• clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    I Love Clouds

    “People who take time to be alone usually have depth, originality, and quiet reserve.”

    John Miller

    A cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of minute liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may compose the droplets and crystals. On Earth, clouds are formed as a result of saturation of the air when it is cooled to its dew point, or when it gains sufficient moisture (usually in the form of water vapor) from an adjacent source to raise the dew point to the ambient temperature. They are seen in the Earth’s homosphere, which includes the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere. Thank you Wikipedia for expressing the scientific side of what a cloud is. I look at them and see nature’s palette for creating breathtaking art.

    There may be a quiz tomorrow on this, so be prepared. 😳

  • fountain pens,  journal,  writing/reading

    The Lookout

    I mentioned in a comment that I have a pen case for my fountain pens. This pen case is made by Nock Co. and is called a Lookout. It’s made of 1000D Nylon with DWR coating. I’ve had this one for 3 or 4 years. It keeps my pens safe from damage and not as easy to misplace as a single pen. I checked out their website and they no longer carry this color.

  • clouds,  gratitude,  landscape,  sunrises

    A Grateful Heart

    Today is my 71st birthday and this is how I started the day. I awoke early, just before 4:00 am, wide awake. Made a trip to the bathroom which is something we do more often when we reach this age. Got up at 4:01 am, had my quiet time, made a chai latte and headed to Weld County along County Roads 90 and 13.

    The slideshow is a series of images as the morning progressed. You can click on the slideshow for a larger image and manually walk through the images. Nature gave me the most wonderful birthday gift with beautiful clouds, a colorful sunrise and a chorus of meadowlarks. I was surrounded and immersed in creation. Spending time in nature is our real home, as John Muir suggests. I have a full and grateful heart.

  • fountain pens,  poems,  poetry,  quotes,  writing/reading

    Saying Something

    When ink joins with pen, then blank paper can say something.

    Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks

    This is my latest pen, a Pelikan M205 in Marbled Petrol. It is a swirly teal, blue and green, translucent resin body with a black cap and finial with silver trim. I have Pelikan Aquamarine colored ink in it, which I think matches nicely with the body. As with all my fountain pens and journals I believe there are words hidden within them. It is our task to pick them up and be a part of the process to say something on blank paper.

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

    Meadow of Gold

    cloudless horizon 
    chorus of song birds rising
    in meadow of gold 

    ms

    Sadly this image shows the smoky haze sitting along the Colorado Front Range from all the fires burning in the southwest. The haze hovers just above the horizon combined with a mix of emission pollution. There are currently, 47 large fires that have burned 519,761 acres across the country, per the National Interagency Fire Center website. The haze gives everything a golden glow to it. Today is expected to be in the 90’s. Be safe, stay cool!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    This Landscape

    Sunrise over Dixon Reservoir

    I was never content to stand apart from the landscape, looking in, being a transient visitor—a tourist, an outsider—showing up to harvest an image or practice some form of recreation before moving on. When in a place that interests me I am not content just seeing it; I want to be a part of it, to immerse myself in it, to know it, to become comfortable in it. Certainly I might accomplish these things in a great variety of places, but they take time to evolve. And my time, alas, is limited. I have made my choice, and there is no doubt in my mind that I chose well. It’s not about the landscape; it’s about this landscape.

    Guy Tal

    I’m aware I lean towards Guy’s idea of immersing myself into the landscape and desiring to experience it. I confess that for many years my interest in landscape photography has been in harvesting the image. I would then share it for the likes and the oohs and aahs I imagined everyone is making.

    I’m also aware that to know and be comfortable with the landscape requires me to be there on a regular basis. I think you will agree immersion in the landscape can’t happen from our recliner or desk or someone else’s images. It may mean we must sit in the cold, rain, snow, heat, or swat at the tiniest bugs when we would rather sleep in late. Or relax at some coffee shop with a mocha. We can only fully experience this landscape when we are there and present to it. So, I will continue my mornings within the landscape. And, yes, time is limited.

  • Avian,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area

    Spotted Towhee

    Spotted Towhee

    Since I’m learning to identify more birds I am giving you my best guess at what each one is. This is one of those guesses. Some birds it’s no problem but these birds are all so related, hang out in the same family, sound alike, fly similarly and look just like their cousin. Anyway if this is not a spotted towhee, forgive me. 😁 Have a great weekend!

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

    Among the Salsify

    among the salsify
    return to a sacred place
    morning sunrise

    ms

    Awoke early so arrived at Pineridge Natural Area just after 5:00 am. It was already 69 degrees and hardly any breeze. Quiet all around me. A stillness. I walked down the trail from my bench to where there are several salsify plants and patiently waited with them for this morning’s sunrise. I take deep breaths, grateful for life. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!