• landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Seek to be love

    Sunset at Reservoir Ridge with smoke from the Cameron Peak fire.

    “But perhaps, rather than seeking to be loved, we should seek to be love.”

    Cedric

    This past Sunday evening, because there wasn’t have much smoke in the air, I made a quick run out to Reservoir Ridge. Just as I pulled up the sun began dropping behind the mountains. I grabbed the camera and got in 6 images before the scene was gone. The wind changed Sunday night, coming from the north-northwest, causing the smoke to drift over the city and front range. We expect more of the same today with a light foggy look to everything.

    Anyway, after taking the 6 images I did a walk to the bridge and back, about 3 miles. I had eaten a burrito earlier so I left my camera and journal behind and focused on the walk, jotting down what I experienced later. I’m noticing it is getting colder now that we’re in the first week of October. The humidity from the irrigated hay field next to the trail makes it even cooler for the first quarter mile. As I approached the pond I could hear the chorus of red winged blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds among the cattails. They sounded louder than usual and seemed like there were more of them. A sudden lull in their chorus caused me to stop walking, ears perked, but they quickly started up again. I then heard mallards calling out and watched as they made their landing approach onto the pond for the night. I watched milkweed follicles being released from their pods, floating across the open fields, clinging to leaves, cattails, rabbitbrush, natures velcro. Trees were showing their fall colors and releasing leaves for their fall descent. Even with cooler weather the mosquitoes buzzed around me but I don’t seem sweet enough to bite. When I returned to the car I couldn’t help but smile at the beauty I experienced in that short hour, even with the fires burning. Then a question crossed my mind from something I read this past week, does nature also seek “to be love” as Cedric suggests?

  • Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  sunsets,  trees

    Nice Reprieve

    An image of the sun about to set at a local park on Tuesday evening

    Thursday and Friday of last week were very smokey over the city. The smoke filters the sun and changes the colors and shadows of everything, bringing on an otherworldly look. It has an affect on peoples moods, adding stress to the pandemic and our countries unrest. On Friday evening I drove out to one of the natural areas because I thought I may find an image to show just how the smoke looks from here. The top image was taken about an hour before sunset, all is dark and gloomy and the sun has a deep red color.

    Thankfully, not everyday is like this. Saturday was a nice reprieve, winds blew in our favor so we enjoyed blue skies and not as much soot and ash falling on us. I’m wearing my mask practically all of the time and have my windows and doors closed just because of the snoke. It’s a good time to stay inside. Our Colorado sunsets are just not the same.

  • Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF35mm f2.0,  leaves,  lifestyles,  Plants,  seasons

    Moments of Surprise

    As I walked into my bedroom I noticed these leaves on the brim of my fedora. It was a moment of surprise because I did not place them there. The must have fallen on my hat while outside. I wore them in without knowing and placed my hat on the dresser without them falling off. A wow moment. I like it when life gives me one of these moments of surprise.

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops,  haiku,  lifestyles,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Morning Ritual

    Morning starburst at Mugs Coffee from my chair

    The smoke from the forest fires are now wind driven over the mountains and away from us, giving us a much needed reprieve this morning. We now have three fires burning: Cameron Peak Fire, Mullen Fire and Middle Fork Fire. The Mullen Fire has now moved into Colorado from Wyoming as it is a very aggressive fire. On a lighter note I enjoyed my morning mocha and clear skies.

    this day’s starburst
    promise of a brighter day
    my morning ritual

    mws