• Avian,  lake,  sunsets

    Last Nights Concert

    Sunset over Timnath Reservoir
    Sunset over Timnath Reservoir

    Went to the concert at Timnath Reservoir along County Road 13 last night. Performing artists were by the Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, meadowlarks, at least two grackles, and  croaking frogs. I pleased to see for the first time a special performance put on by several Western Grebes.

    Western Grebes in a rushing courtship
    Western Grebes in a “rushing” courtship

    I witnessed several pairs of grebes rise in the water and scurry across as in the image above. Excuse the poor image as they were beyond the reach of my lens. This dance was a new experience for me. As it is a mating time I guessed it to be some courtship and had to look it up when I got home. This courtship happens entirely in the water and is known as “rushing,” where two birds turn to one side, lunge forward in synchrony, their bodies completely out of the water, and race across the water side by side with their necks curved gracefully forward. It was awesome and a great way to finish my day.

  • lake,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Sunrise

    Freemont Lake near Pinedale, Wyoming
    Fremont Lake near Pinedale, Wyoming

    “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

    Buddha

    This was taken on a road trip back in 2003 about 6 months after purchasing a Nikon D100, my first digital camera. It’s the first of many practice photos iv taken since.

  • lake,  landscape

    Here it comes!

    Bright Twinkling Stars

    As I post this image the sun is shinning. However, the wind is picking up and dark clouds approach from the North. The temperature is a nice 58 degrees, yet they are predicting temperatures in the teens tonight and near zero the next two nights. The daytime highs will not be much above freezing as Old Man Winter moves in. So, I decided to post this bright and cheerful image from Saturdays walk. Stay warm!

    PS: It’s now noon and temperature is at 28 degrees. We dropped 30 degrees in 4 hours and had light snow. Brrrr!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  lake,  landscape,  moon,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Crescent Moon and Reflection

    Crescent Moon and Reflection
    Crescent Moon and Reflection

    Here is another pre-dawn image from the Arapaho Bend Nature Area. I arrived earlier than expected so I walked along a narrow path to the North end of the pond, where I took the image. I spotted something dark on the path that startled me as I walk along in the dark. I chuckled when I realized it was a pile of horse manure. Nothing to be frightened with. Within seconds I found a second smaller pile, only this time I did not see it. Yep, I stepped in it. The life of a photographer. 🙂

  • clouds,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas

    A late post.

    Looking East Over Fort Collins
    Looking east over Fort Collins after the first storm

    We have had two nice rains this afternoon, nice gentle rain but giving us about .8 inches of much needed moisture. After the first storm moved through I drove up the dam on Horsetooth Reservoir to shoot out across the city and eastern plains. The second storm moved in behind me while walking around Pineridge Reservoir at the foot of the dam. I go a bit wet but loved the smell and refreshing cool air.

  • clouds,  HDR,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas

    Just what I needed

    Riverbend Ponds
    Riverbend Ponds

    Yesterday brought overcast skies and gentle rains throughout the day. Along with the rain and clouds comes cooler temperatures, almost had a Fall feel to it. Late in the afternoon the clouds broke and sunshine once again brightened up evereything. A sudden impulse to head out with camera and tripod for one of the nature areas led me to the Riverbend Ponds.  Clouds then began to build up to the northwest, darkening the sky. Rumblings of thunder let me know I was not going to have that much time out there. About 45 minutes of walking and taking a few images I started seeing raindrops on the water, telling me it was time to head back to the car. I just finished a 3-day trip Saturday afternoon so I needed the time away from the city and people. The Red-winged blackbirds were singing, while sparrows and swallows would sweep down and skim along the water surface searching for dinner. And, every so often a fish would break the water as it took some insect off the surface of the water, leaving circular ripples to move across the water. It was just what I needed.

  • lake,  sunsets

    A Smile On His Face

    Sunset at Lake Loveland

    I spent some time just looking out across the lake last night, watching this fisherman catch a couple of small mouth bass and I took in the scene. He says he comes here and fishes this area only, about a 50 foot stretch. If the fishings good his wife understands when he comes home at sunrise with a smile on his face.