My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
We can be at every sunrise, at the same location, with the same camera and tripod, for the next 50 years and never come home with identical images. Each will always be uniquely different. Nature is always giving us some new gift. I like that about nature.
Happy Father’s Day!!
“We go to prayer to be transfigured ourselves, to come to see the world as God sees the world, to practice the presence of God, to put on a heart of justice, of love, and of compassion for others. We go to become new of soul.”
Joan Chittister
Awoke to heavy fog, so needless to say I was excited. I needed to meet friends for breakfast on the east side of town so I drove to Arapaho Bend Natural Area for fog images first. Surprisingly no fog as it all seemed to be along the foothills. Not to be dismayed I pulled over, setup my tripod and camera because there had to be an image offered. And, there was. It’s simple and there is a small amount of fog/mist sitting on the water’s surface on the far side where there is some shade. I would have loved to stay and pray in that sacred place but needed to meet my friends. I must say breakfast and conversation was great and is its own form of prayer! Hope you have a great Saturday!!
“In the spring, when the thickets are green … One of our sweetest, loudest songsters is the [Western] meadowlark; this I could hardly get used to at first, for it looks exactly like the Eastern meadowlark which utters nothing but a harsh disagreeable chatter. But the plains air seems to give it a voice, and it will perch on top of a bush or tree and sing for hours in rich, bubbling tones.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Writing makes a person vulnerable. It opens you to public criticism, to ridicule, to rejection. But it also opens conversation and thought. It stirs minds, and touches hearts. It brings us into contact with our souls. So how can it possibly be a waste of time, an idle act, a mistake, a betrayal of truth? Who can possibly tell us not to do it?
Joan Chittister
I have two outlets for writing, my journal and this blog. Reflecting back, I believe journaling was a way to ask questions in hopes of understanding my confused life. I journal about my deepest fears, secrets, dreams, my spiritual journey, ask questions and use it as a way to put into words how I see and experience this beautiful world. Over time my journals have evolved into more of a letter/prayer addressed to myself, the Divine within me and my children. It has become an enjoyable daily habit.
I also use this blog as a place of vulnerable writing. It is here I express my feelings and thoughts, use it as conversation to keep in touch with those who read my blog, and also attempt to put into words how I experience this world. I place myself in a vulnerable place when I post in both my words and images. I enjoy the risk.
But, I also hear those voices telling me I can’t write, I have nothing important to say and only certain gifted people are writers. But, the truth is no one can tell us we are not writers. Today, I can say I’m grateful for these outlets on writing and the adventure of finding questions that lead to more questions. And so I agree with Chittister, writing makes a person vulnerable.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
John O’Donohue
Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University says we’ve received 4.06 inches of rain in the past 14 days and more rain expected tomorrow. Therefore mushrooms are everywhere. And, here’s my proof.
We have had a beautiful day with blue skies and sunshine. As I sit on my porch and type this I watch and listen as the wind dance with the trees. Robins, blue jays and goldfinches sing. The fragrance of the locust and linden trees fills the air. I will post this and then drive to Riverbend Ponds for some bird photography or at least a nice walk. Grateful as this day has been a sacred gift.
The very meaning of Creation is seen to be an act of worship, a devoted proclamation of the splendour, the wonder, and the beauty of God. In this great Sanctus, all things justify their being and have their place.
Evelyn Underhill
Rain and more rain. Overcast skies and a fine mist seems to be the norm for the day. This image was taken yesterday afternoon on a walk at Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I believe this to be a Musk Thistle from my research on Dr. Google. There are an amazing varieties of thistle so how any scientist can differentiate them is beyond me. Anyway, it’s unpalatable to wildlife and livestock so they focus their foraging on other plants, which leaves the musk thistle to have an advantage over native meadows and grasslands. Thus it is considered an invasive plant. When I do the research most sites want to stress the plants invasiveness and how to control it. Most sites say that natural grasses will out compete them. Such a simple solution. For me I think it’s a beautiful plant among the grasses and does bring awe and wonder to my soul. Maybe that’s their place and justification for existence. I came home with muddy shoes, a few photos and a clearer head. Great medicine. Have a great day!
nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
I was cleaning out a drawer when I came across a set of graduated neutral density filters, a filter holder and adaptor ring. Not sure how long ago I used them. But, nostalgia took over and I took them with me to play with one morning. That was all it took for me to remember why they were in the drawer and not in my camera bag. They were awkward, brought on frustration and reminded me that I’m not a professional photographer selling wall size prints. I shoot because of my love for the craft, its creativity, the time it offers me in nature and its simplicity. The improvement in Lightroom masking has made it easier and better to bring forth the images I want for my enjoyment and this blog. No need for graduated neutral density filters or the nostalgia.
They had some major flooding east of here yesterday and we are expecting more rain today. Stay dry!
Just as I was about to get into my car at about 4:50 am I noticed a raccoon across the parking lot making their way towards Julie’s condo. She has one of those large planters just outside her bedroom window that now has a Canada Goose nesting there with about 5-6 eggs. I watched as the goose stood her ground with her eyes focused on them. Luckily there was no conflict as the racoon moved on to find easier pickings.
I then drove out to the open space at the intersection of William Neal Parkway and County Road 9 and setup my tripod for pre-dawn and sunrise photos. A good way to start may day. Lots of activity already going on there. Great Blue Herons wading the edges of the pond, geese and ducks floating above, meadowlarks singing, and barn swallows darting everywhere. I stayed for about 45 minutes and spent way too much time swatting the mosquitoes the barn swallows were missing. I really do like this area and the sunrise view it offers. I’ll post more images from this location later. I decided not to post another pre-dawn or sunrise image but instead posting this Western Kingbird taken this past Thursday afternoon. Rain expected later today. Enjoy your weekend!
The morning temperatures this time of the year are comfortable enough for me to stand or sit as I watch and wait for the sun to crest that horizon. I like to think the birds are singing because they are happy to see me again, which in turn makes me happy. This morning I sat on a favorite rock and I let everything soak into the ground of my very being. The only words needed in this silent prayer is just my presence. As I sit here a thought runs through my mind, “What if I’m not so much of an observer of this moment but more of an essential part of it.” Some voice within me suggests that this scene would be incomplete, definitely not the same, if I was not here to be a part of it. I apologize for another sunrise image, yet each one is so uniquely different. Thinking I need to write a post about that statement. Have a wonderful day!!
Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.” … [My dark side says,] I am no good… I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.
Henri J.M. Nouwen