• coffee shops,  writing/reading

    A Coffee House

    May 30, 2014
    Morning Journal Time
    Morning Journal Time

    I do not have a specific time of the day I journal. I can be motivated to pick up my pen and journal when the mood strikes or I need to clear my head. Like my camera it is always with me. That could be the reason I post a few images of my journal and pen. 🙂 In Old Town there are nine small mom and pop coffee houses that I wander into. There is a difference in how each coffee shop makes their lattes so through experimentation I learn when to order a mocha, an Americano or chai latte. There is also a difference in the ambiance in each of them. The feel of each coffee house is based on the decor, the baristas and as well the customers. I may have to write a review on each of them as a short project. That also gives me justification for spending my money at these places.

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street

    San Francisco

    May 29, 2014
    Empty Basketball Court
    Empty Basketball Court

    It can be surprising what we encounter when looking back over the archives.  I took this image back in 2003 when on a 3 day trip to San Francisco.  I stayed in a hostel and walked the streets with camera in hand. I really like this image and surprised it did not affect me back then.

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  • Avian

    Killdeer

    May 27, 2014
    Killdear
    Killdeer

    Killdeer is a medium sized plover that hangs around lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, open wetlands and parking lots. And, in this case, a field along County Road 13. They run in spurts, stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they’ve startled up any insect prey. They have a distinct far-carrying call that sounds like “kill-dee” or “kill-deeah-dee-dee.”  I’ve hear that sound after dark and they will often give it in flight as the bird circles overhead. I like watching them and listening to them. Much preferred sound than a honking and busy street.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas

    Memorial Day

    May 26, 2014
    High waters at Arapaho Bend Nature Area
    High waters at Arapaho Bend Nature Area

    The Poudre River finally went over its banks yesterday. Those clouds I posted yesterday turned dark and ominous and brought rain to the Poudre Canyon. So along with the recent rains and the spring runoff they now have a flood advisory in effect through Monday afternoon, with waters expected to reach 7.2 feet Monday. The water level measured 6.6 feet Sunday morning. Its flooding stage is 7.5 feet. They had one rescue yesterday afternoon from a kayaking incident. What were they doing on that water and with it raining? The bicycle trails along the river are closed off. I went out along the Riverbend area where the trail is much higher. I noticed lots of logs and trees going down stream.

    Today is a day for Americans to celebrate those men and women who died serving in the military. So, I pause and give thanks and offer a prayer. I also pray for those who lost loved ones during a war. May you have a Happy Memorial Day!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  trees

    Love the Clouds

    May 25, 2014
    Storm Clouds
    Clouds at Riverbend Ponds

    Been a busy morning, on the go for most of it. I headed out to the Riverbend Ponds because the storm clouds are breath taking today. We have had three consecutive days of thunder storms in the afternoon bringing heavy rains, lightening, flooding and even tornados along the Colorado Front Range. They are predicting two more days of the same thing and these clouds look like the potential exists. With spring runoff beginning and the heavy rains the creeks and rivers are full and in some places out of their banks. This is true of the Poudre River at the Riverbend Ponds. They have part of the bike trail closed off. Even though the storm clouds are natures way of showing its power, I love the clouds. Hope everyone enjoys the 3-day weekend.

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  • animals

    Oh, to be a squirrel

    May 22, 2014
    Making Ete Contact
    Making Eye Contact

    Outside my condo is a squirrels nest located in the upper branches of a tree. I enjoy observing their daily life. At times I wonder what it would be like to be one of them. As aging causes me to slow down with aches, pops and cracks I’m envious of their enormous energy. They scurry everywhere, always on the alert for danger but living life to the fullest. Their day seems to be full of searching for food, chasing each other in a game of tag or claiming territory and chattering. Their beautiful fluffy tail that makes them cute and  is also works as a warm blanket for colder weather. They twitch those tails when they are scared, mad, uneasy, a predator is in the area and/or a way to leave their scent from their glands to other squirrels. The twitching of their tail is a way for them to get the message to the other squirrels that danger is around. It is my warning to keep my distance.

    They are not worried about mortgage payments, unnecessary wars, or what’s happening on facebook. After a busy day and the sun falls below the horizon they climb up to their nests made of twigs and leaves and curl up for the night. I imagine sleep comes quickly as nature rocks them to sleep. Yep, life is about living it a day at a time.

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  • sunsets

    I Like That

    May 21, 2014

    Sunset on Country Road 13
    Sunset on Country Road 13

    I watched him stop and turn the white pickup truck around. I knew he was coming to check on me. He’d watched me pull over just after we’d passed each other on the dirt road. It is nice to know there are caring people wanting to make sure we’re okay. I often wonder what goes through peoples head when they see an old man siting in the bar ditch, camera mounted on his tripod about two feet off the ground, adjusting our GND filters and watching the sunset. They watch as we swat at mosquitos and flies but have a smile while the frogs croak in the distance. When he saw what I was doing he just slowly drove on by, offering a friendly wave. This is not the only time I’ve had people check on me. I like that.

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  • Black and White,  Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street,  Fujifilm X-E1,  rants

    I Used To

    May 20, 2014
    Bicycle in Old Town
    Bicycle in Old Town

    My blogging world has changed over the past couple of years. I do not read the blogs I enjoy on a daily basis. I used to. I do not set aside a time each day, or every other day, to write a post. I used to. I do not shoot everyday. I used to.  I do not post process images every day. I used to. None of this is a bad thing but different from the past 8 years.

    I could come up with a few reasons for this change but this post is not going into that. As some know my home life changed a year and a half ago when my youngest daughter and her two teenage children needed to move in with me. That, my friends is a dynamic change, probably 10 stops of light.

    I’ve, also moved into my retirement phase of life. Now that is an adjustment. I am enjoying spending more time in solitude, searching out places of quiet in parks, nature areas, churches. My retirement requires a financial adjustment on my part. I have to watch for those GAS attacks. There is no supervisor to hold me accountable, it’s up to me to get all those required tasks done. Yes, things are different as I move into this second phase of life.

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