There is Always Magic in Nature

I went out into our garden one late afternoon this weekend in search of magic. I was feeling a little drained/tired and felt like I needed that to feel better. I love to bring my camera because for me it helps the search to become more focused (no pun intended.) It becomes an adventure in observation. When I set the intention to look for magic, I feel like I am in a faerie tale entering the forest, and using a general word like magic is still broad enough that I am not limiting it or setting a specific expectation for what I want to see which might affect the flow of it. 
For some it may resonate more to bring a sketchpad or notebook instead of a camera. I do find it helpful to somehow document the experience as a tangible reminder.

The first sign of magic I found was a butterfly eating a fig. I had never before seen this and she was enjoying it very much. She allowed me to get quite close and I was able to see her long straw -like tongue. (If you zoom in a bit it's clear and her expression is too.) I loved seeing her little face, usually we only notice their bright wings and antennae. She looked very wise to me and I felt like she had this deep sense of "knowing" about her. I asked her for the photos and she was fine with it as long as I didn't disturb her meal. It also made me happy because we consciously make an effort to share our figs with wildlife. We often see bees, wasps, ants and birds eating them, and now we know butterflies do as well. There is plenty for everyone. The 3rd photo shows multiple insects enjoying a fig. 

After I photographed the butterfly I wandered to the backyard and sat down for a moment on a step to just enjoy listening to the cicadas. It's a constant concert here in Georgia and the sound feels very peaceful. While sitting there a chipmunk came up to me to say hi & check if I had a snack. Typically they don't come so close unless I am putting out birdseed. This one was beyond adorable and posed in my favorite way, on their little back haunches with their paws up, like a prairie dog. Definitely some major faerie tale magic to have a chipmunk visit with me while I enjoyed a chorus of cicadas. I also love the photo when he was a bit further with the lantern in the foreground. There is simply a blurry impression indicating form, and he could be a little mouse or a chipmunk. 

The final piece of pure magic happened after my chipmunk friend left. I walked back through the gate to the front part of the garden and was startled by a glowing fiery leaf filtered sunset. We have a lot of trees so it is very rare to see this much color. It was beautiful to see the interplay of light through the leaves of my dear trees, the soft veiny dogwood leaves and the sweetgum's starry shaped ones, as well as the solid textured pine bark in front of the final orange & lavender dusky sky becoming night. The photos bring me joy and remind me that anytime I need it - nature is there to re-charge my energy- even when I am not home by my garden. I seek these experiences by the sea or even on tree lined city streets -they can also hold magic if we are open to it.