The Golden Leaves of Fall

At the golden peak of fall colors, I packed my camera and several lenses to capture the spectacular beauty and grandeur. When I arrived at the Botanic Garden, the spectacle of colors and falling leaves nearly overwhelmed my senses with their beauty. I wanted to laugh and cry at the intensity and scope of so much beauty all-at-once! I actually did laugh out loud, but have no idea if anyone heard me. If they did, I hope they laughed with me and not at me for being so giggly!

The Perspective of a Leaf

I stumbled on a row of golden maples ablaze with color. At first, I just stood there gaping and giggling at the blast of color. Then I tried to capture the grandeur of all the golden leaves with my wide-angle lens—a Canon 24-105— but thought most my pictures fell short. I had captured the gold, but the enormity of what I felt was missing.

I looked at the trees from every perspective and finally wound up on my belly. It was from down there, flat on the ground, that I found the peaceful perspective of a fallen leaf. The enormity of it all, littered on the ground around me, was at rest. Each leaf—at peace after a year of giving life—ending it all in a brilliant display of surrender.

The Real Golden Gift

As I lay there enjoying the glorious view, a woman walked up with her two children.

“Are you okay!!!??” she asked urgently.
Apparently, seeing me lying on the ground alarmed her. I’d twisted myself in various directions to look at leaves that caught my eye. As a result, I probably looked like I had fallen into a crumpled heap. The things we photographers will do for a picture! Yet I felt serene and light as a fallen leaf. 

I smiled up at her worried face and put her at ease. “I’m fine. Just looking at these amazing leaves. Do you want to see my pictures?”
She said, “Oh my God. I’m so glad you’re okay!”

We shared my photos and a glorious moment in the beauty of nature.

It’s nice to know people care enough to see if help is needed. Now that is another golden gift.

To view more trees and fall colors, click here: https://www.natureshealingimages.com/lakes-landscapes-trees/