nature
The Science and Nature of Wanderlust, tourism, landmarks for nature buffs and more.
From Cuba With Love
March 2018, what a year full of surprises. Habana, what a beautiful place. A magical gem is full of beauty, from the people to the food, nature, the coffee. I love this picture. I have never seen before sunset so beautiful and peaceful. The sun is resting on the arms of the ocean dress of beautiful bright colors. The ocean is a large bed, made of waves waiting for the sun to lay and rest until the next day. I was there sitting on the Malecon Cubano, enjoying the view with my good friends. What a peaceful moment a perfect combination of happiness and relaxation. I was watching the water dance one side to another. It was like they were celebrating and waiting for the sun to come and rest—such a beautiful moment no camera can catch the perfection of this natural scenery. We are blessed mother earth gives us this view that makes us dream.
By Norma Crenna6 years ago in Wander
Nature
In the end, trees begin to slow their growth and find a suitable resting place. However, a tree’s trunk continues to thicken throughout its lifetime, adding new rings each year to represent ongoing changes. In this way, trees are similar to humans. Although physical growth halts, we continue to grow in a multitude of ways. We develop language for communication, empathy and understanding, and emotions, like happiness, compassion, and love. We endure hardships and storms along the way, just like trees. We fall, we make mistakes, and we get back up. Humans shed that which is no longer needed for life, just as trees drop their dried, depleted leaves on the cold, damp ground each Autumn. We let go of negative energy, troubling memories, excess weight, carbon dioxide, and other unecessary items from our backpacks along our journeys. With this shedding, we turn to anticipation of new growth and maybe even excitement about the future. We set off on a new path, and our branches continue to grow and change. Eventually, we do forge one last fall, and return to the Earth once again.
By Wendy Barrie, MA LMFT, RYT-2006 years ago in Wander
Horseback Riding In Garden of the Gods
Let me take you on a journey through the lens of Tia Jones. I have created a submission that I recently enjoyed, it consists of hiking, horseback riding, and sight-seeing all in one. This image is a visual of Colorado Springs beautiful mountains, our friendly horses at Academy Riding Stables, and the amazing sight of rocks with many different forms and names. This memory was a date day that my husband had surprised me with, I had to choose this photo because it captures so many details and tells a million stories. This photo had now created a new memory to me and my husband's photo gallery, I could never forget this day. I don't have an explanation of how I edit the photo, I just took it and posted it here. I want everyone to enjoy the beauty in this image and share the same feelings I had while taking it. The trip began when we mounted the horses and I felt a sense of security and excitement. We began to head towards the trail, so many cars passed by us on the road waving and smiling at the sight. We approached the trail and as we entered the park, everything seemed so surreal, the mountains looked like green screen literally straight out of a movie, the rocks were forming objects you could never un-see no matter how hard you tried, one of the rocks formed a giant laid on a rock looking up at the sky, another rock formed two camels kissing which is known as The Kissing Camels history says its recorded as the longest kiss in history. As we continue through the trail we learned how you were supposed to lean going uphill or downhill in order to not hurt the horses back, going down you pointed your toes up heels down and slightly leaned forward and uphill you pointed your toes up heels down and slightly leaned back. This info makes me respect horses that much more, they put themselves in a position to be our transportation no matter the condition and that's a true sacrifice. I enjoyed the sunshine on this day and most importantly the group that I was on the trail with. The trainer was so intrigued with Colorado she couldn't stop saying how amazing the atmosphere was compared to Minnesota, she also asked us a lot of questions and seem interested in who we were and where we came from. My image is originally from Colorado Springs, I grew up here and when I say there's no place like home, I mean it no other place I've been compares to home. I would recommend anyone who comes to visit to stop by Academy Riding Stables and take a tour to see what Garden of the Gods has to offer and you'll never forget this place. The clouds this day were as white as snow so perfect and the sky was as clear as crystal lake water. The air was so crisp and clean made you feel as if you were breathing in life with every breath, the horse were so groomed and well behaved they knew exactly where to go every step of the way and we didn't have to pull them away from the bushes if they tried to eat. None of them were stubborn and so friendly and so gentle as if they could read exactly who we were. The dirt was calm didn't have to worry about dust blowing around getting in our eyes and helped the horses along the very path that took us through the trail. The trees were green some tall some short, the looked like they swayed back and forth as we passed by each one, they smelled so fresh and seemed to make you at one with nature. You could hear how the silence called you name telling you that everything was fine and you were safe here, it embraced you with a warm hug from the sun and a sense of security from the horses, trees, and rocks. I shared this beautiful moment with someone I truly care for and love and this memory plays like a recording I never want to turn off, he opened up and showed me a new side of him that makes me proud to see he isn't afraid to try new things with me. I opened my heart and eyes to a whole new world this day, it showed me that the simple things can really make a huge difference in your life and others, you perceive life the way you want to and it can be beautiful or ugly. I share my love for photos so that you can wear my eyes for a chance and get a feel of the goosebumps and heartfelt moment I felt on this very day at this exact moment.
By Tiny Heart6 years ago in Wander
Tobin Park
Tobin Park Tobin Park I sit and I ponder life at the Robert L.B. Tobin Trailhead, and am taken away with all the beauty around me. Lush greens, deep crimsons surrounded in beds of yellow to name a few. The smell of newly fallen rain, the call of nature shaking itself awake after heaven's tears have gently caressed the earth. I have been in San Antonio for over 20 years and there are places and areas I have never seen. Or I should say that I did not pay attention until now. I have allowed so much time to pass before realizing life has so much to offer in simplicity. I truly feel grateful that I realized this in such a wonderful city like San Antonio, Texas. For now, I will just focus on this park…
By Rufus Patton6 years ago in Wander
Mountain Therapy
It felt like we were sitting on the top of the world. Only a 4 mile hike roundtrip but the top was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I've spent my entire life in the mountains, having lived in some of the most incredible places and cherished some of the most breathtaking views Colorado has to offer. But for some reason, this time, the view was better.
By Morgan Valentish6 years ago in Wander
A Common Loon In Late-April
This shot of a Common Loon (Great Northern Loon) was snapped on April 22nd 2018 around 8 AM, shortly after this loon migrated back for breeding season. Shot on a Sony DSC-H400, free hand, the photo has not been touched up or had any filters applied or lighting adjusted, just cropped to show the loon in more detail. The loon is lit by the morning sun, no flash used, and is resting on the surface of Lake Champlain after recently returning from what appeared to be an unsuccessful dive. Upon a successful dive, loons can typically be seen eating their catch, this photo was taken seconds after the loon returned to the surface without a fish, just after the ripples from its dive dissipated and it began to resume swimming.
By Michael Hanson-Metayer6 years ago in Wander
