Studying Nature for Artistic Inspiration

I've recently decided that I wanted to get into drawing again, and perhaps even graphic designing. So, I’m planning on taking a couple of classes in school. But until those classes start I thought I’d take a little walk around the city and take pictures of nature; namely, to study the beauty of each specimen. Before I decided to go outside to take these photos I sat with my notepad and pen and began to draw leaves, flowers, and the like…but soon realized that my drawings seemed a bit flat and lifeless. I soon realized that I need to get outside and spend time with the plant life and really study them—examining the colors, shapes, textures, and shadow. I’m never surprised at how nature can really remind me of what I’m passing by and ignoring when I’m always rushing and indoors. I had such a great time taking photos of all these plants and now I’m craving to do it more. I’m assuming, if I’m craving to spend time outdoors it means I should really slow down and not spend so much time consumed by technology, right? Sometimes I get mad at myself for not doing more outdoorsy things—especially because of the city I live in. I have so many things to do around here and I never do them. I think it’s about time I did something about that.