 Seeing nature NeighborsNoticing practice: Choose something you normally avoid or overlook, notice the details and your reactions with less judgment and more curiosity. For most of my life, I loathed marigolds. In my hometown, they are everywhere —lining streets, filling planters, decorating signage. To me, they felt smelly, loud, and inescapable. Then, one day I tried a new approach to noticing these flowers. Instead of approaching marigolds as subjects, I approached them as neighbors—as a living presence within the shared place of Mantorville, MN.
This kind of noticing practice asks:
In times of personal or collective transition, it can be difficult to know how to be in right relationship with the places we inhabit. We move through landscapes quickly, often without noticing how they are shaping us or affecting our sense of belonging. In these moments nature asks us to slow down—not as a preference, but as a necessity. Whether through photography, walking, writing, or quiet observation, the practice is the same: to show up repeatedly, attentively, and without urgency. Over time, this way of relating fosters a deeper sense of belonging.  Seeing Identity ShiftsWhen we slow down and deepen the way we pay attention, we begin to see that who we are is not separate from where we are. We carry our histories, our responses, and our sense of belonging across the land we inhabit. In moments of transition, our sense of self can feel unsettled. We look for new definitions, new roles, new frameworks that might anchor us. We flit between what was familiar and what is unknown, looking for a language to describe the shift. We want definitions, labels, certainties. And yet, sometimes the most reliable ground isn’t a new identity—it is re‑learning how to belong right where we are. Place becomes a teacher through this lens. Not because it instructs us with answers, but because it reflects the ways we show up. In this way, identity becomes a living relationship—a shared narrative that continues to unfold rather than a fixed label we carry around.
A practice of attentive noticing—whether through photography, walking, or quiet reflection—asks you to:
As you cultivate this practice, something subtle begins to happen: identity stops being a thing you perform and becomes a way you relate. When identity is formed through attention, it becomes expansive, adaptable, and grounded—capable of holding transitions without losing coherence.  Seeing perspectives as SupportIf we are paying attention, nature has a way of supporting our ever-changing emotional needs. I find that when I take time to notice the little things around me, I feel closer to life and less likely to take it for granted. Focusing on everyday beauty brings a sense of contentment no matter where I am.  Noticing the small details can support closeness and simplicity. Try this when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need comfort.
Paying attention to the wider picture can support wonder and expansion. Try this when you’re feeling ungrounded and need a sense of connection.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or want to focus on comfort, try noticing the small details around you. If you’re feeling ungrounded or want to focus on connection, try attending to the broader view. If you’re unsure how you feel or what you need, try both and see what arises.  Seeing Subtle BeautyIf we pay attention, our personal stories shape how we notice the world around us. Early in my life, I often moved quickly through familiar scenes without much intention—I saw the surface, but not the deeper rhythms underneath. It wasn’t until I had more life experience, a refined sense of what truly matters to me, and something meaningful I wanted to express that I began to notice with intention rather than simply reacting to what was in front of me. Artist and poet, Gabriele Glang, once described my work as “spare, elegant, concise—like a poem. Imperfection, wabi-sabi, haiku.” Those words resonated with me because they reflect not just how I see, but how I live: with care, patience, sensitivity, and a willingness to encounter mystery rather than demand tidy explanations.
This subtle way of attending—of being fully present—has helped me reframe some of the most difficult times in my life. Instead of trying to control every circumstance or rush toward answers, I learned to revel in slow unfolding and find delight in mystery. We have all been confronted with life’s mysteries in the past few years of living through a global pandemic, which challenges us to let go of control and embrace patience. When you feel overwhelmed or unsettled, try taking a slow walk through your surroundings and turn your concerns over to subtle beauty. Here are a few gentle invitations you might explore:
 Seeing Nature NourishmentKim Manley Ort and her 2021 project "Seeing Clearly" prompted me to listen for sounds out in the woods on a winter afternoon. With that intention, I heard the woodpeckers. Specifically, I heard a Pileated Woodpecker. For a more biological and ecological perspective on this amazing bird, please read this creatively written blog by Ken Bevis, a DNR Stewardship Wildlife Biologist, "Just About the Coolest Bird Around: the Pileated Woodpecker."
I watched this woodpecker continue to peck at the exact same spot. Sure, there were micro-movements, but this bird never jumped trees or even to a new spot on the same tree. Woodpeckers don’t move when nourishment is being received and, when nourishment ends, they fly away, laughing joyfully! During my photo practice that afternoon, I followed the woodpecker's lead and made micro-movements between exposures. Here's an example of how minor movements can change an image. What do you notice about how the micro-movements changed these two?
Here are additional perspectives to consider:
Spending the afternoon learning from the woodpecker, I've decided to experience 2021 with greater woodpecker-like intention put effort into experiences that provide (more often than not) nourishment. And when it's time to move on, I will do so with (at least a little bit) of gratitude and laughter.  Nature-based art supports a mindful life. When I go into nature, I am fully alive, energized, and in-tune with the world. Noticing beauty in nature has been my most consistent practice in mindfulness. When we practice mindfulness, there are beneficial opportunities. We have a chance to:
Since the term mindfulness is an abstract concept, here are a few ways one might describe the experience.
 Nature-based art is a wonderful tool in helping us to simply secure our connection to a meaningful, healthy life. Bringing nature-based art into our homes, offices, and social media spaces, we can receive the benefits of a mindfulness practice as we go about our day-to-day lives. Here are three ideas for beginning a nature-based art mindfulness practice:
Mindfulness is a practice; it becomes easier and more beneficial over time. Nature imagery can make your mindfulness practice simple, accessible, and stress-free. How have you used art + nature to stay mindful?
 Beauty. Courage. Curiosity. Love. Nature photography has helped me become more aware of my values. I keep these values in focus by regularly exploring nature with my camera.  Yes. It’s absolutely possible to make great images using your camera on automatic and pointing the lens at nature’s stunning beauty. To tell your story through images, though, takes self-awareness, thoughtfulness, an understanding of the way your camera sees, and an ability to navigate manual settings - even on a cell phone.
I’ve found that by taking on the challenges of making meaningful images with a camera, I've also been presented with ample opportunities to become more aware of my surroundings, which has slowly changed the way I see the world. Being thoughtful, understanding, and capable in making images has transformed not only my photographs, but also my life. How has your life been impacted by nature photography?
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