Whispers in the Wilderness

by Erik Stensland

Many of us spend a great deal of our time dreaming about our next trip to the mountains, whether for a weekend getaway or our yearly vacation. We hear within that deep inexplicable pull toward the wilderness and would agree with John Muir, who said: "The mountains are calling and I must go." We sense that in the wild we are touching the edge of something that is both wonderful and mysterious.

In this book Erik Stensland, a professional landscape photographer based in Estes Park, Colorado, explores this longing we have for the wilderness and suggests that it is the trailhead for a journey to wholeness. Through short daily reflections on the natural world paired with his gorgeous photos from Rocky Mountain National Park, he encourages us to go deeper within ourselves and discover the healing that nature is offering.

Genres: Nature

176 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2017

About the author

When I was five years old my dad told me that if I sprinkled salt on the tail of a bear that it would follow me home. As a result of his dubious advice, much of my early childhood was spent exploring the mountainous terrain around our Montana home with saltshaker in hand. During these years the wilderness found its way into some deep place within me and became a central part of my life. The solitude, the silence and the sense of connection with something much greater than myself has drawn me ever since.

After college I spent about a decade living in Europe's Balkan Peninsula with my wife Joanna. Years of high stress during this period led to severe burnout. In pursuit of restoration I jumped at an opportunity to move to the mountains of Colorado at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. There, on quiet trails, surrounded by beauty and solitude, my soul began to recover.

I decided to make a career of hiking and so became a professional nature photographer. As I hiked the many trails of the national park both day and night in pursuit of unique images, I came back to life and found myself overflowing with things I wanted to write about. With every passing year I become more and more convinced that we all need more solitude, stillness, silence and beauty in our lives.

To learn more about me, my photography and my writing visit my website: https://ImagesofRMNP.com.

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers in the Wilderness is an inspiring book written by an award-winning landscape photographer who lives in Estes Park--Erik Stensland. Erik was once a humanitarian aid worker in Kosovo and Albania and upon his return to the U.S, he desired to find a way to support his family through photography ... while striving to make a difference in the lives of the people who viewed his photographs. This heartwarming book set in Rocky Mountain National Park is more than just a coffee table book of photos-Erik's prose accompanies each photo and encourages readers to dig deeper, get to know themselves, to find the silence and to sprinkle mercy and grace on all those they meet. The book has already won numerous awards and will continue to.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erik's photography is absolutely gorgeous. While some passages "spoke" to me, I was a bit bored with the armchair philosophy.

[Paul O'Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. The philosophy was a bit too high brow for me. Quite possibly I'm just a simpleton and not this book's intended audience.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings beauty to your eyes and peace to your soul.

Whispers in the Wilderness is a photo book of Rocky Mountain National Park, where the artist not only captures the physical beauty of nature on the page, but the spiritual beauty as well. Each page, each excerpt is one to be savored, and to contemplate. I have wanted to share each and every page I have read so far, but will not due to copyright protection. I will say, that if you are someone who looks to nature to feel centered and healed and whole, this is most definitely a book for you. If you aren’t, you should try it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchase this in the bookshop in Estes Park last summer because I wanted to support the independent store that has long been a favorite stop in downtown Estes. I admired the excellent photography when I chose the book and enjoyed reading the author's writing as I read a few entries in a quiet moments.

[Delilah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad we stopped into Erik’s photography shop in Estes Park and found this book. The photos are beautiful and the words are profound. I like to read a page before I go to bed or when I wake up in the morning. Each reflection invites you to think about life and what really matters with nature as the ultimate teacher.

[Gary Potratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unusual book grabs your attention and takes you into a different world. It is so well done that every page makes you stop and think and enjoy. I can't think of another book like it. I would highly recommend it.

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book and it’s gorgeous photography. the book is perfect for reading any time you need to stop and take a break from everything around you. I’d 100% recommend to anyone who likes to sit back and admire the world around us, and for those of us who love to reflect on the beauty of nature.

[Rachel Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect coffee table book for nature lovers. Gorgeous RMNP photography and sweet little passages to go with them from a landscape photographer from Estes Park. About healing your inner self through nature. So cute!!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erik has both an incredible eye for photography AND a deep spiritual understanding of this beautiful area we call home. You will be inspired and wowed by his photography and reflections.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful images and bite sized wisdom. A delightful read!!

[Carrie Tatham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this beautiful beautiful book. Quick, easy, meaningful reads that I've returned to again and again.

[Anikakb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and reflections on life

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Reflections on life and nature. Gorgeous photos taken at Rocky Mountain National Park.

[Diane Denniston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Loved the introspective prose

[Jeffrey Vartiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good photos ..not really a book for reading.....coffee table or toilet use