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Monte Stevens Blog

My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.

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  • animals,  haiku,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  writing/reading

    Morning Visitor

    April 15, 2021

    morning visitor
    give one another distance
    keeping eye contact

    ms

    A cloudy and cold morning at Pineridge Natural Area. No wind, no bird songs, all was quiet. I was the only one there this morning. Seemed everyone else stayed in bed or had a second cup of coffee. There were several cottontails checking me out: Are you friend or foe? They have that alertness, always present to where they and you are. Where we seem to wander in thought, seldom staying present. I stayed more present this morning as I let them teach me.

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  • haiku,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  seasons,  silence,  snow,  winter scenes,  writing/reading

    Embracing Silence

    April 14, 2021
    The morning’s view at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    fresh blanket of snow
    covers cold open meadow
    demanding silence

    ms

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  • clouds,  gratitude,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  silence,  sunrises,  tanka,  writing/reading

    Predawn Sky

    April 13, 2021

    early predawn sky
    morning bird songs are silent
    quiet fills the air

    listen to the inner voice
    heart now filled with gratitude

    ms
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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  landscape,  lifestyles,  sunrises

    Morning Treats

    April 12, 2021

    This past week I was on the east side of town searching for sunrise photos and stopped by Bindle Coffee. Had a mocha and a maple knot croissant that was too die for. They had the fire pit on the patio going so I sat out there, keeping close to the warmth and enjoyed my morning treats. Yes, I do spoil myself.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    It Ain’t the Same

    April 11, 2021

    I just missed the red and pink of the sunrise because my warm bed held me hostage a few minutes longer than I wanted. Anyway, one thing I like about watching sunrises or sunsets is experiencing them with all my senses. I prefer to get out of my car, feel the cold wind (sometimes) and listen to the silence or the song birds or both. For this short period of time I’m trying to eliminate all man made noise. That is the connection I want with nature. Oh, I can sit in my car and watch the sunrise with the car running but it ain’t the same.

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  • Avian,  clouds

    Taking Off

    April 9, 2021

    Sitting on my porch yesterday afternoon with a friend when this Great BLue Heron landed in a cottonwood tree in front of us. I grabbed my camera and got off 6 images before they were gone. I have three images of them perched, which is the way we usually see them, but this action shot of them taking off was the one I decided to post. Shot with the Fujifilm X-T3 and the XF 16-80mm lens, at 80 mm at 1/1500 f6.4, ISO 160. I love the back lit feathers on their wings.

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  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  clouds,  gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  reflections,  sunrises,  trees

    Listening to Nature

    April 8, 2021

    I have friends vacationing in Hawaii with kids and grandkids. I’m a bit envious of them sitting on the beach working on a tan. All the photos they’ve sent include big smiles. Yet, this morning while visiting the Top Minnow Natural Area, I was reminded by the red-winged blackbirds and the meadowlarks of just how beautiful it is right here. They were reminding through their joyful songs to be grateful for where I’m at and what I have. These two Canada Goose told me the same thing. I’m learning to listen to the wisdom of nature more often.

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  • haiku,  leaves,  Plants,  snow,  writing/reading

    Winterish Image

    April 7, 2021

    early morning frost
    one last winterish image
    see new buds on trees

    ms
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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas

    I’m good with that…

    April 6, 2021

    This past weekend we set record high temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday. I wore sandals both days and short sleeve shirts. 😁 People were outdoors and some even got sunburned. I spent time Sunday afternoon at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I took this image to show you we still have snow in the foothills from the almost two foot snow storm we had three and a half weeks ago. Sunny this morning but expecting it to cool off this afternoon and enjoy refreshing rain showers. And, you can see the grass greening up. I’m good with that.

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  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  moon,  writing/reading

    The True Artist

    April 5, 2021

    moon in southern sky
    nature paints soft pastel colors
    the true artist

    ms

    This mornings third quarter moon. Silently nature just keeps creating art!

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