• Avian,  Canada Goose

    An Intercalary Year

    February 29, 2016
    Canada Geese Lifting Off
    Canada Geese Lifting Off

    Some days it seems like there are moments when things are not in focus and life is moving way too fast. These past two days have had those moments. I attribute some of it to restlessness, unnecessary worry, imaginary fears, apprehension, that relentless voice of self-doubt. Those moments can sneak up on me when I do not take time for quiet, meditation, exercise, good eating habits, good rest, time in nature and  community, all of which have become essential in my life. When I include these practices in my day I am better prepared for the days unexpected moments.

    A good example of this is the above image. I did not plan this shot because as a photographer I just was not prepared. 🙂 Happy Leap Day!

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street

    Basking in the Sun

    February 26, 2016
    Basking in the sun
    Basking in the sun

    A couple days ago I came upon this young lady sitting outside one of the classrooms on campus, basking in the warm sun. We have had blue skies and warm sunshine but cold nights, temperatures dropping below 20 at night. However, this weekend is predicted to be much warmer. Looking forward to it. Enjoy your weekend.

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee shops

    Working the Crossword Puzzle

    February 23, 2016
    Jill working on the crossword puzzle
    Jill working on the crossword puzzle

    If you have something to say about life, you must also find a way of saying it clearly. And if you achieve that clarity of both perception and the ability to record it, you will have created your own composition, your own kind of design, personal to you, related to other people’s, yet your own. The point I want to make is that there is no such thing as THE way; there is only for each individual, his or her way, which in the last analysis, each one must find for himself in photography and in living.

    Paul Strand
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  • architecture,  Church,  quotes

    A Feeling of Spring

    February 20, 2016
    Sunrise at the Oval
    Sunrise at the Oval

    A few patches of snow remain on any shaded area where the sun cannot reach. Students are walking on campus and riding the bus with t-shirts and shorts. The blue sky seems bluer.  There is only a small patch of ice remaining on the pond.  The days are getting longer. This warmer weather this past week is causing a bit of excitement within me. There is a feeling of Spring.

    “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” ― Ernest Hemingway

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  • architecture,  Art,  Church

    Use of Solitude

    February 19, 2016
    St. Josephs Steeple
    St. Joseph’s Steeple
    Baptismal Font at St. Josephs Catholic Church
    Baptismal Font at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

    “In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude.
    One must overcome the fear of being alone.”

    Rollo May

    While on a walk last week I ventured into St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. It was the time of day I like to visit when there are few people. There was one man praying the Stations of the Cross, otherwise I had it to myself. Churches are still a place in our city where I can find a place of quiet. Very little external noise finds its way in. I then use these places to sit and journal or meditate or read or all of them. 

    Solitude has become an important part of my life. I enjoy it and need it. My condo is a place of solitude, a sanctuary, a way to distance myself from the busyness of the world. Please don’t think I’m a hermit because I need community, to have people actively in my life. I find community with family, friends, coffeehouses, bookstores and libraries and in nature.

    I think many people attend church for weekend services and avoid weekdays. I am the opposite. I do not attend a church but spend time in church when most people are working. I go to churches for the quiet and solitude. And, I admit I am also seeking photo opportunities during these times, stirring my creativity and being open to a scene that can appear before me.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Experience Nature

    February 17, 2016
    Sunset: Cathy Fromme Nature Area
    Sunset: Cathy Fromme Prairie Nature Area

    “A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

    Albert Einstein

    We have been blessed with both awesome sunrises and sunsets for over a week now. Morning temperatures were down into the mid-20’s and daytime highs have actually reached 60 degrees. Scattered clouds have been filling our skies which adds to the beauty of these sunrises and sunsets. The above image is from the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area.

    I feel fortunate for the natural areas supported by the city of Fort Collins. The city manages 41 sites and over 36,000 acres locally and regionally. A couple of these nature areas are within walking distance of my condo while the farthest is about 25 miles north of the city. I have not spent much time at this farthest and newest nature area which is called the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. It is actually shared with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They have just brought bison into the area. Who needs to travel long distances to experience nature?

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  • landscape,  quotes,  trees

    A Walk Along the Kiowa Creek

    February 15, 2016
    Trees along the banks of the Kiowa Creek
    Trees along the banks of the Kiowa Creek

    “The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.”

    Nancy Newhall

    As I mentioned earlier in a post about our trip to the Texas panhandle, my cousin took my sister and I on a “heritage tour” that included places our parents and grandparents grew up. As we drove around I wondered what it was like to live in this area. There was no running water, electricity, paved roads, grocery stores, smart phones or the internet :-). I questioned in my mind how they survived. I think it was because they accepted and lived life as if they were a part of nature and not separate from it.

    Some people will be inclined to think this part of the country is desolate, uninhabitable, harsh and lacking any beauty. Yet, to me there is so much beauty. It is wilderness, even though man has tried to change it to meet his ways. Too see the beauty in all things, we must look and see with more than just our eyes. Nature is at work: creating it’s own beauty, surviving in harsh environments, evolving to ensure the existence of another generation.  It seems so much of us are distant from nature, separated by our buildings, pavement, malls, televisions. The wilderness is all around us, inviting us to ask questions, if we venture into it, something I feel the need to do more often.

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