The Great Outdoors
I have written before about how lucky I am to have a huge forest behind our property, where I can walk in peace and quiet, along with the kangaroos. Here’s a short video I took of a kangaroo regarding me approach then bouncing off.
Sometimes I listen to podcasts, or music but often I just walk and clear my mind.
Forest Bathing?
Maybe I’ve been practising forest bathing without even realising it!
Forest bathing and forest therapy (or shinrin-yoku) broadly means taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Source
I often take photos when I’m out walking, as I notice things and want to capture them. To me it’s a well known track and the scenery can be quite dull, but to others it might seem completely different and inviting. You know how we all get used to our normal environment but others see it differently? I’m always happy to share my walking track.
In winter it can seem a bit dull but I still enjoy the exercise, the sights, the smells and the sounds – kangaroos make quite a bit of noise as they bound away!
We’ve had a lot of rain in recent days and these water drops were hanging off the trees like sparkling diamonds and there are often toadstools and lichen growing, adding a pop of colour. The foggy wintry days give it an atmospheric feel and i always feel better after my walk.
Then as I return home from my walk, I get these delightful views.
Then there are the fabulous rainbows after the rain.
The great outdoors has so much to offer!
Today for instance it was 4 degrees celsius, wet, cold and foggy but we still went out riding on our local rail trail with some hardy friends. It was invigorating and we soon warmed up as we rode along. Never let a chance go by is my motto!
The theme for #SundayStills is the great outdoors this week. Terri, and other bloggers who join in for #SundayStills, will all have some awesome photos of the great outdoors, so make sure you visit Terri to see her post and her wonderful photos.
Next week there’s a break from for Sunday Stills but it returns on July 11 with the theme of Under the Trees.
Thanks for stopping by.
Debbie 🙂
All my Sunday Stills posts can be found here
Recent posts:
- I’d rather be… #SundayStills
- That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Scent
- You’re amazing just the way you are
- The Nation of Deb’s World
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Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
You definitely live in a beautiful spot Deb. I’m so grateful to live where we do too – out of the city, surrounded by nature, a walk or bike ride whenever we like along a lovely river – an estuary nearby – we Aussies are really blessed (even when the mornings are super cold!)
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Yes we are lucky living where we live Leanne, I never take it for granted 🙂
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That was a huge kangaroo! Beautiful sunset photo Deb
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Thanks Alison, the roo just stood there watching me, so I’m glad I managed to get some video of him.
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You linked early today, Debbie! You must be outdoors now riding your bike again 🙂 You are blessed indeed to have a forest behind your property! Who cares if it is the same scenery? I have been amazed at the forest within a few steps of my front door, too, and have so much exploring to do. Too hot today to enjoy outdoors, but even this winter, I can snowshoe in the same spots. I think I grew up forest-bathing when my parents took us outdoor every weekend, especially to Yosemite and Sequoia Nat’l Park every summer. I always love your positive attitude that exudes from your posts, you definitely embrace life to the fullest!
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Yes you’ve had some hot weather over there haven’t you? Thanks for your lovely comment Terri, I just enjoy my blogging show much 🙂 It must shine through!
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Breathtaking photos! And the short video of the kangaroo in the forest made me laugh. It seems so delightful and very different from the deer I was used to seeing in the forests up in Washington State.
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Yes there was quite a few kangaroos but this one was on his own just standing there watching me. We also have deer! Thanks for visiting.
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I love your rainbow. Were those colours natural?
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Thanks Anne, yes the colours aren’t enhanced very much at all.
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Beautiful pictures Deb. You are so lucky to have the forest so close to walk in.
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Thanks Carla, I am very fortunate and I don’t take it for granted!
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What a gorgeous backyard! You are so lucky to be able to just walk out your door and into the forest. It’s so hard for me to imagine seeing a kangaroo in the wild.
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I really am lucky Janis and I try to make the most of it as often as I can. There are so many kangaroos around at the moment and they aren’t too scared of us either.
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I totally agree with you Deb about how we get used to our environment and scenery and begin to maybe take it for granted or not see what others would see. That video of the kangaroo is so cool. I have friends who live in Alaska and she often shares video and photo of moose which is so crazy to me, but normal to them.
I loved your photos.
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Yes Kirstin, we see things everyday the same old same old but others would find it amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed my kangaroo video, it was just standing there watching me for ages so I thought I’d try and capture him.
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Just lovely! Yes I’ve heard of forest bathing & glad you get to do that. Your little Vid will be a hit with your readers! I am listening to a book via Audible called The Hidden Life of Trees & I reckon you would find it interesting & probably, like me, never look at trees in the same way again!
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Thanks Denyse, forest bathing is good term! I hope the kangaroo video is popular, it was fun to be able to capture him.Yes I saw that book as freebie and am keen to listen to it! Squares are all about trees next month so that will be fun!
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Lovely photos. It’s been 40 degrees celsius here in Vancouver, BC. A heatwave like we’ve never seen. Sadly 69 people have died from over the past two days, most of them seniors.
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I heard it’s been hot for you over there, take care!
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It’s going down a bit today, but now forest fires are springing up throughout the province. Also threats of thunderstorms. Summers never used to be this dramatic.
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I love forest bathing as well. But you have kangaroos and we have bears. Somehow, I’m not sure that’s fair! 😀
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No bears are a bit more intimidating I think but then I wouldn’t like to get into an argument with a kangaroo either!
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