Mirai in the Wild: Crater Lake

Ancient monumental Whitebark pines line the rim of the great basin known as Crater Lake. An imperfect circle outlined by jagged cliff-sides marks the presence of what once was a volcano nested within a volcano- now filled with serene sapphire water, the deepest lake in the USA.
Stories of circular wind, exposure, and strife are revealed by trees, the greatest communicators of the environment. As relics of a time before us, the Whitebark pines beckon an understanding of preservation and our role within the natural world.
Mirai in the wild is an original series that follows bonsai professional Ryan Neil as he journeys to the native landscapes of endangered and significant trees. Embedded in the environment, he processes and understands the elements of nature in the way that the tree does- interpreting and expressing the aesthetic of nature through the art of bonsai.
With a yamadori limber pine, spools of copper wire, and an array of tools in hand, Neil takes the styling of a tree into the environment. The sensations of smell, textures of the earth, blasting winds, and glaring sun completely influence the styling experience. The immersion of the artist into the place of inspiration awakens profound revelations; humans and trees become equal organisms in the vast grandeur of Crater Lake.
The Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation plays a key role in supporting the preservation of these ancient communicators. To find out more about their work, visit whitebarkfound...
To see more of what we do at Mirai, check out bonsaimirai.com or our KZbin channel / bonsaimirai
Grow your understanding of bonsai as a communicator of ecology and as an art form with a seven day free trial to Mirai Live at live.bonsaimir...
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[@sueb1317]

This movie sums up exactly what my soul could not express. Something in our genome necessitates us to respect the effects and esthetics of elemental forces - forces that threatened the very survival of our ancestors. These forces - wind, rain, glaciation, fire - they are recorded in the bedrock, the shorelines, the flatlands... and trees. Thank you!

[@Alex-ip1dn]

"The tree bridges the human to the environment" a phrase I will never forget.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Something that we have in our minds with each of these projects. Hope to only build upon it. Happy to have made an impact for you, Alex.

[@joelshack85]

Books can only teach you so much…working in the streets and learning the streets teaches you more

[@Matt6644]

This is how you take an art to another level.

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

So true!!! 🙏👍 Hans van Meer.

[@dereksaunders4462]

Bonsai is definitely more than just an art. The way I look at nature and trees especially since I began studying bonsai has changed entirely.

[@jonathanaristone2468]

This speaks to the emotion we have for our Bonsai, it transcends beyond our garden. Thanks You Ryan !

[@t3dwards13]

Beautiful! Thank you for bringing us with you.

[@PhoenixBook1898]

This video almost made me cry. Thank you so much for making it. When we look at those pines, we see past, present, and future at the same time. It calls to our deepest inner self.

[@Kwood10]

What a cool place seeing those gnarly trees was amazing .

[@veziovignanelli2926]

Buongiorno e bellissimo le parole non sono sufficienti ad esaltare la bellezza del posto complimenti

[@vividlightwellness]

Oh my god. This is so beautifully done and so poignant, that it brought me to tears. My biggest desire is that we, as a conscious species, return to what's important and focus on preserving the beauty of this planet. Thank you for the question and the answer. 💜

[@HEWfunkingKNEWit]

Your reverence of nature is why you are so good at what you do, and this video proves it.

[@danielkosta3134]

I know I must watch this and listen again to grasp all of the meanings in this video. The message is so poignant and important and the way it was shot and edited is so beautiful. I have been doing bonsai for many years and it has increased my appreciation and reverence for the trees and Nature in general. Thank you Ryan and Miria.

[@jackwalters283]

That pulled on the ol’ heart strings

[@ayushkawalgaonkar2318]

I go into an another world while watching and listening to this types of your videos. Thanks for these videos.

[@SmoothBear]

Watched twice already. Fantastic. 5 stars

[@ShaillajaKKapilaas]

Beautiful documentation and the relationship between Nature and us becoming closer and closer by our Bonsai art and learning the power of the environment on Nature.

[@bgullsgarden7849]

Well done Ryan and crew! This is some of your best work! Ryan your vision, understanding and your ability to communicate ideas is such a treasure to me! Thank you so much for what you do and who you are! Sincerely thank you!!! ♥️🌲🍁🇺🇸🖖

[@arnoldmmbb]

I just cant believe I can see this visual masterpiece for free, its unreal the quality

[@BonsaiMirai]

If you'd like to support these projects (and these trees) take a look at our available prints! goods.bonsaimirai.com/collections/photography-prints/products/limited-edition-crater-lake-prints

[@GMAR8]

Thanks for putting this up. Very inspiring!

[@KaeruEn]

Sublime!

[@bleumoom]

Thank you Mirai team! This was a fantastic video, one of my favorites.

[@MauricioVarelaE]

Thank you for generate consciousness. I will preserve natives species around me.

[@PNWBonsai]

Another outstanding short film. You guys freakin kill it every time!

[@woodroww.2233]

Unutterable. Fabulous

[@garretttrang7998]

The music, views, and words are simply beautiful. You've inspired me to make it up to Crater Lake in the near future

[@whitewolfIOM]

Excellent! This captures the essence of being in tune with nature ! As a kite surfer and tree lover I have learnt over the years to love nature and this film discribes that feeling !

[@mikemccolm8311]

What an absolutely stunning piece of film....

[@gavinlagrange6322]

Gorgeous, thankyou.

[@savvaspapaloizou2600]

Great... Inspiring... Poetry.... Thank you Mirai team....🙏🙏

[@mikegrayleeds]

Heart, soul, and embodiment 🌳🌱👏 fab!

[@tuclance]

wow such a magical place absolutelt stunning!

[@mcbabs7495]

Fabuleux !!! Merci pour la vidéo!

[@kurtkampmeier]

Wow this is very beautiful. Love the cinematography!

[@paulmesi3958]

Fantastic production and vivid descriptions and tales that Ryan leads us on. More content like this please.

[@gavins.6109]

Stellar editing!

[@simonbremner2707]

Awesome thanks for sharing Team Mirai👍cheers from Aus✌

[@BonsaiMirai]

Hopefully we make it over to Australia with this series. Where would you suggest?

[@BenBSeattle]

Enlightening thanks Ryan

[@JesusChrist4ever]

So beautiful 😍 thank God for all the beautiful things his made for us to enjoy this is better then any city any restaurant any amusement parks this tops all of it for me

[@rmcc42]

Thank you so very much for a beautifully done video on the beauty of Crater lake; and also for reminding me (us) the rareness of what exists there, and the importance of maintaining not just the plant life that exists there' but plant life everywhere! And on a personal level, thank you for bringing back memories of the beauty, the trees and other plant life, the lake, the island(s) and the shear magnitude of the beauty that exists there. I have not been back to Crater lake since I was a horticulture grad student at Oregon State back in the very early 70's. There were several spots in your video that have been etched into my life's memories for 50 years, and seeing them again was priceless to me. I have always been drawn to the old trees that show the results of fighting nature for survival, and thus the reason for my interest and love of bonsai for almost 60 years! Again, thank you!

[@abstract200]

Beautiful footage, thank you

[@FrediOlson]

I've visited Crater Lake several times as a younger person, but I never paid much attention to the trees; just the lake. That was an absolutely spectacular video and your narrative was so picturesque. I love the shot at 11:54. Wish I could have a picture of that. It just melted me. Thank you so much!

[@Erikito00]

This was the most impactful video, the most introspective in relation to the biome ever seen. Thanks for the masterpiece.

[@guillaumecossais6566]

Hi from France , You make my day!! ... it's so good to hear you talking about nature and connection between human being. I always take in consideration my trees before and during I work on them, I feel responsible for their well being, always act in entire respect. Nature (and of course bonsai) is not our, we are just passing through but we must take care of it (them). Thanks again

[@iapmadteamlead1486]

This video takes it to such a higher level. I have been blessed enough by having the opportunity of living in many countries in both hemispheres and now live in Georgia. I'm already planning a trip to the mountains in northern part of the state thanks to this inspiring video.

[@johncmathews5729]

Powerful. Deserves more traction, and is effective Witt way. Thank you Ryan!

[@multipletanksyndrome]

Thank you for the beautiful footage.

[@mame6508]

wow The music and your words make me feel that I'm somewhere in the wild and mountains. thanks

[@BonsaiMirai]

Happy to have taken you with us. Get ready for the next trip.

[@Erikito00]

Correct, I felt the same.

[@jimedmunds5989]

When I watch this I am reminded why I was drawn into Bonsai in the first place. Such a beautiful piece, and if I dare say “Spiritual”

[@VTownGregory]

This was fantastic, beautiful, deeply spiritual. Here I go, off to see it again...

[@workshoptelescope]

I’ve been so desperately excited for this video. You guys really are doing something profoundly important.

Not only bonsai I learn from you guys, i learn deep meaning of nature and life... love you guys

[@lluisasastre]

I have seen the video after a yoga class, what more can I ask for😘

[@brucetharp7610]

This is a very enjoyable video and very informative!!!

[@boburrides]

how can I like this twice damnit! Beautiful

[@JO-ny2yr]

Ryan, I want to thank you for helping me keep my sanity over the last year or so. I watch your Mirai videos regularly and they do a wonderful job of keeping me calm in the face of all the rubbish going on in the world right now. But this latest video tops them all. It's pure magic - the land, the night skies, your thoughtful comments. It's things like this that keep my heart beating. Many, many thanks. And when this is all over, I'm going to drive down to Mirai from Vancouver Island, I swear!

[@DarthMasiah]

that was really nice. thanks for sharing.

[@Serentropic]

Mirai straight up giving me the chills

[@imluisnunes]

Just amazing!

[@kvg8133]

This was a great production all the way through. Fantastic job guys, and such an important message.

[@DavesBonsai]

Thanks for sharing the beauty!

[@raulalapizco3044]

Amazing video... Thank you.

[@CascadianFyn]

Crater Lake

[@begannamusafir9447]

Deep philosophical message in this superbly done presentation! being pessimist about our future and how we treat nature at present, i felt melancholic while watching!! Beautiful video! Thank you

[@snox7320]

The most important film you have put out. Very thought provoking .

[@copy2106]

Hey guys thanks for always uploading your videos in 4k. You are one of the few channels where I can really enjoy my screen. The video quality is great as always. 👍

[@bildahome]

Perfect!

[@benhuygen9699]

Thank you Ryan for being such a sensitive being and being able translating the things you feel into those poetic words. Very very very inspiring...!

[@mikepalm2882]

Hits the heart, remarkable, meaningful and inspirational isn't it

[@ralfish2008]

Theres bonsai; then theres Mirai. Thanks for the calm , impactful, work of art. I appreciate your words and willingness to share your exploration of what bonsai means to you and by extension to all of us. Exciting times on so very many levels. Normally, at this time of year, I'm up North, chasing steelhead on the dry fly. For the first time in nearly 25 years I didn't go because of extremely low returning numbers that won't even make the minimum spawning recruitment for the system. I've been at a total loss for the last month: a state of mourning. This isn't the first fishery that I have witnessed die either. Its the last of the ones I used to participate in. Everyone that I know who goes to this place, feels that is some sort of Mecca, or Holly place. Theres so much more than just the a wild steelhead swim out of your hands. And it was. Every year I brought back pics of rocks and a lot of trees. Always individual trees growing out of a crack in a rock or some old tree snapped off on the ridge of a wind blasted bluff and so on...communing with nature is what we all need; more people need to bring this into focus and make it an integral part of their lives. Only then will we see life's value isn't in converting hours of our finite lives into dollar bills..

[@joejohanesen1]

Amazing views of Crater Lake National Park!

[@ArfanD]

Bonsai is a work of art that never ends and is priceless.. I really like bonsai when I am tired from work, I come home to see bonsai. My mind is instantly refreshed.. regards one hobby

[@uwefriedrichs4511]

impressive pictures

[@RussellTLittle]

Great video

[@robertamurphy1124]

You are truly blessed.

[@sobatmasq]

my teacher is my nature 👍👍👍

[@luongden242]

Những cái cây thật tuyệt vời

[@alberthughes4957]

Just when I think I have seen your best, you come up with this stunningly beautiful piece. Well Done Mirai!

[@BonsaiMirai]

Thanks, Albert. Always aiming to level up our game.

[@hiby8767]

One word beautiful 💚🥰

[@Moicc]

Lovely, wish it was longer

[@bonsaibob8253]

This video reminds me of the American Shokun video where you reach inside yourself and let us come along for the trip. Thank You for all you do for your followers. Your family is awesome. Enjoy your time with them.

[@BahanBonsaiChannelBBC99]

Oke, mantap indah sekali!

[@anilkumarn6091]

Most probably God's nest somewhere here. Thanks for taking tour us also. Big salute from India 🇮🇳

[@jg00000]

Sime lovely shots. Yours sincerely, An organism.

[@maryoverton7245]

thank you

[@chrisbanner7551]

Spectacular

[@claudiucampean1392]

Gorgeous.....please, work, idea

[@MrBonsaibeginner]

Thank you

[@Maunkwew]

Wow super 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@gpaul8564]

Amazing.

[@joshuah604]

really great video, please do more of these, I would love to see a yamadori collecting video also.

[@chriscarol4965]

You should make the shot with the tree and the stars available as a wallpaper for download on your page… simply too beautiful not to share!

[@danielkosta3134]

That's a fantastic idea. I would definitely buy it.

[@frenchinnorway]

just wow

[@pabloguirao]

Que hermosa reflexión, gracias Ryan

[@juancarlosg9379]

Uffffff wonderful 😍😍😍

[@chrishavlin349]

Ryan ur a beast dude i wish i had just a piece of ur knowledge keep up the amazing work an thank u ...

[@MF-fc5vk]

Amazing piece of work Ryan. Loved this.! 😊 Very beautifully done!

[@marcelomachado5682]

Woww amanzing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻

[@chrisrigoni]

beautiful

[@ericbonheure7834]

So wild and pure. Getting emotional right now. Teardrops. What I've been holding back, afraid to say what I feel for all these years. Humanity does not seem to understand the fullness of our impact on other life forms. Crater lake...woaw! I'm a tree addict nearly from birth. Loving not human species in general. Trying to love the human ones is the hardest part, that's why I would like to beg the bonsai humanity...please, stop digging out trees. Please leave them in peace. The place where they live is the right spot for them to be. It is the birthright of no matter what kind of species to live and remain in peace and untouched. Please..!!!

[@banjopete]

Eric, they don’t care.