• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  snow,  trees

    And, so I listen

    February 21, 2014
    Arapahoe Bend Nature Area
    Arapahoe Bend Nature Area

    “Nature constantly teaches us that a larger picture exists than what we see. It compels us to awaken by confronting us with order, design, and perfection everywhere.”

    Wayne Teasdale

    I ignore my cold feet and hands as I stand and watch the snowfall. Indiscernible to my eyes, I watch as nature creates a perfect snowflake and then another and then another. Before long it has created millions of snowflakes offering a breathtakingly beautiful wintery scene. A mysterious quiet and stillness surrounds me. Yet, through that quiet, nature teaches and speaks to me of something beyond myself, transcending my understanding. Something inside of me is being awakened, nourished. And, so I listen and watch.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Morning Walk

    December 30, 2013
    Sunrise at Arapahoe Bend Nature Area
    Sunrise at Arapahoe Bend Nature Area

    It was cold this morning on my short walk at the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area. The slight breeze made the 24 degrees seem colder. Needless to say I kept the walk short and stopped at the coffee shop on the way home. If you look closely you will see a young lady just starting a walk with her dog.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Camera Equipment,  leaves,  natural areas,  Nikon P7700,  Plants,  quotes

    Art for Today

    November 5, 2013
    Natures Art for Today
    Natures Art for Today

    “Restore the spark of life by doing work that is deeply rooted in your soul.”

    Thomas Moore

    We are cold and cloudy this morning. It’s one of those days when you want to pull the covers up around your neck and dream a bit more. Once you crawl out of bed it becomes a day for making chili soup, maybe even homemade bread. I start a trip tomorrow so have things to do today before leaving.

    When spending time on a trail in one of our parks or nature areas I like to look for the art nature provides. And, no matter where I look I will find it. I enjoyed this scene because of it’s simple beauty but I know this scene will not be there tomorrow.I must enjoy it while it’s there. The constant work of nature will change it. An hour from now or by tomorrow more leaves will have fallen. The wind will blow away some leaves or move the leaves creating a different pattern. Rain and snow will change the colors and contrast. A squirrel may run along this log and alter the scene. Or maybe man will pick up the leaves and alter the scene. I will return at a later time to see how it has change. But, this was the art for today.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  quotes

    What’s Left Behind

    October 23, 2013
    Small Bass Pond
    Small Bass Pond

    “Parks and gardens are the quintessential intimate landscapes. People use them all the time, leaving their energy and memories behind. It’s what’s left behind that I like to photograph”. 

    Michael Kenna

    While on a walk in the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area I encountered an elderly gentleman on the trail. He had a walking stick in each hand and a small Canon around his neck. As he walked in front of me he would stop every once in a while, look around, taking it all in. He would raise the camera to his eye, frame a shot and press the shutter and methodically move on. No chimping. The walking paths in this area are level and easy to walk so for us elderly folk it is a great place to touch base with nature. I caught up with and enjoyed some time walking and talking with him. We both agreed we enjoy our nature areas. Just a few days before, this scene was covered in snow.

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