In the Wasatch Mountains. Autumn

 

In early autumn, while the roads still allow access to the mountains, I always return to this place where tall, slender trees reach toward the sky, and a small house seems lost in the forest, its path hidden from view.

Generally, life is good.

Crossing Seasons # 2

Sometimes, quite unexpectedly, you realize that this fragile tree in its late-autumn dress has been quietly waiting for you all along.

Generally, life is good.

On the Country Roads. Sunnyfield Barn

Sunnyfield, September, 2025

My relationship with this famous historic barn is… complicated. For years, I pointed my camera at it, and it stubbornly refused to cooperate—bad light, bad angles, bad mood, you name it. But this time, the barn finally gave in, as if saying, “Fine, take your picture and leave me alone"

Generally, life is good.

Whispers of Indian Summer

 

Standing by the river that autumn morning, I felt time slow down. There was a quiet warmth in the air, the kind that feels both comforting and fleeting.  

Generally, life is good.

Time Pauses Its Flight

 

Silence fills the air

Snow crowns mountain peaks

The moment held by the breeze

Time pauses its flight.

haiku #2

Generally, life is good.

Water World

Just below the surface.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. Not All Rivers Want Our Close Presence

 

This mountain river was shallow and quite noisy.  I was looking at this beautiful river and tried to remember when I last time photographed our mountain rivers. 

***

A warm summer morning emerges from my memory.

I carefully walk down the steep hill to the river, choose the most comfortable stone, sit down on it feeling its warmth and listen to the river. At some point I suddenly see how tiny we are in our huge universe. Two grains of sand that suddenly became one.

***

This time there was no way to go down to the river, to be on the shore, get comfortable and to feel, as on that distant morning, that the river and I again became an inseparable whole. 

Probably, not all rivers want our close presence.

Generally, life is good.

In the Wasatch Mountains. Hiding Among Aspens

Generally, life is good,

On the Country Roads. In the Valley

 

It is unusual to see white barns in the Northern Utah. Usually most of them are a modest brown or loud red color.

Generally, life is good.

Wild Beach - I.

Generally, life is good.

Let's Go For a Ride

 

I was once told that your new horse will test you for as long as he sees fit and then he will teach you the way you teach him. And if the horse trusts you he will bring out the best of you.

Generally, life is good.

On the Country Roads -V.

 

I thought for a long time whether to post this photo or forget about it.

When I got out of the car, the cows disappeared from sight very quickly but the curious one lingered for a couple of seconds and helped to create a country atmosphere. I am very grateful to her for her curiosity.

Generally, life is good!

Autumn Interpretations

Interpretation I.

The wind blew away the rain and also the sky, 

but left all the leaves on the trees.  

They were in no hurry to shed their autumn outfits.

Interpretation II.

Interpretation III.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. In a Fraction of Time

 

There are people who cross our path in a fraction of time and in the briefest encounter they leave a deepest mark on our heart.

***  

Recently, while leafing through one of my old diaries, I came across an entry that took me back to the distant past, where one cold autumn day I met an elderly woman in Vingis park, in Lithuania, my then country. 

Our conversation began unexpectedly with completely insignificant phrases but soon grew into a conversation that I wanted to write down without missing a single word said by this woman. 

Now, more than ever, I understand what this eldery woman wanted to say to me, a young and naive girl, about life and loneliness.  Loneliness is not a situation, it's a feeling and we are strong enough to change it.

There were days when the woman had a hard time to stay in empty house and, not knowing how to deal with this emptiness, one summer evening she opened the window and began to listen to the ringing of church bells, and the feeling of loneliness disappeared.  She and the world became one, they belonged to each other.

On those days when the church bell didn't ring, the woman listened to the rustling of leaves, to the wind and the voices of birds and just silence. 

When I feel lonely, I read books, watch wildlife documentaries, look at the mountains and plan my next trip to my favorite bird locations.  And at such moments I know that I belong to this world and we are one.

Generally, life is good!

Notes to Self

 

Perhaps I should have thought twice before going to this mountain campsite.  But I decided to go there anyway and very quickly realized what a mistake I had made.

Every fall, my husband, our dog Tasha, and I would go to one of the mountain campsites to feel the fall and walk along the winding paths covered with autumn leaves. Our dog Tasha, enjoying her freedom, ran around squealing with happiness.

The other day I returned to this campsite alone. I walked along the same paths  which I once walked with my husband but the place was cold, damp and inhospitable.  I was surrounded by such an oppressive silence that at some point it became simply unbearable to be there.

On the way out I looked back at this place for the last time and suddenly saw a tree glowing with golden colors. I froze in surprise. How did I not see this tree before?  It seemed to appear out of nowhere, emitting divine light, so cheerful and so soothing. 

Generally, life is good.

Autumn in Utah

 

Every time I visit Causey Dam, I feel like I have traveled to another planet with magnificent alpine lake ( reservoir ) nestled in the canyon.  

Generally, life is good!

On the Country Roads - IV.

 

A few more warm autumn days and next week the temperature will drop and autumn won't not be as friendly as it is now.

This morning I headed into the mountains and drove along the back roads in hope of seeing Turkey Vultures sitting on the fences and "waiting" for me to photograph them but there weren't Vultures around.  

But, to my delight, high in the mountains, autumn still had its festive colors.

American Crows. 

I have a soft spot for red barns.  This one was hidden behind the trees, only half visible. 

Generally, life is good.

Curious White-crowned Sparrow

 

This sometimes happens; you photograph a bird, you are motionless for a long time and then suddenly, out of nowhere, another bird appears nearby and starts  to watch you.

That autumn morning on the Great Salt Lake shore, I was photographing American Pipits. At some point I looked over my shoulder and saw a White-crowned Sparrow perching on the bush and watching me.  He was so close that for a few seconds I was afraid to aim at him my lens, what if he would flutter and fly away. 

The Sparrow didn't have any intention to fly away, perhaps curiosity was much stronger than caution.

Generally, life is good!