• landscape,  National Parks,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Sprague Lake

    “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

    Laura Ingalls Wilder

    My friends Duane and Jan are working in an RV park in Estes Park so I made a day trip up there yesterday. We grabbed a bite to eat then headed into Rocky Mountain National Park. It has been a while since I ventured into the park for photos. The day was wonderful and fulfilling as we got to see moose, elk, deer and the beauty of nature. We took a nice walk around Sprague Lake where this image was taken. Sprague Lake is a very shallow lake built up by Abner Sprague to support the lodge he operated here from 1920-1940. Most of the lake is no more than a few feet deep and at times you may see elk or moose out in the middle of it. It has a 3/4 mile walking trail around the lake with many photo opportunities.

  • Uncategorized

    Predawn Mystery

    Sunrise at 5:32 am

    Perfectionism is a mean, frozen form of idealism, while messes are the artist’s true friend.

    Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

    As many of you already know, one of my favorite times of the day over the past few years has been those times we refer to as twilight or predawn, right before sunrise. In my eyes these times are a continuation of my morning prayer and meditation. When I am able to start my day with nature in the pre-dawn, my intentions for the day will be in a much better place. I will therefore handle challenges and messes of the day much more gracefully. Notice I did not say I handle them perfectly, just much more gracefully. 

    And sunrise taken 11 minutes later

    As many of you know, I also post a lot of sunrise images. Some are decent enough to share here. Some will not be close to printable images. Some were such a mess they are  gone, discarded into cyberspace, never to be seen again. Yet, every image I’ve taken has been an opportunity to learn. Admittedly, I’ve repeated several of those lessons. This begs the question, do these messes make me an artist? I’m going with yes.

  • landscape,  natural areas,  nature,  quotes,  storm clouds

    Its self and its form are one…

    Ominous clouds and rain at the Trailhead

    The poet wants to drink from the well of origin; to write the poem that has not yet been written. In order to enter this level of originality, the poet must reach beyond the chorus of chattering voices that people the surface of a culture. Furthermore, the poet must reach deeper inward; go deeper than the private hoard of voices down to the root-voice. It is here that individuality has the taste of danger, vitality and vulnerability. Here the creative has the necessity of inevitability; this is the threshold where imagination engages raw, unformed experience. This is the sense you have when you read a true poem. You know it could not be other than it is. Its self and its form are one.

    John O’Donohue

    I felt a bit restless and leaning on the discontent side of things Sunday afternoon. I would say it’s what O’Donohue calls “the private hoard of voices” that sometimes hang out in my head. My solution was some journaling time, a walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and connecting to the poem of nature (I like that phrase). After journaling I decided I better get a walk in before it rained as the wind had picked up and darker clouds slowly moved in. Good timing as It began sprinkling by the time I walked back to the car but it never did rain. I have been fascinated by some wonderful clouds this spring and Sunday was another day for them. I accepted the gift nature offered me and now offer it to you!

  • flowers,  natural areas,  Plants

    Western Goat’s Beard

    Western Goat’s Beard at Pineridge Natural Area

    Western salsify was introduced into North America where it has become widespread, being reported from all the continental United States except for a few in the far south-east, and all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland and the northern territories. Like most salsifies, the western salsify grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb. The inflorescence opens early in the morning and often closes up by late afternoon. Later the plant forms a seed head resembling that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. Alternative names include western goat’s beard, wild oysterplant, yellow salsify, yellow goat’s beard, meadow goat’s beard, goat’s beard, goatsbeard, common salsify, or salsify. The basal leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Native Americans ate the roots, which are best cooked, and are said to taste like oysters. I took this image while at the natural area this morning. Happy Sunday!

  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  quotes

    Search for Truth

    In this respect fundamentalism has demonic traits. It destroys the humble honesty of the search for truth, it splits the conscience of its thoughtful adherents, and it makes them fanatical because they are forced to suppress elements of truth of which they are dimly aware.

    Paul Tillich

    I wish the church of my youth had encouraged me to seek my elements of truth rather than telling me what the truth was. Their truth has never been my truth.

    This is a panorama from 8 images stitched together in LIghtroom of falling rain and storm clouds stretching across the city of Fort Collins. Enjoy your Saturday! It’s time for a Dove’s dark chocolate. And, yes, another image of clouds.

  • street photography

    Very Slowly

    I don’t want to overwhelm anyone with all the cloud images l’ve been posting lately. So thought I’d post this rusting staircase in Old Town Fort Collins. Unlike clouds that constantly change every second, the stairs seem motionless and rust very, very slowly, making them easy to photograph. Happy Friday!