity!
Looks like a beautiful hike! Lovely photos, painting and knitting. It's so important to stay focused on what soothes the soul these days.
ReplyDeleteThese interests are filling more of my time lately! I wake excited to get busy at them!
DeleteYou've some great bird shots. How quickly our weather can change.
ReplyDeleteAs I reply to you here, I have the window wide open! The warm weather is bringing the birds out in abundance!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading about your connection with nature. The photos are lovely!
ReplyDeleteLiving life revolved around nature is the absolute best these days!
DeleteHello Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteI love that John Muir quote, a walk in the forest is soothing to the soul. I enjoyed your photos and videos, the skating and the birds landing on your hand. Great sightings of the Eagle, Chickadee, Woodpeckers and Nuthatch! They are all great birds. Your sketch is pretty too. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, Happy Sunday! Have a great week ahead. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Loads of beauty to be found in the forest! I hope your week is getting off to a good start!
DeleteYour winter pictures are very beautiful. Even though I am now tired of winter here, I never get tired of seeing your landscape covered in snow and ice. The picture of the White-breasted Nuthatch is very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of people seem to be tired of winter now and ready for the many blessings that come with spring!
DeleteI’m always impressed when people can knit such intricate things.
ReplyDeleteIt takes paying particular attention to following a pattern with no distractions to get it right! I have had many do overs!
DeleteThe photo bomb really was a fun photo and all of your bird photos are beautiful. I went into the forest yesterday and felt the quiet and calm. It always helps me stay centered. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteIt was when I got home and downloaded my photos that I saw the photo bomb and it made me smile! Even when looking back through my photos, I feel the quiet and the calm.
DeleteThe blues in those first photos are spectacular! And a sweet surprise indeed - a gave a little whoop when the first one landed. Beautiful work on those slippers; I’d be keeping them too. ❤️Norma
ReplyDeleteI wanted to give some whoops when they were landing on my hand but kept quiet so not to scare them away. The slippers are done and I will be wearing them this week.
DeleteSo much to love in this post. I’m in admiration of all your knitting especially the cable slippers. Gorgeous skating pictures and bird photos. Have a happy week. B x
ReplyDeleteYour compliment on my knitting means a lot coming from you, you are an influencer! I am looking forward to a change of view this week!
DeleteAlexandra, I’m impressed with the amount of “awareness” you were able to share with this post. Over the last several years I’ve been studying an area that may be referred to as human consciousness, awareness, and spirituality. You have an uncommon ability to share the joy you experienced, in this post, sharing your photos and describing your visit into the forest. Your caption on one of your images is perfect: “By the time I covered twelve kilometres, I had fully found my soul and my mind was filled with cheerful clarity!” This is what I love about your blog. It’s as if I’m able to go along with you and share some of that cheerful clarity. Thank you for sharing! John
ReplyDeleteJohn, I just found this comment from you, for some reason it did not come through my normal gmail notifications but was sitting in a spam folder. The area you are studying is interesting! I find there is a whole other world out there when being more aware!
DeleteA lovely post.
ReplyDeleteGreat read and beautiful photographs.
I like your knitting, I wonder what your next project will be?
All the best Jan
Thank You! Already did one redo on the next knitting project, so far so good the second time around!
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