• Avian,  landscape,  meadowlark,  natural areas,  prairie,  writing/reading

    Be Snake Awake

    Meadowlark perched on a fence post

    Last week somewhere around this spot a white tail doe bounced through the field heading towards the trees in the background. This scene looks very different than last week because the hay was up to her back, guessing it was 3-4 feet tall. The hay has been cut, baled and most of it taken and stacked in some hay barn awaiting the coming winter. Something else different in this scene is one of “my” meadowlarks sitting on the fence post, singing a good morning song. Also enjoyed the sun’s rays shining through the clouds.

    Beware sign at the trailhead leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    This sign is located at the beginning of the trailhead, giving a fair warning. I have a friend who runs some of the trails along the foothills and says they have been seeing more snakes as we get closer to July and things warm up. These signs are important for those who are not familiar to the area and it’s dangers and a reminder to those who forget. I have only seen a couple of them over the past 20 years while exploring the trails. It’s a good idea to make a little noise just so they will scurry away.

  • Avian,  lake,  natural areas

    Periods of Silence

    Great Blue Heron at Dixon Reservoir this morning

    The strange look to this water is really the clouds reflected on the calm waters of Dixon Reservoir this morning. When I arrived there were several fishermen out along the shores including this Great Blue Heron. This is almost a 75% crop because it was shot at 55mm, thus it’s not the best image but the feel is what I wanted anyway.

    One of the reasons I come here is because of the silence. The nature area is right up along the foothills and does look down on Fort Collins and very little traffic to be heard. But, things seemed quieter this morning at the nature area, with several periods of complete silence, even with the meadowlarks. I did arrive earlier than usual which may be the reason. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

  • Avian

    Silly Goose

    A pair of Canada Geese and their goslings

    Good morning. Southwest airlines has been emailing me almost every day with offers. This mornings email was offering rewards for all days ending in “y”. Now I assume that includes Blurrsday.  We had thunder, lightning and rain throughout the night and into this morning. Anyway, I want to rant about the geese….

    I find the Canada Goose are interesting to watch. This morning I had a few thoughts I wanted to share with you. First they seem to have no real cares in life except for keeping an eye out for any natural predator, knowing where they are in the food chain. Political issues, the COVID virus, taxes, work stuff are just not a part of their life. They do not seem to be possessive of property but will defend a nesting female within about 10-20 feet of the nest until the young are hatched then it’s back to open land. The gander will fight to protect the female, defend the nest and the young. However, their fighting does not have the intention to kill. Or at least that’s what I’ve observed.

  • Avian,  quotes

    Loving all creatures…

    Female Cardinal

    “…the first intention of Nature is the preservation of the universe” and that all beings are striving for that goal.  Indeed, “God loves all creatures equally and fills them with his being.  And we should lovingly meet all creatures in the same way.” Meister Eckhart

    Stepped out of my condo this morning into a very silent world. There is no wind, no sound of cars. The world seems to have quarantined itself. I hear a chickadee singing to me their happy and short song. I did not need to leave the city to experience the quiet. Eerie feeling inside of me. So many people in fear and so many are indifferent. Stopped at the grocery store yesterday afternoon and so many items gone from the shelves. I noticed a newly opend restaurant serving breakfast this morning that no cars in its parking lot. Churches, schools, sporting events have closed. Amazing how such a small creature can affect the world so quickly. Shows how little power and how insignificant we humans really have. Sharing a few of my feelings and thoughts this morning. Stay safe.

  • Avian,  lifestyles

    Love my crockpot

    Goose feather with morning frost

    I found feathers strewn all over the back side of the bus stop this morning. Looks like a goose fight or a hawk may have found a feast. I was taken by the small frost crystals on the feather and knelt down to take this image. We will be seeing fewer mornings with frost over the next month or so. We reached 68 degrees today so it was a beautiful Colorado day.

    Give you an update on my simple surgery. To fix the ventral hernia they increased the length of the scar from my heart surgery. Hurts me to laugh and cough. Have not sneezed yet nor wanting to. I did not sleep well both Tuesday and Wednesday nights due to pain and discomfort. Slept much better last night and today was much better. Before I left for the bus this morning I put on a crockpot of sausage and vegetable soup, which I enjoyed this evening.  Love my crockpot!

  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  clouds,  landscape,  lifestyles

    I’m okay with a dirty car…

    Beautiful clouds in the eastern sky along Weld County Road 90

    When I’m restless it usually means I need to get out of town, so I did. I have been doing a lot of reading lately and some has been heavy stuff. I headed east to favorite spot along Weld County Road 90, turned the car off and just listened. Total quiet. Ahhh! I could feel the change within my soul. About the only sound I heard was the wind and a few Canada Geese as they passed overhead.  Healing was taking place. Seems I am needing more of the quiet and for longer periods of time.

    The roads however were muddy which means my car is now dirty. Actually, I think a car needs to be dirty and I do not say that because I’m lazy. Ironically, as I drove out there I passed one of the car washes and there must have been 20-30 cars in line. I questioned in my mind the need for them to waste good water. Yes, I’m okay with a dirty car.

    A line of Canada Geese making their way to one of the ponds or lakes near town after a day of fine dining in the fields
  • Avian

    Happy Thanksgiving

    Wild turkeys at Blendon Woods Metro Park in Columbus, Ohio

    “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” Winnie-the-Pooh