• Avian,  Fujifilm XF70-300mm f4.0-5.6,  Photography

    Majestic Beauty

    standing tall
    ever present to the moment
    majestic beauty

    ms

    I was startled by this heron as I came around a curve. They were standing in water along side of the road and immediately lifted off landing on the other side of the water and posed for me. So, I shot this from my car, hand held, motor running. Only made tone and contrast adjustments, no sharpening or clarity. Pretty much right out of the camera. Shot at 300mm f8.0 1/450 second and ISO 200.

  • landscape,  storm clouds

    Made it home

    My sister and I returned last night about 11:00 pm. The drive home took us about 15 and half hours due to lots and lots of road construction and some nasty weather. We encountered rain/snow mix just south of Colorado Springs until we reached home. It actually got pretty intense for awhile. A major stretch between Colorado Springs and Denver was driven in the dark with rain/snow and slush. Probably had an inch of snow when we arrived. The image above is what we were driving into and was taken just south of Colorado Springs on I-25.

    My sister, Sheree, and I feel we got done what we needed in helping my parents make this move. Her and I came home with some stuff, some of it is pure treasure. Good things happened yesterday as we made our way home. My parents home went on the market yesterday afternoon. They also found out yesterday their move in date will most likely be on May 19th. My sister, Marcee and her husband John, will be involved in making that final move happen. They will be living about 2 miles from my parents. So it is all working out nicely.

  • Cactus,  landscape,  Plants,  sunsets

    Update on my trip

    Sunset from my parents front porch

    Here’s an update on how things are going for my parents move. We have done a lot to clear out the house, getting it ready to sell and made a few minor repairs on the house. As you would expect after living here for the past 22 years there has been an accumulation of stuff, so we’ve made four sorted piles; one for trash, one for donation, one for us kids and one to take with them. I’ve had a wonderful time going through old photographs, albums, down memory lane.

    I am impressed with the assisted living facility my parents will be moving into. The facility is only a couple of years old and the staff were wonderful. In fact I would like to live there myself. They provide three meals a day and snacks all the time. Art room, library, music room, Yoga room, big dining room.

    Thursday and Friday were hot, 97 degrees, but much more comfortable today at 91 degrees. My sister and I flew down on Sunday and will rent a car to drive back to Colorado on Monday morning with the stuff we wanted to keep. Happy Mother’s Day!

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

    Wind Shaped Clouds

    captivating storm
    waves of ominous clouds
    solitary tree

    ms

    Took this late yesterday afternoon on Larimer County Road 3. What initially drew me to this scene was the clouds and then I saw the the solitary tree. The combination got me excited. These clouds were all around me but no rain. They are however, predicting rain later today and over the next 3-4 days. Had a short night of sleep and will probably nap on the plane. I’m almost packed and ready to leave. Have a great day!

  • haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    After Sunrise

    after sunrise
    dropped by a coffee shop
    morning mocha

    ms

    My parents made the decision to sell their house in Phoenix and move into an assisted living facility. So, my sisters, my brother-in-law and I will help them clear out a 1600 sq ft home and move into a 650 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. This is something they have talked about for a while and been a concern with my sisters, my brother-in-law and I for awhile. My parents finally asked my sister, Marcee, if she would check on everything, the facility and the money. She did a wonderful job of presenting them the options of staying in their house or living in an assisted living facility, then letting them make the decision themselves. It seems we all agree it’s a good decision. I fly out tomorrow for Phoenix. Not sure how long I will be gone so my posts may be sporadic or nothing at all. Enjoy your weekend! Oh, and Happy May Day!