Capturing Fall

I recently wrote about walking with my girls.  Being outside, being in nature is my favourite way to spend time with them.  On this particular November morning (the 8th), we had nowhere to go in particular, but I was feeling compelled to be outside with them.   

I can't say that they were feeling the same enthusiasm that I was.....

but that's ok, because I know that I will find something to interest them....

...or at least Karis.  

Our town is full of incredible trails and rivers to explore.   On this day, we walked the salmon channel trails.

And of course I brought snack.

I pointed out how the leaves had gathered along the end of a branch...

We found evidence of natures life cycle....

Started a new collection.....

Added to our existing collection.....

And then we continued to move on for a new experience.....

running through this forest on a crisp Sunday morning is such a great feeling.  

I love the look of fall and I know that I stretch Kamille's patience just a bit when I start to get into capturing the details in photos, but sometimes getting a great shot of nature -  the look that makes up a particular season - is just as exciting for me as great shots of my girls.  

There were no salmon in the channels this day, except for the odd carcass that was left behind.

karis loves to throw things in the water!  

Kamille started to get a bit grumpy so I handed her over my camera (with the strap wrapped around her neck in a "this better not fall past your shoulders" position).  I encouraged her to capture some shots of what she was looking at.  Me, of course..

and she got Karis and I to pose.  

The rest are a blurry collection of me,  my legs and butt or me talking and looking funny!  ; )  It got her smiling again though!  

Out of the trails and on the path closer to home.  Kamille know the way from here.  She took charge.

And I lagged behind capturing just a few more details of fall.

A great morning walk with my girls always sets me up for a good rest of the day with them.  xoxo

When The Sun Sets

Do you remember when you first noticed or had a sense of time?  A sense of what a day actually meant, a sense of how long a week, a month or a year was?  Or when the change of season started to become more than just a change of clothes?

I have always wondered about time.  I have distinct memories of sitting in my grade six classroom and thinking about the actual year and how that number will always get bigger and did it seriously start at 0?   I can recall walking down my street one day and all of a sudden feeling the idea of a week that had gone by quickly and wondered why some feel like they do pass quickly and others don't.  And I can remember the day when I began to notice just how different one hour can make when we turn the clocks back each fall.

The earth moves, time changes, the sun sets differently.  It all starts to make sense and work together when I understand it or take time to notice the differences from day to day and season to season.   I think that being interested in photography also causes me to pick up on these small changes with light.   I'm always looking for light.

Earlier in November, I found myself running to the light of a late afternoon sunset with my girls.  It was a last minute decision so we had to get ourselves up high where we were still able to soak up that yummy golden light.

The university in town is one of my most favourite places to be for so many reasons.  Its up high, its new, modern and the views are spectacular.  Its cafeteria is a great spot for "dinner under $10" and meet up with friends and their kids on a Friday night.  But mostly, the library is where I spend my Sunday afternoons studying amongst the young and ambitious students.  

One day, when I grow up, I hope to be a school counsellor here.  It would be an amazing job working with older youth!  My fingers are crossed.  

this is the library

But until then, we play while the sun goes behind the mountains.

extra large shadow people

she still sits like this sometimes and it reminds me that she still is my baby.  

The highlight for my girls is the awesome hill that they can run down.  

Or just sit and take in the view....

while big sis shows her how to roll down and run back up.....

She did this over and over again......

And it wasn't until I turned away from her to snap a shot of Karis, that she rolled right into a mud puddle at the bottom.....

My poor girl was distraught.

And boy did she ever get pissed off at me for taking one extra photo of it.

But the sun was leaving and I really wanted to enjoy the moment with my girls.  Luckily I had snacks to comfort her with!

Golden deliciousness....and a little mud.

 We really are so lucky to be able to take this in on a gorgeous fall afternoon.

My girls didn't understand why were were rushing up here to beat the sun.  They don't yet know the time difference between a fall sunset or an early summer sunset.  But me, I love how nature provides us this little shift in time and experience from season to season.  It forces me to be more mindful of my days and my experience of nature.  

I am grateful for  my big backyard, and the minute by minute, day by day, season by season experiences it gives to us.