Looking for “Intrusions of Grace” in Nature

This may be the easiest to find, especially with our glorious fall this year. Not intrusions, but infusion of common grace. I’m amazed because everywhere I turn, I see beauty that’s out there and so accessible to me. Like their raison d’etre is for me to behold and enjoy. From the macro scale like these scenery at Banff National Park:

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To the medium range, nature in our city streets:

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To the micro scale. Last long weekend, I walked the Douglas Fir Trail. Again, I’m grateful for our urban parks:

And what an apt occasion, Thanksgiving Day, for me to discover all these minute wonders on the Trail. First, the colours:

Nature in the miniscule… the varieties of berries. Black against red:

Red against green:

And these pure whites like pearls in the undergrowth:

And the vibrant lives on two fallen twigs… I was mesmerized:

If we’re intruded by grace, I’m more than willing to give in.

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All photos taken by Arti of Ripple Effects in the fall of 2011. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

15 thoughts on “Looking for “Intrusions of Grace” in Nature”

  1. Gorgeous! I work in a University library, but in the basement! No windows, so your lovely photos cheered me up.

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    Thanks Ti… glad to provide some visual relief.

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  2. So glorious! These photos make me want to get out and enjoy God’s creation. I love city streets like that with a canopy of trees!

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    Those trees only cover about 3 blocks but yes, what a street.

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  3. Stunning photos. That Douglas Fir Trail looks intriguing! And I love the way you presented it by scale. Something to think about.

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    Thanks Michelle. Our fall has been gorgeous but these couple of days the temp. have dipped. Winter is coming real soon… and the prediction is a record cold one too. You’ll be rid of our Canadian winters soon. I’m sure that’s one thing you won’t miss. 😉

    Arti

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    1. Well, I am down here and it is 18C before 11 in the morning….! At home we are courting snow…

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      Michelle,

      Most of the leaves are gone now, but we’re still having brilliant sunshine and the temp. remains around 5 – 10C during day time. So it’s really quite nice, much better than the east having to deal with an early snowstorm. My best wishes to you in your new home. What a contrast! 🙂

      Arti

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  4. These photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them! 🙂

    The Douglas Fir Trail in Edworthy Park a must next time you’re here.

    A.

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  5. Arti, these would make a gorgeous calendar. I love especially the shots of lichen and leaves. And I remember your photos down that tree-lined street through the seasons.

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    Yes, I was surprised to find how beautiful the ground was, all layered with leaves and lives. And you’re right, that’s the street. I go back there every now and then to check on the streetscape. It’s beautiful in all seasons.

    A.

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  6. lovely. so enjoyed going from the grand scale to the ground scale. I always think that Summer is my fave season, and maybe it is. But when Fall comes, I feel something instinctual, something homey….

    I would love to take these colors you show and knit something with them. Fall and knitting and all the russets and golds and maples colors seem to translate so well in something knitted. Haven’t a clue, though.

    thanks for taking us on your walk. Always, always keen to see pictures!

    BTW, completely different note, went to the film MONEYBALL last week. Very American, I guess, in that it focuses on b’ball and how a Cali team figured out winning scientifically but you might enjoy it for B Pitt. Nah. Better to watch A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT.
    Looking forward, however, to the silliness of the new 3 Musketeers movie!

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    oh,

    Knitting sounds wonderful. Also some nature projects like actually pressing the leaves and make some collages or what not.

    As for the movies, Moneyball I haven’t seen but its high acclaims may just propel it to Oscar glory. I’m looking for some Festival films to be released in our theatres, e.g. “A Dangerous Method” Keira Knightly, Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen. Also, hopefully “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy” John Le Carre’s book adaptation will come our way, with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth…etc. I finally saw Sarah’s Key, one year after it was shown in Film Festivals.

    Arti

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  7. So very beautiful. The colors seem more vibrant this year. One day I want to go to Banff!

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    Ruth,

    Banff is a “must-see”. I’ll be happy to be your guide!

    Arti

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  9. Hi, Arti — I am in love with your countryside! I’ve never been to that part of Canada, and seeing these makes me want to dash to the airport and hop a plane. Or a train would be better still, so I could savor cross country. It is simply beautiful, all the lovely things you seen. What a wonderful place in which to live. I agree with Diana that knitting something from those colors would be divine. Honestly, you really have it perfectly! I hope it lasts a bit.

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    jeanie,

    I’d love to see you do something in your arts with these fantastic fall colors! Hopefully on your future posts.

    Also, all the photos other than the top two were all taken in my City. That’s why I really appreciate Urban Parks, where I can experience nature right in the heart of the city.

    Arti

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  10. What beautiful photos, Arti! A real tribute to the gorgeous autumn we’re enjoying at present. It’s like a last blaze of glory before monochrome winter sets in, isn’t it?

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    litlove,

    You’re right… basking in the last days of a colorful fall. And our monochrome winter is forecast to be record cold.

    Arti

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  11. Hi, Arti,

    I’m home at last – ten days is a long time! And what a treat to find your fall photos. The beauty of your part of the world never fails to astonish me. I confess autumn is my favorite season, and it was pure heaven to be able to see some of its color as I traveled north and then south again this year.

    I smiled to see your avenue of trees again – so lovely. And the details of the lichen and “pearls” are wonderful. I mentioned to oh on her Archie at the feeder post that I really am enjoying the possibilities of post-processing more and more. But for photos like these, it’s not necessary or desirable. The world-as-it-is is quite enough.

    Sorry to hear those words – “record cold”. Enjoy every warm day you’re gifted!

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    Linda,

    Welcome back. Ten days without getting to your own computer is testing I’m sure. But you had much more important things to deal with … Blogging has to be put aside, that I can understand. Well, the weather is still bright and sunny, the temp. hasn’t dropped much. So yes, we’re blessed indeed this fall. Don’t even want to think about the next few months coming up. I’m just enjoying whatever we’ve got right now, albeit the leaves have just about all gone now.

    Good to have you back.

    Arti

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  13. Gorgeous photos – autumn is my favourite time of the year, just love those colours. The mountain shots remnd me of New Zealand – I’m almost homesick looking at them! Thank you for sharing.

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    Tracey,

    Interesting that you relate the mountains with NZ… since we’re so far apart. I’d love to have NZ weather here. It’s really getting chilly nowadays, got our first snow a couple of days ago.

    Arti

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