Trees

Have you ever noticed that trees are not that photogenic? They just don’t look nearly as good on a picture as they do in real life; pictures just can’t do them justice, (I understand trees - that’s my excuse too.:-)

Why am I writing about non-photogenic trees? Because the trees in Nova Scotia are absolutely brilliant. The reds, the oranges, the yellows and the greens are just incredible. Coming from Alberta (where it snowed 6 inches this week – Hee, Hee) these colours are not lost on me.  Not only are the colors incredible, each kind of tree displays their colours in their own time, extending the season for many weeks, but nothing beats the maples which have been displaying its many colours for the last four weeks.

Yet there is something in me that wants to capture the beauty, wants that perfect picture – wants to own a piece of the beauty. Maybe it is just for memory, or maybe to boast – if even just a little bit. Whatever the reason, I find myself to often regretting not having a camera instead of just enjoying the beauty in front of me. And this is not just with colourful trees. How much scenery, or how many scenes have I missed because I am trying to dig out my camera or peering thru its tiny lens, all the while missing what’s right in front of me. Hopefully one day I will learn to just relax and enjoy the beauty in front of me – hopefully, but I doubt it.  

Another thing about trees is that their beauty is far greater than the sum of its parts. Look at an individual leaf, it is hard to find one that stands out. Most have some kind of flaw or another; misshaped, broken, a hole or any sort of imperfection. But put them together and let the sun shine on them they are completely amazing. I think there is a lot we could learn from the trees.