Even with a late start, we still had plenty of light to guide us through much of the Silent Walk. The noticeable differences since April were twofold. First, the trees had fully leafed out, creating corridors of deep green filtered with the slanting red light of the sunset. Their shadows darkened the forest path, adding a sense of privacy within the canopy. Each time we emerged from the trees the light had changed--from the clarity of a late spring evening to the softened ember glow of sunset to the lost contours of darkness.
The other noticeable difference signaled changes outside the forest. The coming holiday weekend and the long awaited opportunity for people to travel added airplane and road traffic to the evening sounds. Lucky for us, the frogs, birds and insects made themselves heard.
Thank you to everyone who came out tonight!
Our walking with deliberate attention to all the forest offers is where the art happens.
Several participants shared written comments, included below. Thanks to our photographers, Thom and Abby Munterich. Click on a photo to enlarge.
The photographs and videos provide a reminder of what it was like, but nothing compares to being there! Please join us for the final Silent Walk on June 24. Registration is through the Black Rock Forest events page.
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It felt like a meditation and altered my consciousness. Everything became a work of art, and I loved watching the colors shift and change in the sky.
I'll take evening bird and frog song over keening of trains any day----soothes the soul.
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Profound Experience! Shimmering, perceptual magic!
Sounds and silence
Observing nature in silence was beautiful and peaceful
peaceful meditative magical transition memories
The most stunning visuals appear dead even though they held the most life
How do you paint a sound? The pink in the sky mirrored in the spillway, like the silence made me see what I wouldn't otherwise see.
I wonder what happened to the duck that walked down the spillway with the other standing guard?
The sounds were amazing! For me, not talking made me see less and hear more.
to express the joy
of the wonder of nature
Every hike is unique! This time I saw Venus come into view over the upper reservoir.
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When the birdsong stopped, the frog-song started!
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| millipede season |
Thanks to the staff of Black Rock Forest for their support of the Silent Walks, especially Brienne Cliadakis, Suzanne Vondrak, Aaron Culotta, and Matt Brady. Support BRF by becoming a member!
Interested in what else I have been doing during this residency? Please join me for a virtual Artist's Talk on June 22 at 1pm. Sign up through the Black Rock Forest events page.
