There’s something special about taking a break from work—not just to rest, but to notice. Over the past few months (or maybe years), I’ve realized that some of my favorite moments don’t happen during big planned events, but in those little pauses throughout the day.

Sometimes, I used to take my break by the soccer field near work. It became my go-to spot—open, quiet, full of surprise. One day, I saw a family of deer quietly grazing out there. Another time, a lone coyote was curled up sleeping in the middle of the field. I happened to have my drone in the car that day, so I grabbed it and captured the moment—still one of my favorite shots. I always carry my camera or a lens just in case something like that happens again.

I have so many memories from that field. Sometimes I’d do solo photoshoots there, especially during golden hour or after a gloomy day when the sky turned shades of purple, orange, and pink. I even brought my zoom lens once and was able to get closer shots of the deer without disturbing them. I appreciated every little thing—the light, the colors, the calmness.

But now that space is gone. They built a building over it. And honestly, it makes me a little sad. That field was more than just a patch of grass—it was a pocket of peace in the middle of a workday. A place where wildlife wandered freely and where I could slow down, breathe, and see beauty in the ordinary.

Still, I try to find that feeling in other places. There's a tree in the plaza where I like to sit. I watch an older couple walk their dogs almost every day, and there’s a man who hikes near the area with his dog—they always stop and toss a ball around. These simple routines, somehow, ground me.

Even rainy days have their own magic. One time after a downpour, a double rainbow appeared out of nowhere. That moment stuck with me. Nature always seems to give back if you're paying attention.

In the fall, when the leaves change, everything feels like a painting. I walk to another nearby park during lunch, past the big plaza, just to soak it in. That time—camera in hand, eyes open—is when I feel most myself.

These small things—wildlife encounters, shifting skies, quiet walks—still make me incredibly happy. And though the soccer field is gone, the way it made me feel hasn’t left me. I carry it with me, in every photo I take.

Here are a few photos I’ve taken during those quiet, beautiful moments. I hope they bring you a little of the peace and wonder they gave me.