Naked in the outdoors

Today seemed a good day to do it - There was simply no good reason not to. Sure, it was a little cold and sure, there was some threat of rain showers but when one feels the need one just needs to take matters into one's own hands and get it done - In the outdoors.

It was a mostly drab sort of day and I'll admit my mood seemed to match, a condition I'm afflicted with sometimes. After a little sleep in, scrambled eggs on toast and a shower I decided to get myself into the outdoors to see if I could find a little colour to brighten the day and, as always, I took a few photos, all with my Samsung S20 phone.

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

It was more about the walk to be honest, fresh air and forward motion which was intended to still my mind a little; I spent about three hours wandering around finding paths less travelled although I ran into a few people despite my intention not to. I suppose I can't expect to have the entire outdoors to myself all the time however had hoped the cooler weather would keep people huddled inside and the great outdoors largely to myself. I muttered or nodded a few hello's now and then but otherwise it was three hours of silence...Other than the sounds of nature.

Located above the Piccadilly Valley only eighteen kilometres from the Adelaide CBD the botanic gardens is packed with cool-climate flora over an area of 97-acres on the slopes of Mount Lofty. It comprises gullies each with their own unique theme and, no matter the season, it always has something to offer.

Spring is the most popular time when amazing displays of camellia's, magnolia's and rhododendrons blossom although Autumn has its own appeal with the reds, yellows and bronze tones of leaves turning. It's in Autumn when many of the trees become naked as leaves fall to the ground, but they don't seem to be at all shy.

Many walking trails cling to the side of the mount with some being quite challenging. I was looking for solitude today so was on the less-travelled ones and found them to be quite slippery. There's plenty of easy trails though and loads of areas for people to picnic with friends and family. For those willing to work a bit harder there's also a few very secluded and beautiful spots for a romantic moment or two with a loved one.

There's something quite special about wandering about in this botanical garden as it's surrounded by typical native Australian bushland which is what the area would have looked like prior to the gardens being established. One is reminded of this when the kookaburras break into their iconic song...It feels very Australian and is always very comforting to hear - It makes me feel home.

With names like heritage rose garden, magnolia gully, woodland garden, fern gully, rhododendron Gully, South American gully, spring gully, dwarf conifer lawn and South East Asian Gully it's clear the botanic gardens is extensive and diverse; A place most gardeners would be able to find something they are interested in. I'm all about the walking though, the peace and quiet...And along the way if the flora provides the scent of freshness, nature and lovely perfumes...Well, I'll take it. Thanks nature.

This shot above is probably one of my favourites as I managed to capture some leaves falling off the tree helping it to become naked for the winter. I didn't realise it at the time but when I saw it on my computer I felt pretty happy with it. I also like to contrast of the red, green and blues in the shot.

Images like this await around every corner and the groundskeepers do a very good job ensuring everything is names so those looking for inspiration can take a note pad and document the species they would like to grow for themselves.

On one of the less-used paths, more of a leaf-strewn gully really, I found these little things popping up. It's reasonably rare to see these here so I felt pretty happy to come across them. They always remind me of Smurf houses, you know, that cartoon from the 1980's. And speaking of fungi I came across some as below, clinging to a fallen log. From the death of one thing comes life for another.

There really was plenty of colour to be found and as I wandered about some of it seeped into my mood along with the fresh air and simple action of putting one foot in front of the other. It was a nice few hours, valuable to my being I'd say.

I think there's something to be said for solitary walks in nature when the sounds of society, other people, are absent. It allows one to think, to connect with oneself and to find a centre point. That's what it's like for me anyway and the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens are a nice place to do it as no matter how busy it is one can always find some peace and quiet away from others like I did today.

I was moving most of the time today with the exception of about fifteen minutes when I sat and simply enjoyed the view. I was thinking about the change of seasons, about how even when nature shifts from one state of being to another there's beauty to be found.

It's almost like nature feels the need to offer one last burst of brilliance, a grand finale, prior to moving into the colder months and a new reality. It could be seen as a sad time I guess, a time of decline, although I see it differently...It's a pause, a time to regroup prior to launching into Spring after the winter has come and gone...It's a hopeful time to me and that's how I felt today as I wandered about revelling in natures shift between realities.

The turning of the leaves, the colour itself and eventual cascade of reds, golds and bronze as they fall to the ground, is a beautiful time of year to me. The wind will blow and rain will fall throughout the winter; Temperatures will dip and the sun will shine just a little less brightly but with the decline comes hope.

It's like nature is shedding its cloak and in its nakedness finds the inspiration to renew itself once again. In this magic moment, the last burst of colour, the promise of beautiful moments to come is promised.

I took a little colour from the day today, combined it with thoughts of hope for the future and wove those vibrant threads into the tapestry that is my life and the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens was the perfect place to do so.