"What Will Mother Nature Show Me Today?"

“When I go out and take pictures, I lead with the question in my mind: ‘I wonder what Mother Nature will present to me today?’

It’s 4 a.m., and my wrist starts vibrating. I’ve already been awake on and off for hours, knowing an alarm would jolt me into the early morning darkness. A couple of days ago, I decided I was going to get up early and drive two hours to Banff to catch the sunrise.

Was I crazy? Yeah, probably.

It took a while for my family to understand why I would do such a thing. But now, when I do it, they don’t question it. It usually takes me a couple of days to mentally prepare for the trek because it’s often a long day.

I quietly stumble out of bed and head to the kitchen to make a coffee. No matter how early it is, I still need my first cup of joe and at least half an hour of quiet time before I can start moving. I usually take more than half an hour, and then suddenly I’m kicking into high gear because I only have 15 minutes to get out the door by the time I originally planned to leave.

Finally, sitting in the car with the heat seat on to take the chill off, podcast ready to go, and the remains of my now cold first coffee by my side, I’m ready to head out. I’m only 10 minutes behind. But unbeknownst to me on that day, time would be irrelevant. My journey to the mountains would follow divine timing.

As I head out into the darkness, the road lit by streetlights, I begin to wonder what the day will bring.

When I first started going on these trips, I would have a solid plan. I would go over it again and again in my head (the over-thinker in me): one specific spot for sunrise, then head here, then there, for that particular shot. Well, that never worked out. Most of the time, when I reached the mountains, the weather wasn’t what I expected or I’d start second-guessing myself. “Maybe there’s a better spot”, I’d think.

This was one of those days.

I arrived in Canmore and made my usual stop at Beamers, grabbing a coffee, a day-old muffin, and, if needed, putting on my long johns. I knew I only had one shot to catch the sunrise in the right light. I had to make the best choice.

But the choices are endless.

It was going to be one of those mornings where I started second-guessing myself again. “Did I really want to drive to Banff? Maybe there’s somewhere in Canmore I could go.” I thought.   I started driving around Canmore. I stopped by the bridge to see what the Three Sisters were up to… and I wasn’t inspired. I drove around town looking for a place to point my camera. I realized that places where I used to photograph the Three Sisters were now filled with houses, and I couldn’t get the “perfect” view I was looking for.

I was driving aimlessly around Spring Creek, panicking that I was going to miss the light. I decided to pull over. I knew this wasn’t working.

I needed to just stop and regroup.

At that moment, I closed my eyes and thought of my friend Cathy, who had passed away a few months earlier. She had lived in Canmore and walked the trails every day. It was her daily meditation, a grounding from the stress of the job she was so dedicated to. I could see her in my mind, connecting with chickadees, breathing in the scent of fragrant pine trees, and feeling the damp chill on her face.

Thinking of her, I took a deep, mindful breath and asked, “Cathy, where should I go?”

Then another deep breath in… and slowly out.

I opened my eyes to really see where I was.

Ahead of me, I saw the Opera House, where I had once participated in retreats led by a friend. Right next to it is a bridge that goes over the river, where I once took a photo of the sunset. I decided to go to the bridge. This had often been part of Cathy’s walk.

As I approached, it was quiet. No one was around except for the chirping of a few birds. The sun had already begun rising in the east. I had missed it. But to the west, the mountains were just beginning to glow with golden light. In the creek was a perfect reflection of Mt. Rundle in the distance. The morning light was soft and stunning.

At that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

As I began to take pictures, I smiled. “Thank you, Cathy,” I said quietly.

That moment became the cover of my 2024 calendar and also the photo for April, Cathy’s birth month.

Mt Rundle Reflection

After that moment, I began approaching my photography outings differently. I still go with a loose plan, but I allow space for what I call “downloads.” I know, “downloads” sounds a bit woo-woo, but here’s what I mean: a download is an idea that comes into my head that feels solid. It inspires me to take action right away, or it just feels right. I might not know all the details, but it resonates.

A download, when I’m out driving around, might be a sudden idea of a location. So, I go there. I get excited because I have no idea what Mother Nature will present to me, but, I know it’ll be good. Now, it doesn’t take much for me to get excited. It’s not always about wildlife encounters (though those do get my heart pumping). It could be the light falling on a beautiful landscape, or a single leaf resting perfectly on a pine branch. I look for the little things in nature that create beauty just by being what they are.

Another download happened that same day when I was driving past Banff on my way to the Bow Valley Parkway. A download came: “Go to the lookout at Mt. Norquay.”

This hadn’t crossed my mind at all, but I thought, Okay, and turned off the highway.

When I got to the lookout, it wasn’t busy. The sky was blue with puffy white clouds, and before me was a stunning view of the Banff townsite and Vermilion Lakes. I sat on the hill with my camera and just took it in.

Then I looked to my right and saw a Bighorn Sheep Ram emerging from the forest. He walked slowly, nibbling at the grass. I realized that not only could I take a picture of this wonderful view, but I could have this Ram in it as well. Wow, perfect timing.

The photo isn’t National Geographic-worthy, but it was a rare moment where everything aligned. I thought: “If I hadn’t listened to that download, I would have missed this.”

Moments like this, over the years, have taught me that I get a thrill from the magic of the unknown.

'Mother Nature, I look forward to seeing what you will present to me today.' Then I let go of expectations, and I stay open to whatever comes. It’s a much less stressful approach and you can’t help but be fully present in the moment.

Surrender…

Interestingly enough, after writing the above, I took a break, got off the couch (where I’d been writing in my journal), and took my dog Kona for a walk. It was a beautiful day and I had a long to-do list. But as soon as I stepped outside, I knew I wanted a big walk. I headed to a spot where I hoped to see a raven’s nest with babies still in it.

As I walked, I found myself thinking too much about what I’d just written, trying to prove the magic of being open to the moment. But ironically, I wasn’t seeing anything.

I was just walking, focused on reaching my destination.

Nothing stood out to me.

The birds, the leaves, the bright spring light, none of it sparked creativity. I wasn’t present, and I knew it.

I arrived at the spot I’d aimed for… and there was nothing to see.

Oh well.

I began walking back, thinking, “I guess there’s nothing for me to see today.” I still had 3 kilometers to go.

But at that moment, something shifted. I surrendered and let go.

Less than a minute later, as I walked along the river path, I saw two Canada Geese by the bank. One was lying down with her head tucked into her feathers. Curious, I pulled out my camera for a closer look. When I zoomed in, I saw a strip of yellow.

“Oh my goodness… babies!” I whispered excitedly.

I wrapped Kona’s leash around my waist, sat down, and started taking pictures. Then I simply sat and watched as Kona lay beside me. I reflected again, it’s about surrendering. Letting go.

Surrender, according to Google: In a spiritual context, surrendering means relinquishing personal control and ego-driven desires, and instead, trusting in a higher power or a plan greater than oneself. It involves letting go of attachments to outcomes and accepting the present moment without judgment. This act can bring comfort, relief, and a sense of peace, as it allows one to embrace the divine plan for their lives.

I realized that the more I consciously or subconsciously surrender to what may be, trusting Mother Nature (or the Universe), the more I’m presented with unexpected beauty. I’ve used this practice for years to guide my life, but only recently realized I bring this same approach to photography.

I would guess many nature photographers do the same. It’s how they see the forest differently than someone just out for a walk.

I truly believe I could have easily missed that Canada Goose family had I stayed lost in my thoughts. It’s not that I never think during walks, some of my best ideas come during them. And, not every walk I go on I will find something. I may not be in the mood or I am too busy talking to a friend. But often I find, I see little things that catch my eye and bring that sweet dopamine hit. Finding beauty in the little things we often miss.

Everyone has a camera on them now. Your phone can capture magic too. So, next time you go for a walk in your neighbourhood or nearby trail, say a little word to Mother Nature: “I look forward to seeing what you will present to me today.”

You might be surprised at what turns up, something beautiful you’d never noticed before, even on the same familiar walk.

Opening yourself to this world adds richness, joy, and beauty to life.

And one day, I’ll share some stories about how nature gives us messages, if we’re open to receiving them. It’s a whole other language, connecting with the life around us.

This is my Nature Photography Practice.

Have a beautiful month.

I have just released some new Greeting Cards, Prints and Journals. I invite you to take a look at my website to see my new products www.rikkineukom.com/shop-1

I just completed my first market of 2025 and I have to say I received a wonderful response from some of my new prints.

My next market will be June 7th at the Okotoks Art Gallery for Art on the Lawn.

My dates at the Canmore Market for June are June 12th and June 26th.

New items I am working on are Magnets. I can't wait to share them with you. I should have them by June.

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