Winds no longer blow
From cold Arctic ice
Snow stays far to north
Winter pays her price
Days growing longer
Nature now smiling
Winter’s time shall pass
Spring begins dialing
Nature’s busy tone
Some days, springtime halts
Hibernation plays
Winter’s final waltz
Trees wait with patience
Soon nature will green
Sun replacing clouds
Spring’s finest cuisine
Seasons come and go
Nature makes her call
Time for winter’s end
Spring’s voice now enthralls
Originally published March, 2021.
The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.
By observing nature, the best pace is a snail’s pace.
Edwin May Teale (1899-1980) was an American naturalist, photographer, and writer. In 1966, he became the first naturalist to earn a Pulitzer Prize.
Whispering tree
Spring renews season’s lease
Building each leaf
Observing landscape’s peace
Praising blue skies
Creator shares His love
Holding time still
Sharing daylight above
Warming ground swells
Spring arrives to embrace
Stirring with life
Breathing with nature’s grace
Connecting hope
Creator at doorstep
Refreshing trust
Lighting journey’s small steps
Exhaling joy
Spring follows daily plan
Writing each page
Lifting spirits of man
Uplifting love
Creator’s whispers spun
Setting table
Rising with morning’s sun
Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land
Sheltering nature’s glory until spring
Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers
Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing
Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray
Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling
Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors
Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring
Ancient trees appear to wait in repose
Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out
Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring
Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout
Never to worry, winter fades away
Coming on schedule, spring colors each day
Originally published January, 2021.
Spring offers an invitation to leave home in order to enjoy a walk at one of two nearby Metro Parks, which are located minutes from Canal Winchester, Ohio. Chestnut Ridge is well-known as the furthest west outcropping of the Appalachian range of mountains. Walnut Woods shares a wooded landscape, much of which used to be a commercial tree farm.
One of the precious locations at Walnut Woods Metro Park is the enormous American sycamore tree, which is located along the Monarch Trail. On the left, an early spring look at the developing canopy of leafy branches. On the right, the girth of the tree’s truck fills up the camera lens.
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park offers a moderate to difficult series of trails, but always be sure to bring a camera. The park is maintained in its natural state so fallen branches and trees are allowed to rest peacefully on the ground away from the trails. On the left, a growth of moss surrounds much of a hollowed out tree stump. On the right, a hilltop garden witnesses the early arrival of daffodils, which proves spring is well on its way.
Returning to Walnut Woods later in the spring, one can immediately witness the maturity displayed in the park. On the left, an opening in the green vegetation offers a camera view of Walnut Creek, which meanders through a portion of the park. On the right, a tranquil spot is found along the trail in the Tall Pines area of the park.
The final pair of photos come from Chestnut Ridge. On the left, the gentle hillside is framed by numerous trees with a delightful meadow below. On the right, a typical trail begins the ascent up the hillside. Notice the natural surface of trail, which found throughout the park.
Back in January, 2025, autumn and winter Ohio photos were shared. Readers are encouraged to access the gallery through this link: Buckeye Photo Gallery #1.
Blessed sunrise light
Opportunity’s window—
Day’s fresh song composed
Vapor of spring’s breath
Freshest, greenest life rising—
Gentleness reborn
Ocean’s rhythmic waves
Touched by Creator’s passion—
Tireless energy
It has been quite some time since some of my photography has been posted. Here are some camera captures from the past few months. Enjoy a Buckeye journey with filled with images from spring, autumn, and winter.
Sometime in April, 2024, these photos were taken at Walnut Woods Metro Park, which is a short drive from my home. On the left, Walnut Creek peacefully flows along a boundary of the park. On the right, an unidentified bird enjoys a quiet moment surveying the landscape below.
My camera accompanied me on a neighborhood walk in October, 2024. The tree-lined boulevard welcomes visitors with brilliant autumn colors. A pair of ravens perched rooftop captured my attention. They pretty much ignored my presence.
Recently, my wife and I were dog sitting for our oldest daughter and her family while they were traveling. The date was December 29, and we experienced very unusual weather for this time of the year. A thunderstorm arrived, followed by warming inspiration from the sun, and we captured this nearly full rainbow from the backyard patio.
New Year’s winter comeback as photographed from our home’s deck (January 3, 2025).
While putting this gallery together, it seemed appropriate to allow God’s Word to have the final thought. From Psalm 96:11-12:
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that fills it; let the field exult and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.
The spring is a lively emblem of the Resurrection.
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) was an English-born poet who lived in the American colonies where her poetry was the first to published in the New World.
Winter’s shadow fades
Morning air sharing warm smiles—
Spring readies comeback
Tree’s empty bird nest
Waiting for newest tenant—
Turning spring’s fresh page
Bravest, greenest shoots
Breaking through quiet landscape—
Spring says, “I’m coming”
Photo by daniyal ghanavati on Pexels.com
Spring’s foretold migration finally arrives
Chasing away winter’s doldrums at long last
Growing longer, warmer days feeling alive
Returning daily, headliners rejoin cast
With every sunrise tweet, delightful birds sing
Updating winter’s drab wardrobe, trees turn green
Following God’s cue, all creatures here below
Coloring landscape, sweetness paints every scene
Patient gardens blooming, flowers smile again
Waking up from long winter naps, creatures roam
Setting life’s tone, creation’s quiet rhythm
Living in harmony, all feel quite at home
Spring’s joyful feast, nature’s symphony humming
Welcoming fanfare’s savory homecoming
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published April, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 