Sep 24 2025
Site Journal #2
Wild Lettuce
Cranapple Tree
On the park bench, a sense of calm washed over me while I reengaged with my surroundings. The sun was beginning to dip and cast long shadows in rich golden light and softly moving the colors of the sky to softer tones as the sun sank down behind the mountains in the distance. I could hear the sounds of life taking place a steady timing of runners, the slow steps of people walking, to the gentle conversing of voices, forming a background noise. My eyes wandered to the peaceful lake with geese gliding overhead and up to the trees with leaves rustling in the evening wind. It was just a moment in time but it was perfect for peaceful thoughts, a simple evening out that gave me the break I needed to simply stop and enjoy life and look around and appreciate the world.
As I took my stroll along the park, I was witnessing little pieces of life around. I encountered a rabbit happily munching away. I did observe it once, startled scurrying into the bushes. I also came across a solitary goose roaming without a care in the world, looking for food, strutting with boldness while honking and quacking loudly, which I am sure was terrorizing anyone that crossed its path. It was fun to get a glimpse into the little mini-dramas of a park.
Capturing Natures Essence
Inspired by the shared experience, I decided to shift my attention from the vast, beautiful sunset to the smaller, more personal moments of people around me. Instead of simply capturing the scenic view, I switched to documenting others enjoying it. I wanted to see it through their eyes, with families or lone individuals capturing a memory now saved in their camera roll. I realized the beauty of the moment wasn't just in the view but in collectively getting personal joy out of it, everyone witnessing it.