• clouds,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    An Intense Sky

    November 6, 2023
    Intense sky over Dixon Reservoir

    I awoke early this morning because it usually takes me a day or two to adjust to the time change. It was a cool 36 degrees as I drove to Pineridge Natural Area. The skies have been intense the past 3-4 days for both sunrises and sunsets. As I stepped out of the car, I could feel the light but cold breeze coming out of the west. You can see the unsettled water as the wind moves across the surface of Dixon Reservoir. And I love the red reflection on the waters surface. When I left my condo I grabbed my gloves but they do not help much when they are left in the car. So, by the time I got back my hands were cold. Note to self. Now filled with gratitude I headed for the Bean Cycle and a mocha. My hands feel normal again. I have a Zoom meeting at 9:30 am today and a second one at 5:30 pm. No, I’m not that important. Sounds like we could be turning cold by the end of the week. May you have a super Awesome day!

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  • landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    O’Dark Thirty

    November 1, 2023
    Predawn colors and reflection at Dixon Reservoir

    What a wonderful way to start this day, any day for that matter. This image as taken at O’Dark thirty (6:49 am) and the show was absolutely gorgeous. Almost no wind and a pleasant 28 degrees. After experiencing a sunrise like this and I head back into the chaos of the city, I can feel as if I needed to stay longer. I’m not sure whether the feeling arises from within me or if nature itself is whispering, please don’t leave yet. Maybe both. I believe these moments have a way of transforming me at some deep level. I am just never the same man. This morning was one of those mornings. Curious if any of you experience such feelings after time with nature, not wanting to leave? Anyway, I am so thankful for all the gifts so graciously given and my desire to receive each one of them. I met Mark for breakfast and conversation where we talked and wept over the tragedies happening in our world, a list that seems would have no end.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    A Better Start

    October 3, 2023

    “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

    George Bernard Shaw

    Well today is starting out much better, no flat tire to change. Arrived early at Pineridge Natural Area. Looks like that same heron fishing along the water’s edge and in the same spot. The light wind stirred the water’s surface with tiny ripples. A flock of magpies were making quite the fuss in a group of trees. Took 7 photos before heading to Mugs where Jess made me an Old Town Mocha. There was no interest in watching the sunrise for me. Met up with my friend Duane today. He and Jan are in town for a few days before heading south of Tucson for the winter. Hope you had a great day and be sure to do something!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Website Issues

    September 30, 2023
    Predawn colors at Pineridge Natural Area

    I have been struggling with my website off and on for three weeks. It finally came to a halt on Wednesday when all I could do was go to the homepage and my dashboard. All other links seemed to be broken. I have already had two people contact me through email asking if there was anything wrong. I’ve had four chat sessions with Bluehost and no resolution. This morning in my fifth chat session they finally seem to have solved the error. Seems the permalinks were messed up. I just never go to that place on my dashboard so I have no idea how it was changed or if it became confused. All I know is I’m confused with this stuff but it is back up and seems to be working.

    In the meantime I’ve have been playing with Squarespace for three days with their 14 day unlimited free trials. The cost is about the same. I will continue to look into it and play with it. I know Joe uses Squarespace and seems satisfied. Like him I only want to post blogs, show my images, and stay connected with fellow bloggers. I am not selling anything so none of that interests me. Who knows I may be on a new platform next week.

    I also had my cars hood insulation repaired on the 21st when the raccoons tore it up last April. Well they did it again four days after I had it replaced, for the third time now in four years. However I did make it up to Pineridge NA yesterday morning for the predawn colors and quiet. The water was smooth as glass. A couple of ducks floated along and one blue heron stood fishing along the waters edge. It was a good way to end the week on a Friday. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    …honor the world

    September 18, 2023

    Photography by nature is spiritual considering, it comes from the darkness to show the light.

    Kevin Russo

    I was told the other day by someone that they no longer look my sunrise images. However, I’ve come to know that the beginning of a new day offers a unique sunrise, there is no other like it, and if I’m present to it then it’s another opportunity to live one more day. So for me a sunrise is a sacred moment, where we move from darkness to light. In a Mary Oliver poem called The Swan she writes, Of course the path to heaven doesn’t lie in flat miles. It’s in the imagination with which you perceive this world, and the gestures with which you honor it. My presence and the photographs I capture is my act of receiving this morning’s predawn sky and is my gesture to honor the world. I will probably keep doing that to my last breath.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    I was not disappointed

    September 14, 2023

    When I started my adventure in photography, I was suddenly introduced to the world around me. I can’t believe I have been so blind for too many years.

    Laura Tate Sutton

    I so relate to her quote. Anyway, the weather forecast is for rain beginning mid morning and continuing through the day. So with that forecast in mind I rose early and headed to Pineridge Natural Area. I sat on that same rock, the hard one, hoping nature would offer bright colors among clouds. I was not disappointed. I think of that old adage, Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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