Mirai in the Wild: The Rockies

Colorado's Rocky Mountains form the backbone of North America and serve as a dividing ridge between continents. Ancient bristlecone and limber pine trees adorn these contrasting landscapes that make up some of the country's most stunning and natural environments.
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 nature's elements in the way the tree does-interpreting and expressing the aesthetic of nature through the art of bonsai.
Returning to his place of birth, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Neil finds a familiar yet unexpected relationship that flourishes amidst the experience of marveling at the grandeur of the Limber Pine Grove and the magnificent bristlecone pines of Windy Ridge.
These wild landscapes challenge our perceptions of vulnerability, durability, and openness to the fruits and bounty forged through our relationships with nature and humanity.
Through this journey, we encourage the self-exploration of one's environmental stewardship and how our actions affect the livelihood of these ancient forests to ensure their longevity for generations to come.
Check out previous episodes here:
Crater Lake: • Mirai in the Wild: Cra...
The Olympics: • Mirai in the Wild: The...

[@Angela-un2tx]

My drive to work everyday in the Columbia River Gorge shows beautiful examples🥰 I feel like I see things others don't. The wind swept Oak and Ponderosa, clinging to the cliff, half dead and weathered by the wind. It's special 💚

[@wardm4]

You deserve an award for this. Holy. Every person that sees this gets to witness something powerful that they otherwise probably wouldn't.

[@64ccd]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Beautiful video!

[@paulgoh2352]

I cannot help watching this clip again and again. Love it! You are the best, and lucky of me.

[@yoteslaya7296]

i was born in colorado and as a kid spent many of my days in the mountains behind my grandmothers house. For hours i would climb around by myself looking at the wildlife and nature, never really taking time to appreciate it, i just wanted to be a part of it. Now, 50 years later after starting my journey into bonsai i have a new appreciation for nature and see things from older more experienced eyes. But i'll always wish that for just one day i could go back in time and be that little kid on the hill who just wanted to be a part of nature.

[@JuanLopez-tp7hj]

I feel good knowing I’m not the only person who finds things amazing

[@federicosoromena4547]

Como siempre videos con mucha sensibilidad y de gran calidad.

[@my_bonsai_and_koi]

Thank you! Thank you for half an hour in another world. Thank you for the fascination, the strength, the transience, the resilience, the adaptation, the struggle for survival and the liveliness. Thank you for the silence, the thoughts, the moments, the inspiration and the recognition. Thank you for half an hour away from everyday life, problems, worries, needs and concerns. Thank you for this journey! Thank you!

[@BonsaiMirai]

You're so welcome. Appreciate the comment.

[@jussihamalainen6920]

seeing a tree that fell down but kept living against all odds to create something beautiful is a thing we can all learn from

[@BonsaiMirai]

That is definitely a consistent big take away lesson from visiting these ancient groves.

[@pauldockery1747]

Thank you

[@constanzetausch122]

What a wonderful video! Full of power and poetry as the trees are... Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

[@brucetharp7610]

This video is so incredible!!!

[@jorgegomez9163]

Incredible scenes. Thank you very much for the views and the inspiration. Looking forward for the next mirai in the wild. Great work

[@wilderphile]

That is a gorgeous video! Thanks for sharing that!

[@yannickschulpen5611]

ouffff Ryan.... What a powerful video. Your sense of beauty and the way you express these feelings are changing the world of bonsai and beyond. A sincere thanks to yourself and team, keep on Rockieing it!

[@lukthere2]

Beautiful video and mesage.

[@IrishMatt83]

What an amazing video. So well done, you should be super proud Ryan.

[@pechinartebonsai]

Very, very ver Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@iksanical855]

Good joob.BONSAI MIRAI..i like you.😀🙌

[@SamDoeckeAussiebonsaibloke]

Everything you said is how I feel looking at an old broken tree in the Paddock just clinging to life. The struggles, the regrowth Just to be knocked down again, now lying there wondering if the fight is worth it when the next battle is soo near. Yet they do live on not thinking of the future. Just today. Let's survive today. Great job Guys. Beautiful harsh place, glad you shared it 😀

[@BonsaiMirai]

Appreciate your thoughts, Sam. Thanks for watching.

[@lorigraham2496]

I love the Rockies. Without having to travel too far from home I can be in a shady, moist cedar grove, or another direction takes me to a hot dry hillside with high ponderosa pine (my favorite tree). I feel small, but comfortable just wandering amongst them.

[@rhondasanders4323]

I grew up in Colorado♥️. I Love it there❤️‍🩹. The wild n the beauty of the state is Breath taking. I miss Colorado So Much♥️. Thank You🌹

[@robertorossi1103]

Ryan, this video captures the essence of bonsai better than tons of words. Simply wonderful.

[@demianpuyolt3432]

Amazing footage .. love it

[@samiro1877]

Amazing piece of art! great inspiration....Loved it. thank you so much for going beyond

[@dustybare8983]

Beautiful.. I don't think I blinked through the entire video. ❤️

[@nettai-enbonsai]

Really one of the best videos in the bonsai world in my opinion. respecting, understanding, appreciating and sharing are fundamental keys for a better coexistence with the current world. this is the essence of bonsai art and especially of life, unfortunately many have forgotten it.... congratulations Ryan and todd for this amazing video and message! we need to reflect.... peace and good 🙏

[@stephenkacer7261]

That’s next level Mirai …🙏

[@erickillian313]

[@hermanvandervoort4807]

Wow strong guys,well done

[@ignaciogarcia7833]

Un video fantástico, por favor más como este Sr Ryan. Gracias

[@jack-nn2km]

amazing photography

[@darkotanko4650]

Ryan RESPECT!!!

[@CascadianFyn]

You've done it again. Awesome. 🌲💚

[@lukeselvon]

always good to see a new mirai video

[@BonsaiMirai]

We've got a lot coming up. :)

[@richardmutt1033]

Bellissimo! This is art

[@eliseyvorsin]

Потрясающее, красивое и очень вдохновляющее видео! Спасибо большое

[@gregoryh4601]

Ryan & Todd what you Two awesome men did in the Video was Breathtaking and knowing if two Men can make a Little Change to the Landscape. What could the World of People do for Earth and Mother Nature? In America, people take things and Don’t put back more what they taking. When will people learn to plant more Trees to SAVE THE PLANT? Thanks so much Ryan for your Dream in this Video. Peace be With You and Family

[@manuelgalvez-bonsai7761]

Increíble lugar,😍

[@arnaudinputselector]

very inspirational !

[@samsaguindel]

Thanks Ryan and Team, you gave me a feeling of being , one with bonsai

[@BonsaiMirai]

You're very welcome. Thanks for being on this journey with us!

[@rodrigolisboapenjing5060]

WTF?!?!?! This was just epic! Hugs from Brazil!

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

What a place, what an inspiration......

[@shawnpatterson7924]

Best video you guys have ever made. Loved it

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

This is absolutely outstanding; the whole wide world needs to see it!

[@marjaldelmoro]

Nature ever surpasses man!!!

[@edwardhudson7790]

Incredible video Ryan, this is the best thus far! Excellent work!!🤙🏼😎❤️

[@jjbbiology7315]

The trees, the place, the sounds, the heart that went into this was inspirational. I didn't think you could top the feature in the Olympics, but this is incredible work. I'm deeply moved by what you have created here. Although I have never been to this place, so many elements felt incredibly familiar to experiences and species I've shared time with throughout the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. To experience the reverence that others have for wild places is comforting. You did that through so many forms of art to make the experience a symphony for the soul. Still wiping away the tears. What a tremendous way to start a Sunday morning.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Really appreciate you sharing these thoughts. We're continuing to do our best to take all of you on an authentic stroll through these beautiful and inspirational places. More to come!

[@simonbremner2707]

Bravo! 👏👏👏

[@ericwatters5275]

Thank you for sharing glimpses of these moments. This video put in to words many of the reasons I'm drawn to Bonsai and the depth that is found beyond merely growing art.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Well you're in the right place, then. Mirai in the Wild has been a wonderful project to bring like minds together, and foster a community of those we connect with most.

[@helderoliveiraillustration]

thank you.

[@dawud7791]

Damn Ryan, what can I do to be a part of the Family at Mirai? I am a lone tree geek. I don’t know even one other Bonsai enthusiast locally. My friends and co workers think I’m weird When I come back from my lunch break with a tree I’ve harvested. Or when I start bugging out because I found old larch growing in town I appreciate your passion. It’s infectious and I need to surround myself with that kind of energy!

[@BonsaiMirai]

Mirai live is a wonderful space for like minded tree geeks. Otherwise, we encourage you to go to local clubs and find connections online with those that feel similarly. There seems to be a lot of lone tree geeks out there, and they should find each other then go on a hike and pick up a tree at a nursery on the way home. :)

[@bryanrusnak9900]

Same experience here in buffalo ny. I actually wrote Mirai like 3-4 years ago begging for an opportunity to come study at a time when my life was changing in some scary ways. Didn’t happen :/

[@danielkosta3134]

@@bryanrusnak9900 the Internet Bonsai Arboretum is in Rochester NY. Run by William Valavanis. Check to see what they might have going. Plus look for local bonsai clubs.

[@danielkosta3134]

That was International not internet. Damn. autocorrect!

[@cjrowley9192]

Thank you for working so hard on this & sharing it with us. It resonated with me. It encapsulated some of my own thoughts & deep feelings for the power, beauty, peace & wonder of the natural world. The best complement I can give is that it reminded me of camping in the wild with close friends. It’s the weekend, maybe I’ll go pack up the Land Cruiser now?!

[@sagebonsai]

Thank you, such beautiful and powerful moving video you brought to us.

[@tasanastasi7799]

I feel your emotions , your care , your sensitivity .. your passion , you are truly inspirational and your communication skills are a good as your bonsai art creations ..Bravo & Thank you for sharing .

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Trees that mother nature has groomed with her delicate touch, allow for those that seek her wisdom, to be touched by her beaconing, to be patient and understand her message to all of us. Matte Kudasai my children.

[@nenenjb]

Wow! Just AMAZING

[@Kumurajiva]

what you realized in your own are valuable. great vid, i love the shots of nature

[@danielkosta3134]

Such a beautiful and inspiring video experience. Seeing the way these great trees struggle against the natural forces and yet they survive is so incredible. As you work on a bonsai it draws you in. You are brought into the moment by the tree. For that time it seems that only you and the tree exist and there is nothing else that matters. The Zen of bonsai.

[@wreagin1]

Cool thing happened in your video. When you pan down to the pine cones there’s and ant crawling along the ground that happens to be a queen ant traveling to find her new nest to begins colony. You captured a cool moment there.

[@BonsaiMirai]

We had no idea it was a queen! Do you know the species? Some serendipitous magic definitely happened for that moment.

[@estherlovesveges]

This is the Way..

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Out of all your videos this is my favorite. So awe inspiring! Thank you.

[@michelesteen221]

This was such a powerful and peaceful production. You should submit this to the Sundance film festival. It is definitely on par with or even better than some other short films I have seen. Thank you for this beautiful video.

[@daaam2160]

8:35 what a view!

[@leecheatle2415]

"...don't make your tree look like a bonsai, make your bonsai look like a tree" Thank you John, thank you Ryan. Lee

[@danielkosta3134]

The great words of John Naka

[@alaineon7557]

Magnifique reportage la Nature simple , de ça magnificence qui crée ar grée des éléments sont Oeuvre sur la Nature....respect

[@Bittyroot]

Feeling good about feeling bad is the root of the blues

[@t3dwards13]

And thank you all for sharing your words, visuals and journey (your diamond)... With all of us! I've lost many due to heat this year as well, but I'm no professional so it doesn't hurt me as bad. With this, and the two interviews you've recently posted... I truly believe you're a large part in a revolution of the art.

[@sibaldispatch]

Amazing video!!!! Waiting for the next one!

[@BonsaiMirai]

Excited to bring you all more. Thanks for the comment, Adrian.

[@douglasyokoi7805]

that is one of the most inspiring videos I have seen..! Even outside of our bonsai nerdness! I really hope you have the means and opportunity to reach other ancient locations and share your impressions! Big fan from Brazil! Congratulations Ryan, Todd and all of Mirai team for making this possible and sharing with the world!

[@TonysBonsai]

What a superb watch. Amazing trees, with beautiful cinematography, and production too. I completely agree that there is a massive connection between being present and in the moment and bonsai - Zen.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Thanks for sharing, Tony. Glad you feel similarly.

[@terryc8674]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!! thanks so much for sharing this 👍

[@DrunkBonsai]

Loved it!

[@brucetharp7610]

I cannot say enough about trees like this! I am always looking for calendar prints of trees and landscapes like this.

[@9svm]

so inspiring!

[@jugado219]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Helps me understand conifer bonsai a lil more now. I always thought, wth is it with this weird bonsai looking conifers ,looks very unrealistic. But I lived in the tropics and Florida my life so I did not know that this is how they wrong in nature. I would have not see this habitat in many years or maybe nerever in my life time in person. Thank you guy!

[@Breathing_bonsai]

❤️ love this

[@chrisbanner7551]

Bodacious

[@pedroreyes5158]

Beautifulllllll....

[@wabisabi3619]

Beautiful, thanks Mirai team! Australia is beautiful but these mountain/alpine environments you have over there stir something completely different within me. So thank you for sharing the experience with all of us.

[@calvinchau5479]

Thanks for sharing. Wonderful video and narration. The survival of trees through rough environments. Like us human going through life.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Feeling comfortable enough to reflect on our own lives is one of the great luxuries of making it out into the wild world. Whether that's a garden if your back yard or an ancient grove in the Rockies.

[@bboyoutcast2430]

Wauw thank you so much

[@chiseledslinky1314]

that was so good !

[@arpeeaitch5942]

Impressive and inspiring!!!

[@Musicfridayz]

great video

[@scheers100]

Thank you for showing us a glimp of a great inspirational environment, and what effect it has on the trees! Thank Mirai

[@Agropelters]

Close your eyes... fall in love.... Stay there.... - Rumi

[@conspiraterry7393]

This video is such a gift! Talk about bonsai inspiration! The photography so great and your insights with our connection with nature so on point. This is where we are at. To aspire to learn grow and survive and be cognizant of who we are with nature is everything now. These old trees speak to us teach us so much. Thank you for putting this out, I am going to watch the other in this amazing series.

[@alfredgrechbonsailicious4827]

Waww

[@TejaJaensch]

❤

[@1DjBBQ]

Impressive work guys!

[@Kkzmakeup]

Absolutely breath taking!

[@BonsaiMirai]

This one's a bit longer than the others so remember to breath.

[@mariakellner5429]

Stunningly beautiful, I'm so glad to be a newbie at bonsai, and seeing this splendor through your eyes, your recounts of what it may have been, tfs Ryan,and to style a tree in plane air ,what a feeling.

[@arnoldmmbb]

Thank you very much Ryan and all the Mirai team for sharing such a inspirational and quality content

[@BonsaiMirai]

We love creating these pieces for a community that appreciates it like you do.

[@mirkonicosiavinci8972]

Grazie di condividere questa emozione

[@BonsaiMirai]

Prego, grazie per essere qui.

[@mirkonicosiavinci8972]

@@BonsaiMirai ❤️🙏

[@blaise.h5166]

I’m from the heart of the Rockies and the trees that I’ve found up high are the most impressive trees I’ve seen and I love seeing that be captured. It is just so hard growing at 9000ft w 3% humidity at 90* sometimes. I’m trying though

[@kirang6364]

Freaking,so stunning research. Ryan bonsai technique is one of the best, best and best in the world; these trees zen and dead structure is absolutely overwhelming ; I hope lots of bonsai artists can lern wind swift and zen dead technique from this video. Thank you so much Ryan I ❤ your patience and quite appreciate your creative flim god bless you buddy

[@memyself1670]

I hadn't realized that Mirai lost so many trees this year do to heat. Glad you were able to come back to Colorado for a little bit and do this amazing video. I am guessing other nurseries every where have lost bonsai trees as well.

[@michaelbullington6334]

Beautiful video, endless inspiration

[@stonemonkey1968]

Simply superb Ryan and team Mirai. So inspiring and insightful 👏👏👏❤❤❤

[@BonsaiMirai]

Appreciate you, Andrew! Excited to share the wild adventure we had with you soon!