2020 certainly left us all with many lessons. In wanderings both very close to home and far away, the Earth continued to be a wise teacher. Here are some images of a few favorite experiences from the year accompanied by the words of a Ute prayer: Earth, Teach Me.
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois
The verses of Earth, Teach Me were composed into song by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. A recording by Northwestern Professor Donald Nally was named one of the top classical recordings of the year in the New York Times. There’s a link to the recording in the NY Times article or you can click here if you’d care to listen while looking at these images.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Silgachan, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The capturing of images in the field is a way for me to engage more deeply with the Earth and her beauties. After settling in to our house in the Isle of Skye, Alister took us to this burn running out of the Black Cuillin mountains. With my camera, I explored how the many tangles of this stream could best be organized within a frame. How is the story of this wild water best told in an organized way? How will this wonderous foreground dance play with the sullen Cuillin Silgachan in the distance?
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Wilder Park, Elmhurst, Illinois
Covid quickly cut short the visit in Scotland, and walks were very close to home for a while. Bringing a camera along helped me see the beauty right at my feet.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Dan and I figured a way to safely feed our photo needs by packing up food and camping gear and heading to the Badlands. This was definitely the most magical day of photography all year. The sky and light played wonders all day with a wonderful storm moving through. Incredible wildlife encounters occurred throughout the day with prairie dogs, lots of birds and short eared owl circling us. The first meeting of the day was this peaceful, playful herd of big horn sheep ewes and lambs. To share this day with my son will always stay in my heart.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Cricket Creek Forest Preserve, Addison, Illinois
Back close to home is a trail Jane and I’ve done often on a bike, but Chance hasn’t learned to ride a bike, so we take him for walks instead. Then it’s easier to bring a camera and see things like this wonderful lone tree.
Unfortunately for the next verse, I didn’t get any images of ants or eagles. While I was fortunate to see eagles both in Scotland and Illinois, no photos were possible. However, I’ll use an image of my favorite soaring birds—Sandhill Cranes on their way south.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Jasper-Pulaski Counties, Indiana
Sandhill cranes are one of the oldest species on Earth. When they migrate, their incredibly loud bugle travels from a great distance and you can look up and look back to see a scene that would’ve been the same a million years ago.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
I don’t think there can be a better time of year to make images. And to find colorful leaves, still water, and dramatic rocks and lichens . . . can’t get better.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Couldn’t anticipate what the year would bring in January, but it was a wonderful way to start in the starkness of the southern Utah desert. The person in this image frozen ancient sand dunes might say something of our ultimate ability to control the Earth.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Iceland
I’d hoped to spend a couple days with my camera in Iceland on my way back from Scotland, but that opportunity was lost. I got a taste of what awaited when changing planes there on the way east. Some day.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain
Highlands, Scotland
Earth, Teach Me
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
A Ute Prayer