Find Your Zen: Connecting with Nature

• Egidio Leitao

Lens-Artists Challenge #303 – Connections

Into the Woods

For this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, Donna (of Wind Kisses) proposed a fascinating topic: Connections. In one section of her post, she wrote:

Have you ever thought about how photography connects the world? Nobody sees the world exactly the same way you see it, and our impressions are as unique we are.

What a thoughtful statement! It immediately made me think about my photography journey and how I connect with people and the world around me. Photography has opened up a world of possibilities for me. Besides connecting with people, photography takes me back to my roots and reconnects me with nature. Nature calms me, nature nurtures me, and nature inspires me. Therefore, my post will be dedicated to that one connection source: nature. I will show a handful of photos with nature connections, whether I am connecting with nature or wildlife in natural connections. The photos will speak for themselves. Click on any image for its larger size. Although each photo shows wildlife connections, I also felt like including a misconnection with a Blue Jay puzzled over the metal birds on the feeder.

“Now you’re on your own. Only me beside you.
Still, you’re not alone. No one is alone.
Truly. No one is alone.”
[“No One Is Alone,” by Stephen Sondheim]


Last week, John (of Journeys with Johnbo) brought the AI topic to Lens-Artists’ challenges. The varied responses we got were amazing. We were all unified that we may use AI tools in our edits, but AI art is not what we attempt to do on our blogs.

I am looking forward to seeing how you create your connections this week. I can hardly wait for your posts. Be sure to check Donna’s post for more information and inspiration, and don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to it so we can easily find it in the Reader.

Next week, Ritva (of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography) will be our host. Are you ready to be challenged by Ritva’s unique and captivating photography? Check her blog on Saturday at 12 noon (EDT in the USA). Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

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55 thoughts on “Find Your Zen: Connecting with Nature”

  2. You are right, Egidio. These photos speak for themselves. I think that IS what nature does, allows us to realize the connections we have and reflect in it. Your title was right on. Finding your zen. I smiled at the blue jay, and loved the blue winged birds at the feeder as well as the butterflies. My favorite is your feature. Those trails are exactly what calls to my zen. Thank you. wonderful!

  4. Donna, the feature photo was a last-minute addition. I thought it’d be like an invitation to go into the woods and connect with nature. Thank you for your feedback and on-going support.

  5. Wow!
    Such lovely examples!
    You are right.
    Photography beautifully captures unique perspectives and connections.
    Your nature-inspired journey is inspiring, showcasing how wildlife and nature calm, nurture, and inspire us.

  6. Great response Egidio! I was thinking the same thing. Photography has connected me in great many ways. I’ll talk about it in my post, hopefully tomorrow.

  10. Such a clever and delighful post. I love how you connect with Nature, and every creature you show here does its own connecting too.

  11. What a lovely collection of images of wildlife connecting! I especially liked the little birds around the bird bath and the butterflies 🙂

  13. Beautiful nature scenes Egidio 🙂. The conference at the bird-bath is so similar to us humans 😀..

  15. Beautiful images Egidio, I especially love the way you captured the feeding birds 😊

  27. Egidio, I’d not noticed your skill at bird photography. Very nice, and connecting with nature is truly on point for this week’s connections theme.

  30. Fabulous images of nature and your wonderful connection to it as a photographer, Egidio! Love all the bird pics, and I see the puzzled expression on the blue jay’s face 🙂 I Love the goldfinches around the birdbath and the forest path that connects us all to nature!

  34. We can feel how strong your connection with nature is, Egídio. It shows in every shot, your caring and sensitive eye. I love all your photos this week, impossible to pick one!

  35. I think your photos have been an inspiration to many with your connection to nature. They are beautiful. Thoughts on AI from myself: I like the challenge of creating in-camera, but that is a personal choice. I use LR and PS when feeling a need for it-we have it lets use it. In a way, that isn’t any different from small edits that AI gives out, or for that matter a camera can give out. But I feel that the desire of knowing how to actually shoot a photograph may go wayside with AI. Photography is a skill and honestly AI isn’t, but it is attractive to the eye and can have it uses. I think that connection is here to stay but i do prefer the going out and take a shot a life instead.

  37. Kathleen, your words brighten my day. Many thanks. I also appreciate your thoughts on AI (probably about my other post). Your point about AI not being a skill is right on target. Thanks again.

  39. Your photos are so beautiful, and I just love all these examples in nature of connections, especially the birds feeding each other. My husband and I always delight in seeing the birds at our feeders doing this, either as mates or parents to fledglings.

  46. An original and beautiful approach to the challenge this week Egídio. I agree, as photographers our connection with nature is very strong. It’s noticing and paying attention to the little things – like your wonderful image of the birds at the feeder, or the 2 face-to-face lizards. Beautiful and thoughtful response!

  48. Egidio, your wildlife pictures are awesome, each one tells such a lovely story. Thank you for sharing your connection with wildlife and nature, I love seeing them all!

  50. This is such a beautiful post, Egidio. Nature is everything to me – and I guess we feel much the same for saving it, restoring it, loving it. Without nature we are nothing, and we will die with it. Your beautiful photography and your engaging thoughts shine and lighten our way. No favourites – this is a perfect post.

  51. Ann-Christine, your words brightened my day. Thanks for the on-going support and compliment. You said it best here: “without nature we are nothing.” Precious words indeed. Many thanks!

  54. Love the colorful parrots and the goldfiches, Egidio. We frequently have lesser goldfinches in our yard and I call them “golden nuggets.”

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