The Silence of Nature

“Silence is the language of nature”

Debasish Mridha

WEE BIRD

This week Cheri has challenged us to “capture silence in a photograph”. To me, nature is a place where soothing silence can always be found by those who seek it. Coincidentally, this week I set out to test a new lens in the woods and lagoons near my home. All of today’s captures, celebrating nature’s silence, were shot with my X-T2 using Fujifilm’s 50-140 mm f/2.8 lens.

FOREST QUIETUDE

“I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”

Vincent van Gogh

My test of the lens focused on four things – portability, sharpness, reach and bokeh. The lens (unlike my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8) easily supports handheld shooting without shake. At the narrow end, f/22, I was able to achieve reasonable results with panning to create images like the one above.

THREE MERGANSERS

“See how nature-trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence.”

Mother Teresa

I am used to having a bit more reach, and I did find I would have liked more, but the use of a teleconverter could solve that. Also, the lens was quite sharp and since the Fuji files are large, they can be cropped down to a reasonable size to focus in on important elements. In the capture above, the three Hooded Mergansers were a good distance from me, so the shot has been cropped pretty significantly. Note that the birds, even though on the move, are still reasonably sharp.

MUTED MOSS

“Come to the woods, for here is rest.”

John Muir

I used the lens for some landscapes and found it was also up to that task. Generally, I was pleased with it although I do take issue with those who compare it to the Nikon. For me it was the ability to carry it around for two hours, and to shoot successfully without a tripod, that makes it a winner.

COASTING CORMORANT

“Serenity is when I realize I’m blessed with beautiful nature around.”

divyaelizabeth

Of course, there are many other lenses to be considered after moving to a new (in my case Fujifilm) platform. There are zooms, primes, macros, wide angles, and of course third party options. Oh dear, what’s a photographer to do?!

The answer, of course, is to focus on our skills. While our choice of equipment influences our results to some degree, improving our ability to “see” the shot, find the light, compose our images and know the limits and capabilities of our gear will trump equipment choice every time.

Equipment notwithstanding, one of my favorite things about photography is that it puts me right in the heart of nature’s silence – how about you?

WPC: Silence

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Tags: equipment, Fuji, weekly photo challenge

68 thoughts on “The Silence of Nature”

mick25117 on April 7, 2018 at 4:56 am said:

Nature is beautifully peaceful and recharges the soul. I long to sit in nature listening to the bird song

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Dylan Dixon on March 9, 2018 at 11:44 am said:

I just love the whole thought of this post! I have read a few of your posts by now and they are incredible, always enjoyable to read. Feel free to check out my blog page I think you will like what I have to share! https://naturefanatics.blog/

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Ali on February 6, 2018 at 2:29 pm said:

I love the title of this post, and I love the images. Silence and stillness are so important, and we don’t give ourselves enough.

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- Tina Schell on February 6, 2018 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  I agree Ali – thanks for stopping by!
  
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The Thrifty Campers on February 1, 2018 at 5:13 pm said:

Through all of natures marvelous sounds, peace can still be found🙂

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Alexandra on January 31, 2018 at 3:06 am said:

love that first one,the tiny bird huddled among the branches…I wonder how you even spotted it 🙂 it feels like it’s just about to break the silence with a beautiful tune… always great to be close to nature, wonderful captures, Tina!!

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- Tina Schell on January 31, 2018 at 7:38 am said:
  
  It was ver sweet and let me get quite close before flying off 😊
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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travelwithphotografey on January 29, 2018 at 10:55 am said:

Amazing post!

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- Tina Schell on January 29, 2018 at 11:14 am said:
  
  Thank you!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 5:03 pm said:

Thanks Mary – I am indeed having tons of fun with the new system, which is also pushing me to be out in nature a bit more often.

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Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:55 pm said:

Thank you Mary – yes I’m having fun playing with the new “toy” – and it does push me to get out and enjoy nature’s best!

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Diane on January 24, 2018 at 9:51 pm said:

Sounds like you are having great fun with your gear! Isn’t life grand without a tripod ??? Wee Bird is the cutest lil thing. 💕

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  I am indeed Diane, and YES no tripod is a definite advantage!!
  
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pommepal on January 24, 2018 at 8:55 pm said:

You are really enjoying the experimentation with your new camera Tina and the results are very good. Being in nature is always a joy

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- Tina Schell on January 26, 2018 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  It sure is Pauline, although I think I’d prefer it in your corner of the world right now!
  
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  - pommepal on January 27, 2018 at 1:23 am said:
    
    Much hotter here😥🌞
Syam on January 24, 2018 at 2:37 am said:

Love the series. Excellent framing of “wee bird”.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Syam – it was so sweet of him to pose for me!
  
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Eileen on January 23, 2018 at 9:39 am said:

I love this post as I do all your posts. It appeared at a good time for me after a traffic jam and now waiting in a doctors office with Nick. I needed some peace

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  So glad to hear Nick is on the mend Eileen – wishing you more peace, fewer doctor visits!
  
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Rupali on January 23, 2018 at 9:07 am said:

Wonderful shots Tina.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks Rupali!
  
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firdausmhmmd on January 23, 2018 at 7:29 am said:

Love the photos!!

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for your visit and comment
  
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thirdeyemom on January 22, 2018 at 11:31 am said:

These are gorgeous Tina! I too seek silence in nature. I love nature.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nicole – glad you enjoyed these. THere’s so much beauty for those who seek it, don’t you think?
  
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  - thirdeyemom on January 27, 2018 at 9:35 pm said:
    
    Yes!
carylbeach on January 22, 2018 at 2:44 am said:

fabulous images- beautiful 🙂

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Caryl!
  
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april kanew on January 21, 2018 at 9:05 pm said:

really gorgeous ‘calming ‘ shots Tina……a quiet beauty…👍

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks April – always great to get away from the “noise” isn’t it?!
  
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d i l i p on January 21, 2018 at 1:24 pm said:

Beautiful photographs! The first two are easily my favorites.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Dilip – that little bird was quite the poser!
  
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Jane Lurie on January 21, 2018 at 12:49 am said:

Beautiful, Tina. Love your first bird shot with its nice creamy background. Enjoy your new lens.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane – sadly it was only a loan. Still on the lens purchase fence!
  
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pamkaspers on January 20, 2018 at 10:14 pm said:

Beautiful Tina. Thank you!

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  My pleasure GF, thanks for stopping by!
  
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Vee-graphy on January 20, 2018 at 6:37 pm said:

Wow this is all beautiful, your photographs are truly amazing 😍❤

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  Thank you for the lovely comment See!
  
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Tiny on January 20, 2018 at 2:14 pm said:

The soothing silence in nature is so well captured here, Tina! Love the Forest Quietude.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  Many thanks Helen – such solace among nature’s gifts.
  
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Andrew Seal on January 20, 2018 at 11:54 am said:

Wonderful quotes and wonderful photos, particularly your Forest Quietude à la Monet. Are you sure this wasn’t taken at Giverny 🙂

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  LOL, afraid not Andrew! If only…..
  
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photobyjohnbo on January 20, 2018 at 10:14 am said:

Great collection of nature photos for this week’s theme. If you get that teleconverter, I’ll look forward to a review. My longest lens, a Tamron 16-300 is a variable aperture zoom (f/3.5-6.3). For me a teleconverter is a non-starter as the lens is already too slow at full zoom. On my wishlist is a zoom with an f/2.8 aperture.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  Such a conundrum on lenses isn’t it John? I’d only borrowed the lens so am still undecided on which way to go.
  
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Irene on January 20, 2018 at 9:16 am said:

Beautiful capture! 😊

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Irene
  
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Suzanne on January 20, 2018 at 4:13 am said:

There are some lovely photos in your post. I agree about silence in nature being one of the best kinds of silence.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:45 pm said:
  
  Thanks Suzanne – nothing like a walk among the trees to quiet the mind
  
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Anita on January 19, 2018 at 9:43 pm said:

Beautiful Nature pictures to test your lens! I love that you have access to such serene sceneries near your home.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:45 pm said:
  
  Thanks Anita – me too!!!
  
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Vicki on January 19, 2018 at 6:11 pm said:

The lens certainly does well and I agree with you in that weight certainly does mean some compromises out on a walk in Nature. I have to take my gear in a wheeled trolley and stick to flat surfaces these days as I can’t even carry my miniature backpack with a full water bottle, let alone a couple of cameras and lenses.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  It does get a bit harder every year Vicki – and more than age, it’s really about having shooting flexibility without tons of “baggage”!
  
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  - Vicki on January 28, 2018 at 8:01 am said:
    
    I wish I still had a 18-200mm lens, Tina. That covered most situations years ago, but now, I think I need to sell my long heavy DSLR lens and get another short prime lens for my lightweight Sony ‘mirrorless’. I really don’t know how professional photographers carry all their gear these days. Maybe they’re all selling their heavy DSLRs.
  - Tina Schell on January 28, 2018 at 8:57 am said:
    
    I think many are, or at least expanding their arsenals! And the best of them have assistants! Maybe that’s what we need 😊
    
    Sent from my iPhone
    
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Linda Wyatt on January 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm said:

Crazy about that wee bird no matter what lens!

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks GF – kinda sweet on him/her myself LOL.
  
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Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread on January 19, 2018 at 4:00 pm said:

I’m loving the oaks dripping with moss. 🙂

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Terri Webster Schrandt on January 19, 2018 at 3:00 pm said:

Your choices are so beautiful, Tina, and really show “silence.” You are so right about having the ability to “see” and capture the shot.

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Pam Stewart on January 19, 2018 at 2:04 pm said:

Loved this post!

Sent from my iPhone

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks GF!!! Appreciate your stopping by 🙂
  
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Pat Bean on January 19, 2018 at 1:23 pm said:

This blog earned a Bean Pat as blog pick of the day. Check it out at http://patbean.wordpress.com

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  thanks so much Pat!
  
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sharonbuehler on January 19, 2018 at 1:14 pm said:

Wee Bird is such a sweet photo.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sharon – it was a truly sweet little bird. Lucky to catch it before it flew off!
  
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lensandpensbysally on January 19, 2018 at 11:12 am said:

Yes, you and I share a reverence for nature. This post is stacked with the wonder of Mother Nature. Well done.

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- Tina Schell on January 27, 2018 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sally – yes your love of nature is apparent at every turn!
  
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Mary on January 19, 2018 at 10:59 am said:

Silence in nature is my very favorite thing, and one reason I love our rv life. Your photos are great, and the mirrorless system must be fun to have.

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