let nature be your teacher

"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. " - William Wordsworth

I was the first person coming down the slopes. The one who would stop every 5 minutes just to take in the glorious landscape or lie down on the freshly fallen, cushy snow. And some days the wind blowing on my face would move me to tears. Spending time in nature, whether in the mountains or at the beach, is always a humbling, exhilarating experience that reminds me to slow down, delight in the simple things in life, embrace the unknown and live each moment wholeheartedly.

Today share with us how nature inspires you. Share what nature teaches you.

Comments

[Marcie]

Yes - nature always inspires:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/1/2/simple.html

[Shay]

Ah! This is so beautiful!

[Anne]

Here in the Netherlands it almost feels like spring...just posted about 'cause I felt so inspired by it today.

http://www.circusedgar.blogspot.com

Anne

[Sylvia @ From the Heart]

Nature always brings me back to my center.

http://sylviahall.posterous.com/majestic-beautiful

[Gotta Run]

beautiful picture - thank you !
. . . I am always inspired by the beginning of a new day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottarun2009/6656759037/

[rakusribut]

nature has been, is and will always be my main muse

my nature blog:
http://kagerzoom.blogspot.com

today's special
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61760618@N08/6661473371/sizes/l/in/photostream/

[Jennifée]

Nature says, always remember the light:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifee/6564083221/

[shirley lemay]

I am always amazed by nature. So beautiful sometimes, it hurts.
http://www.shirleybehindthelens.com/2012/01/prairie-sunsets.html

[Sophie Gee]

Sometimes, when I get out into nature - with the camera, because it slows me down, makes me take my surroundings in properly - I realise that I can breathe properly. It's where everything is somehow accorded its proper perspective.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-smallfish-/5647085636/in/set-72157626591497626

[Sherri B.]

Natures teaches me that beauty is in the details...every last bit of nature, from enormous to tiny, is a design miracle. All we have to do is stop and take a closer look. I find when I go out in nature to take photos, I tend to look down and zoom in for hidden treasures. I can't seem to help myself! The textures and colors I discover are glorious.

http://softlypiquedlens.blogspot.com/2012/01/delight-and-wonder.html

[Tori]

Nature teaches me there is beauty all around us, even in less abundant times.

http://seventhwardphotography.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/bruce/

[Amy Timberlake]

This photo taught me that as we age we gain beauty, complexity, and communicate so much more at a single glance. None of this is possible with early, perfect blooms.

I know that sounds pretty crazy (in some ways) but I mean it -- this photo actually taught me this. I didn't know how meaningful it would become as I was taking this photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amy13/sets/72157628785792965/

[sarah]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6664814985/

the natural world reminds me of the important things. helps me pause & keeps me focused.

[Dana]

I love this image! So stunning.

I'm a native Pacific Northwesterner, and though we're known for cold winter temperatures, rain and lots of snow in the winter, the truth is we don't get snow every winter. In fact, the years we do, we don't get much accumulation in our area at all. I'm not a huge fan, so this is not a "bad" thing to me...however, my husband is a native Southern Californian, and is bummed EVERY year when we don't get snow.

With all of that said, we've got one of the most beautiful landscapes here in the PNW and I wouldn't trade it for anything...snow, rain and all...without these things our little piece of nature wouldn't be lush, green and gorgeous.

Our lives are this way as well...without the "bad", we wouldn't appreciate the "good"...we may not even GET the "good". Nature does things at her own pace, teaching me that I can't control EVERYTHING, that a higher power is at work and that sometimes, I just need to sit back and WAIT. Wait for the season, wait for the change, wait...
Dana

[kayketototee]

The blue sky..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68455656@N06/6665002131/

[Short Run Printing]

So relaxing view! Love the shot too! -Sarah-

[Ruth West]

A beautiful image and wise words too...Nature teaches me faith, balance, to see the beauty in all, even when things collapse! It teaches me to remember the big picture and trust that all is well :)

http://rhwest.blogspot.com

[Sherry]

Walking through a nearby state park just to see what nature is up to is one of the best de-stressors I know. This picture, although photographically isn't the best, does put me back to a certain foot bridge looking through the cattails to watch the coots and the blue-wing teals whose numbers greatly increase each winter - thank you migration patterns.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42677352@N03/6635801259/in/photostream

[melissa]

gorgeous, irene. most recently, nature has inspired me to embrace my wild and to live with more ease.

[koreen]

The light... always, the light... inspires me. But most days I despair of doing justice to it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/koreenphotography/6616135003/in/photostream/

[John]

Firstly wow there are some fantastic shots here super Jealous and inspired. The quality of work on this site is phenomenal.

I am currently in the middle of a series on my Blog about this topic. A collection of photographs I shot while out walking over a two day period. I did try and provide small amounts of information I have learned over the years about each flower or plant not sure It's helpful but take a look I would love to get some feedback.

This was the last post:

http://gfrogstudio.blogspot.com/2012/01/tulip-mania.html

Take care
John

[LeAnne]

Yesterday, I went to a local photography group meeting and we went to a city park afterwards. I took some shots, but I was not feeling very satisfied with my "vision" that day. So, I sat on a bench and just watched the world around me. A little bird came up close and I had my large telephoto lens on the camera, so I was able to get some exceptional shots. So, the lesson here was rest, listen, watch and wait. What you are seeking may come to you if you just sit still long enough and quit trying so hard to "make" it happen. http://www.photosbyleanne.net/2012/01/local-wild-life.html

[WorthIt!]

Sometimes nature reminds us that we are merely visitors...like during this walk along the Jersey shore over Christmas and seeing the damage from the hurricane that remains.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/6668046847/

[Puna]

Some gorgeous photos over here! Sometimes I think that nature can be improved on...

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2012/01/january-6-a-partridge-in-a-pear-tree/