Walk in Wonder
There’s something uniquely calming about a slow walk in nature. Most mornings, Helen and I start the day with an early walk. Sometimes it’s brisk, even involving a bit of running—it’s a fantastic way to start the day, especially under the golden autumn light. Lately, I’ve taken to trail running, but even more enjoyable, or at least very different, is a slow walk with a camera in hand.
Here in Wells, we are lucky to be surrounded by nature. I wander the many trails, through woods and over hills, looking and listening. I try to cultivate looking with fresh eyes - as if for the first time. On these September mornings, the world opens up in quiet symphonies—misty paths, dew-laden leaves, sunlight streaming through branches, and birdsong in the air.
Photo-walks allow me to slow down, release my anxieties, and truly see the world. The more I look, the more I notice. Armed with a macro lens, I seek out tiny marvels—the curve of a fern, a spider’s web glistening in morning light, water droplets clinging to leaves, or small flowers and insects. It’s about capturing beauty, but also about reflecting on life—the fresh growth, the vibrant bloom, the inevitable decay and death. It’s all there, the moving, painful, and beautiful cycle of existence.
There’s a spiritual quality to these moments—a sense of being alive within the embrace of nature, a connection to the universe’s creative energy, and a glimpse of something or someone greater that I might call ‘God.’ I have a sense of a Presence within, among and all around.
For me photography is a wonderful contemplative practice, leading to wonder wonder and the invitation to embrace life’s mysteries, offering a sense of hope amidst the profound cycles of life and death.
Here are some images from a couple of morning walks this past few days.
