The Landscape Photographers Diary - The Little Blue Butterfly
Let’s begin tonights sleep story with some attention to our breath. Take a long slow deep breath in, draw i deeply through your nose. Ballon your lungs and then slowly breathe out a deep long breath. Let all of the air dissipate from your lungs, now breath naturally. It’s time to let yourself relax into tonights sleep story…
The song of summer was a symphony in full swing. The air buzzed with life and energy, the vibrant tune filling every corner of the woodland. Emerald leaves adorned the trees, their rich hue shimmering under the intense rays of the sun. They danced in the warm breeze, rustling and whispering secrets to one another. As you strolled through this magical place, your senses were overwhelmed by the sweet smell of wildflowers and the gentle hum of insects. Your feet followed an old farm track, guided by the golden light that filtered through the canopy above. You caught glimpses of cows in nearby fields, their contented chatter adding to the peaceful ambiance. Ahead lay a small gate, beckoning you deeper into the forest. Nervously, you pushed it open and stepped into the unknown darkness beyond.
As you approach the gate, a sense of anticipation washes over you. It marks the threshold from civilisation to untamed wilderness, a crossroads between managed farmland and the wild unknown. You pause at the gate, relishing this moment of transition, before quietly closing it behind you. The air is heavy with a mix of scents - earth, flowers, and something primal and ancient. You take a deep breath and step into the kaleidoscope of trees that greet you.
The occupants of this woodland are watching you - Silver Birch, Oak, Ash - standing tall and proud but with a hint of wariness in their eyes. As you make your way through the forest, their branches seem to reach out towards you, as if beckoning you deeper into their realm. The trees create a natural canopy above you, like a sheltering roof made of foliage and branches. It feels almost as if they are cradling every step you take.
This is an old, ancient woodland - the trees bear the marks of time and weather on their gnarled trunks and twisted branches. But despite their age and weariness, they exude a quiet strength and resilience. As you stop to observe them, their shapes fascinate you - like giant broccolis sprouting from the earth, with branches that resemble the intricate breathing system of the human body. Pulmo terrae - lungs of the land - that's what these trees are, providing oxygen for all who enter this sacred space.
You can't help but feel grateful for this gift as you inhale deeply, filling your lungs with fresh oxygen from these trees. A sense of revitalization and energy courses through your body, reminding you that nature truly is a source of life and rejuvenation. With a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation, you continue on your journey through this magical woodland
As you venture deeper into the heart of nature, leaving civilization far behind, you become surrounded by the intricacies and wonders of the natural world. The ground beneath your feet is a tapestry of life, teeming with fungi, creatures and plants. All living in harmony. The path before you resembles an tunnel, formed by bending towering trees. Welcoming hands.
Continue through this enchanted passageway, it feels as if you are entering another realm altogether. The walls of the tunnel trees a wooden ceiling that guides you on your path, leading you towards a distant light that beckon you like a doorway to Narnia. As you enter, the light intensifies, casting its radiant beams onto the tree trunks and illuminating the lush bracken growing on the forest floor. The passageway opens into a clearing. Warm sunlight
As you take in the breathtaking view, your eyes are momentarily blinded by the sheer whiteness of it all. It takes a moment for them to adjust, and when they do, you are greeted with a sea of golden fields stretching out into the distance. Wildflowers burst forth from the ground like an explosion of vibrant colors - pinks, purples, yellows, blues - all scattered haphazardly across the landscape. The warm sun beats down on your face as the sweet fragrance of flowers fills your nose - nature's own perfume.
You begin to notice the delicate beings that dance among the flowers, gracefully swaying in the gentle breeze. Jacobs Ladder, Cowslip, Violet, Cornflower - a never-ending list of names that identify each unique flower. Your eye is drawn to the fluttering of butterflies, their scales catching and reflecting the sunlight as they flit from flower to flower.
As you sit before this expanse of life, you can't help but feel small in comparison. Bees buzzing busily from one bloom to another, dragonflies darting through the air with precision, and birds chirping their songs - it's like a bustling city full of inhabitants carrying out their daily tasks. Everything is connected in this harmonious ecosystem.
Lost in thought, you suddenly remember that you have your camera with you. You had gotten so lost in the beauty of nature unfolding before you that you had forgotten yourself for a moment. But now, armed with your camera, you capture the scene before you like a mesmerizing pantomime performance.
Carefully unclipping your trusty backpack, you reveal the treasure within - an old film camera nestled safely in its holdall. Gingerly lifting it out, you make your way over to the edge of the wildflower field, taking care not to trample any of the delicate foliage underfoot. Standing there amidst the vibrant hues and sweet scents of the flowers, you take a moment to choose your subject. Your eyes are drawn to a striking cornflower, its royal blue petals a favorite among the fluttering butterflies. Entranced by its alluring honeyed scent, you position yourself in the ideal spot to capture its beauty on film. Time seemingly stands still as you patiently wait for the next butterfly to grace your lens. Suddenly, a flash of electric blue catches your eye and lands on a nearby flower. Without hesitation, you adjust your focus to capture this new subject - a common blue butterfly. The colors that dance on its wings leave you mesmerized. Glimmering flecks of orange and delicate shades of blue adorn its wings as it playfully flits around your camera. As it basks in the warm glow of the golden hour sun, its wings reflect a stunning frosted blue hue that is both fragile and enchanting at the same time.
You wait and watch in anticipation, your senses heightened as time seems to slow down before you. The mesmerizing blue butterfly appears out of nowhere, its wings a flurry of movement as it darts through the air like a flash of lightning. Its chaotic flight draws the figure of eight before finally settling down gracefully on your flower. You hold your body still, hardly daring to breathe as you reach for your camera. Click, the shutter snaps and captures the beauty of the butterfly in an instant. But just as quickly as it appeared, the butterfly is gone, leaving behind a fleeting moment of pure magic. You sit back with a sigh, releasing the breath you didn't even realize you were holding. The butterfly may have flown away, but your heart is full and your smile wide. This feeling of pure happiness is why you do what you do - capturing these precious moments in nature. Closing your eyes, you allow yourself to fully bask in this euphoria, drifting off into a peaceful slumber amidst the wildflowers and warm summer breeze.