• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  trees,  winter scenes

    Cottonwoods

    January 26, 2022
    Cottonwood trees at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.

    Imogen Cunningham

    If you look closely on the right side of the trees you will see the remnants of the Old Straus Cabin. The cabin is located within the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. This cabin is an example of the early log structures. George Strauss built the cabin in 1864 and farmed the land around it, growing vegetables and raising cattle. These trees and the cabin sit right along the banks of the Poudre River.

    Cunningham’s attitude seems like a pretty good approach to improving our photography. Think I’ll give it a try. It was 2 degrees this morning when I left the condo. Now a blue sky and sunshine brightens the day but will see clouds move in later and snow beginning tonight and into tomorrow.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  Canada Goose,  clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  natural areas

    Random Formation

    January 24, 2022
    Geese flying over Rigden Reservoir

    There was a lot of chatter going up there as these Canada Geese flew over me. Had to chuckle as I imagined what they are honking up about. Do you suppose they are just like we are when we get in our cars and head somewhere? Were some complaining the goose behind them was following too close? Were some wanting to fly faster or slower? Were some being backseat flyers? Were some wanting to land here or fly on farther? Were some trying to control the formation, shouting instructions to others because the formation is not what they wanted? Do I even want to know? Not really but I had fun with my imagination. Have a great week!

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    Happy Birthday, Dad!

    January 17, 2022

    “I think the tragedy is that we have a Congress with a Senate that has a minority of misguided senators who will use the filibuster to keep the majority of people from even voting.”

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963

    Had a short night of sleep so I’m feeling tired and down. Not much ambition or drive. Decided to go out to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Found a bit of blue sky and clouds to lift me up. Glad I went when I did because it is now cloudy and overcast.

    It is Martin Luther King, Jr Day and many people are posting his quotes. I’m one of them. But, fifty years ago he was not all that popular a man and even labeled a communist, a radical and even dangerous. Prophets who stand up to injustice are treated as such. Some pay with their lives. May we have more prophets like him. I’m not capable of expressing my feelings about the brokenness of this country, because sixty years after he made this statement we still have a Senate that does not represent the people. Sigh!

    On a positive note, today is my dads 93rd birthday. You can look at that as 93 years or 33,945 days or… I am grateful he’s as healthy as he is. I’m not able to be with him but sent him a text message with a virtual cake. My sister and brother-in-law are taking him a real cake so all is good! Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you! ❤

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  Canada Goose,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    Happy New Year!

    January 1, 2022
    Sunrise at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

    Neil Gaiman

    Hoping you surprise yourself in 2022!

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  storm clouds

    The Beauty

    December 22, 2021
    Riverbend Ponds about 3 weeks ago

    All that we are looking for in life—all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind—is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.

    Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

    One of the first things I do when I awake is pray three simple little prayers, if you even want to call them prayers. It sets the tone for my day. Then throughout the day I find times to pause and notice the world around me, the clouds, the changing colors, the beauty of it all! Maybe that pause and awareness is as much a prayer as anything.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  quotes

    A Lover of Nature

    December 18, 2021

    The Native Americans, whose wisdom Thoreau admired, regarded the Earth itself as a sacred source of energy. To stretch out on it brought repose, to sit on the ground ensured greater wisdom in councils, to walk in contact with its gravity gave strength and endurance. The Earth was an inexhaustible well of strength: because it was the original Mother, the feeder, but also because it enclosed in its bosom all the dead ancestors. It was the element in which transmission took place. Thus, instead of stretching their hands skyward to implore the mercy of celestial divinities, American Indians preferred to walk barefoot on the Earth: The Lakota was a true Naturist – a lover of Nature. 

    Frédéric Gros

    As winter approaches and the temperatures become colder, I spend less time in nature. It seems now that on dark predawn mornings warm blankets are a womb I reluctantly want to leave. Maybe it’s old age. Maybe it’s poor circulation. Maybe it’s attitude. Sometimes I tell myself it’s time for someone else to brave a cold morning with camera and tripod in nature. But, I know that my spiritual life includes time in nature so I will still brave those cold mornings and evenings for those divine moments with Mother Earth. I will walk in contact with her and walk in prayer!

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Brené Brown,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  storm clouds

    Belonging

    November 3, 2021
    Clouds over Beaver Pond

    “True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”

    Brené Brown

    A friend shared with me yesterday how they have reached a place of true belonging to themselves and have moved away from a place of needing to fit in. Now that is powerful!

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