Dog Walks and capturing August’s Natural Moments
As I have been doing since the beginning of the year, I have been combining two of my favourite things—walking my three dogs and capturing the beauty of nature around me with my Google Pixel phone. During each walk I make it a mission of mine to capture the changes in our woods and it’s funny how, when you slow down and really pay attention, you start noticing all these incredible little moments happening right under your nose.
One of the highlights this month was watching the bees hard at work on the lavender bushes in my neighbourhood. Every time we passed them, the air was filled with the buzzing of bees collecting the pollen ready for winter. I couldn’t resist taking a few close-ups of them going from blossom to blossom, it was such a peaceful, everyday reminder of nature’s rhythm, and my Pixel’s camera perfectly captured the tiny details without disturbing their work.
Another favourite subject of mine during the year is dandelions, and I captured a perfect dandelion clock this month. You know, those fluffy seed heads right before the seeds are carried off by the breeze? I love how they look just before the wind takes them, it felt like I was capturing a moment of stillness just before the chaos. Those little moments are so easy to overlook, but they hold so much beauty when you stop to really see them.
August is still supposed to be summer in the UK but this month I noticed the first hints of decay in the beech tree leaves. They’re still mostly green, but a few had started showing the first signs of yellow and brown creeping in. It’s a quiet reminder that autumn is just around the corner, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot more changes in the weeks to come.
Speaking of trees, the sycamore seeds – “helicopters” as we used to call them when I was little – are back. I still get a bit of joy watching throwing up into the air and watching them twirl to the ground, just like I did when I was a kid.
And then there’s the fireweed, with its bright purple-pink flowers standing tall and proud. They’ve been blooming everywhere this month, adding splashes of colour to the landscape. I captured a few shots of them in full bloom, their vibrant hues standing out against the green backdrop.
August is when you see the blackberries start to form, over the past years I have been an avid watcher of these fruits ripening as there is nothing better than homemade bramble jam or the scent of a blackberry and apple pie fresh from the oven. The bramble fruits are still tiny, tight green clusters this early in the year but they will soon ripen through the month into juicy blackberries and I can’t wait.
One of my favourite shots, this month, has to be the morning dew on the pine needles, it shows that the mornings are cooling down ready for the change into autumn. It’s such a simple scene, but there’s something magical about those tiny droplets clinging to the needles, sparkling in the early light. My phone camera captured it so beautifully that it almost felt like I was bottling up that peaceful morning moment to keep forever.
Between the bees, lavender, dandelions, and all the other treasures I spotted, this challenge became a lovely way to connect with nature during an otherwise busy month. Plus, my dogs love their extra-long walks while I stop when something beautiful or a change catches my eye to allow me to capture the perfect shot. Who knew our daily walks would turn into mini nature adventures?
What I love most about using my Google Pixel for this is how easy it makes capturing these moments on the go. It’s always in my pocket, and the camera is powerful enough to capture everything from a busy Bee working hard to perfect dew drops.
So, that’s a little glimpse into my August Nature Photo Challenge! It’s been such a rewarding way to slow down, appreciate the small wonders around me, and fill my camera roll with memories. If you’re looking for a way to add a bit of mindfulness to your daily routine, I highly recommend grabbing your phone and giving it a try on your next walk. You never know what beauty you might find when you take the time to look.
