Lessons from Leaves

Reflections from an Autumn Evening

 Bjølsenparken.

After several days of working intensely on a ten page essay, I welcomed an evening stroll to free me from my notes and textbooks. 

My favorite spot in Bjølsenparken

So, tonight following my exam I went out for some fresh air, exercise, and to catch the last of the autumn leaves.

Bjølsenparken

As the leaves pile on the ground, the days begin shortening. Soon Oslo will become brown, cold, and dark. Honestly, the thought of this frightens me. I'll miss the green, the yellow, the red, the orange leaves; all dancing like rainbows in the trees. 

Along the Akerselva near Sagene.

The air was cool and crisp, and the pathways were caked in fallen leaves. My eyes desperately fluttered from tree to ground and all around, trying absorb the feeling of autumn and view every leaf.

Myrløkka in Sagene.

While walking along, more and more leaves on the ground started catching my attention.  Red leaves, yellow leaves, small leaves, tall leaves, grooved leaves, smooth leaves, pointed leaves...so many different leaves!

Fallen leaves.

Noticing all of the different types of leaves mixed atop each other on the ground reminded me of people. These fallen leaves are just as diverse as people, yet they are all together in the same spot, and facing the same fate despite differences. 

Sageneparken.

Part of the essay I wrote dealt with inequality, be it indigenous rights, woman's rights, etc; discussing types of socio-cultural knowledge and transformations needed to tackle climate change. Staring at these leaves made me think of culture. How people of diverse backgrounds, religions, cultures, live and work among one another. No matter how diverse, people, like leaves, can get along and co-exist. 

Sunlight through the autumn leaves.

Whether a single leaf, or an individual person, each has just as important a role in the circle of life. Watching the sun set behind the falling leaves, I realize how quickly time passes, and how the seasons change. Nature is beautiful and needs protecting.

Autumn Along the Akerselva

Autumn 

Autumn is my favorite time of year. So, one afternoon a while back, I traded in my books for my camera and headed to the river-walk; hiking up near Kjelsås in northern Oslo to take in the sunshine and nature.

Bridge over the Akerselva at Bjølsendumpa.

The Akerselva runs through Oslo and has paths alongside it from Maridalsvannet lake all the way down through the city center.  It's a nice scenic route to take into the city center, or to go out to the forests. 

Autumn time in Nydalen.

On this particular day, I wanted to head up to the forests, so I took the path headed in the direction of Nydalen. Historically, Nydalen has been an industrial hub in Oslo. Today it still very much has that old factory feeling with lots of old brick buildings dotted along the river. There are also lots of new buildings springing up in the Nydalen/Storo area, making it very modern, and in my opinion; lacking in charm.

Along the Akerselva in Nydalen.

In the northern part of Nydalen, there is a dam over the Akerselva, creating a small lake where people can sit around and enjoy picnics or go swimming.

Bridge over the Akerselva.

In some parts of the Akerselva there are pathways along both sides of the river, but in other areas the paths turn into residential streets and move away from the river.  Many bridges over the river make it easy to get across to different paths and on to where you need to go.

Light shinning through the leaves.

Autumn is my favorite season for a few reasons. Not only do I love when it cools off and becomes sweater weather, but I absolutely adore the leaves changing colors; making natural rainbows which color the ground and trees.

Dam and bridge over the Akerselva at  Brekkedammen park.

While the distance was fairly short, it took me quite awhile to walk because I kept stopping to take photos. The furthest I had gone before had been across the bridge over the dam in Brekke. Now, it was time to push on and explore what lay beyond the dam.

In Brekkedammen park.

Situated near the neighborhoods of Brekke and Kjelsås; Frysja or Brekkedammen park is a nice little park offering many picnic areas, shores to fish or swim from, and of course places to hike. It was fairly quiet and peaceful when I walked through the park, but on the weekends and in summer it would be much more crowded.

Brekkedammen park with a view of the dam in the background.

I really enjoyed getting to walk through Brekkedammen alone minus the occasional jogger. The park is also situated next to the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology.

Statue in Brekkedammen park

There were a few artist studios located in old brick buildings along the shore. It sure would be a lovely location to work from, being so close to the trees and river. 

Brekkedammen park.

I kept heading north through the park into Kjelsås, enjoying the scenery as I walked.

Bridge over the Akerselva in Brekkedammen park.

There was just one main bridge in the middle of the park in addition to one at the beginning and end of the park.

Brekkedammen park near Kjelsås.

Some of the trees had such vibrant and magnificantly colored leaves.

Shadows.

The paths of Brekkedammen park.

Sunlight illuminating the leaves.

In case you haven't yet realized, I'm obsessed with color; especially the way light shines on and through leaves. Lighting conditions change all the time, so I love seeing the different colors and changing looks of plants.  I also love the shade of green made when light shines through leave.

Leaves in the sunlight.

I walked up to Maridalsvannet lake, but couldn't get up to the lake because the road is currently closed for a huge tunnel construction project. Instead, I turned around and began making my way down along the path on the other side of Brekkedammen park.

A rainbow of autumn leaves near Kjelsås.

 Being out in nature is very calming to me. At one point, I came to the most beautiful spot. The leaves were all different colors and glimmering in the sunlight. It truly looked magical, but sadly the photo above doesn't do it justice

The forest changing colors near Kjelsås.

Little bridge in Brekkedammen park.

As the sun was beginning to set, it was time to head back towards Brekke and down along the Akerselva on my way home.

Pathway going along the river in Brekkedammen park.

Brekkedammen park was absolutely gorgeous with the changing leaves and setting sun. I definitely hope to make it back to the park to check it out during other seasons, and if I'm lucky; before all of the leaves are gone.

Behind a dam in Nydalen.

On my way home, I stopped by the lake in Nydalen to marvel at the sunset creating a soft glow against the trees. Sadly, I went back today and most of the leaves have already fallen from the trees and now rest in the lake.

Leaves along a building in Nydalen.

It was truly a lovely afternoon in Oslo. I can't wait to enjoy the leaves and take in the nature more this season!