My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
These two images were taken about 12 hours apart and at nearly the same location on the same day. This is how my day started and ended and was full of wonderful moments in between. So much beauty in this world when we live each moment, one moment at a time. Happy Sunday!
Awoke early so I headed to Pineridge Natural Area, a favorite place to start the day. Music all around me from the chorus of my favorite birds. A cool breeze penetrating my fleece was helping wake me up. I would be ready for my latte later. A couple mule deer greeted me with a quizzical look as I arrived earlier than usual. I have an open calendar today. No hot dates, dang it. Probably a good thing because tomorrow will be a full day. So, I’ve had an early start for this day. Happy Friday to you and have a wonderful weekend.
The new day’s light
ms
veiled behind gray clouds.
A crisp morning air caressing my soul
as I listen to nature’s silence.
A meadowlark perches on a rabbit brush,
near the water’s edge, near its nest.
Six pelicans take to the air
circling the reservoir then fly north.
A cottontail ventures from safety
to nibble on blades of grass.
Nature is comfortable with silence,
much more than man.
How easily I forget
to listen to nature’s silence.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Awake at 3:00 am and couldn’t go back to sleep. Up at 4:13 am. Made a chai latte then found myself parked at Pineridge Natural Area at 5:16 am listening to the birds sing. There is something magical that happens around and within me when I listen to their songs in the predawn darkness. There were a dozen pelicans cruising the reservoir. While near by two Great Blue Herons waded along the shore. Must have been a good morning to fish. I am lucky, blessed to have these natural areas near me to enjoy.
I heard it rain during the night but it had stopped by the time I got up. I knew I was taking a chance for a break in the clouds but I felt the desire to be there rather than my condo. We who obsess with photography chase those moments of light no matter how fleeting they are. It is raining again as I get ready to post this and the sky looks nothing like this image now. Luckily I can take a nap today.
In the Western tradition there is a recognized hierarchy of beings, with, of course, the human being on top—the pinnacle of evolution, the darling of Creation—and the plants at the bottom. But in Native ways of knowing, human people are often referred to as “the younger brothers of Creation.” We say that humans have the least experience with how to live and thus the most to learn—we must look to our teachers among the other species for guidance. Their wisdom is apparent in the way that they live. They teach us by example. They’ve been on the earth far longer than we have been, and have had time to figure things out.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
What a beautiful morning we have here in Colorado. Blue skies and sunshine. I have not read her book but think it’s one I do want to absorb some of her words and spirit. I also noticed Krista Tippett has a podcast with her that I want to listen to. Hope everyone has a wonderful day, enjoy it!
Communing with God is communing with our own hearts, our own best selves, not with something foreign and accidental. Saints and devotees have gone into the wilderness to find God; of course they took God with them, and the silence and detachment enabled them to hear the still, small voice of their own souls, as one hears the ticking of his own watch in the stillness of the night.
John Burroughs
Good morning from Pineridge Natural Area. Clear skies and sunshine to start the day. Meadowlarks were sharing songs of joy with all the world. In fact birds were singing all around me. Over time I will come know them but for now I’ll just enjoy their music. This image shows how the rains from last week sure gave the meadow a touch of green.
When I leave the natural area I need to turn north on Overland trail and drive by an open field that is a Frisbee golf course. About a half mile after I’d turned I noticed this eagle sitting in the open field. I stopped and watched for several minutes with binoculars. The bird seemed rather nervous so I kept my distance. I finally decided to see if it would stay long enough for me to get my camera out and put on the longer zoom lens. I was able to take about 20 images then put my camera gear away because I did not want to disturb the bird anymore than I already had. I then watched them for another couple minutes with binoculars before it lifted off. I was shocked to see in its talons a large fish. Now, that would have been the shot but alas… This is about a 100% crop so it’s not all that sharp.