• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    Peace Within

    September 16, 2021

    “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    This is the time of the year when mornings begin to get cooler and afternoons stay hot. We call it fall. Met with a friend this morning at Pineridge Natural Area to watch the sunrise and sip on our chai lattes. We wore jackets. Made a crockpot of vegetable soup this morning before I left the condo and shared that with another friend at noon. When it reached 92 I decide it was time to visit Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Without a jacket. As I took it all in, nature provided a nice wind to bring relief from the heat and provided some soothing sounds and sights for me to enjoy. A blue jay squawks from the cottonwoods behind me. A starburst shoots through the trees. I’m noticing leaves beginning to change colors. A hawk circles above. Clouds lazily drift overhead. Soon the sun dropped behind the mountains and I felt the coolness of the air. As this busy day comes to a close I reflect on both the good choices and poor choices I made today. And, I smile because there is a peace within. ❤️

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  • natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Topsy-turvy

    August 31, 2021

    My time in Phoenix with my mother and then the 8 hour drive to Texas and back, was far more sedentary than I realized. I did not get in the steps like I needed so need to get back into a routine again. I’m sure more walking will increase also with the coming of cooler fall temperatures.

    After a burst of lightning in Colorado over the past 48 hours aircraft from Colorado Fire Prevention and Control have spotted 37 small fires. We only have a couple that are of concern but the smoke is having a negative impact on our air quality. We will be dry and warm today with moisture arriving on Wednesday.

    I received word yesterday afternoon that my dad and brother-in-law have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are tired and have little energy. My sister Marcee tested negative and my sister Sheree will test today. I’m scheduled for testing Thursday morning. Life is topsy-turvy right now. 😍

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Opportunity

    August 23, 2021

    Joe had a post last week where he talks about accepting the gift of images rather than taking them or capturing them. I believe that’s true and evident in my photography. And then this morning I was reflecting on how I call myself a photographer as if it’s something I became through self will, practice, training, study, vision. While all of those are needed, maybe I need to see it as another gift where “I’m being given the opportunity to be a photographer.” 😍

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  • grass,  John O'Donohue,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Sunlit Grass

    July 22, 2021
    Another image from that older Fujifilm X-T10 camera

    “No one else has access to the world you carry around within yourself; you are its custodian and entrance. No one else can see the world the way you see it. No one else can feel your life the way you feel it. Thus it is impossible to ever compare two people because each stands on such different ground. When you compare yourself to others, you are inviting envy into your consciousness; it can be a dangerous and destructive guest.”

    John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
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  • Camera Equipment,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  Plants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    Laughing at Myself

    July 21, 2021
    Fujifilm X-T10 and XF 18-55mm f2.8-4.0

    I decided to go on a walk to reservoir Ridge Natural Area with my older Fujifilm kit, taking the X-T10 and the XF 18-55mm f2.8-4.0. I needed to get in my steps and wanted to enjoy the beautiful evening. I chose the lighter kit because I wanted to carry less. I was surprised at the experience I had using my older camera. Embarrassingly, I’d forgotten how to use it and at times I was quite awkward, clumsy and confused. Found myself talking to myself, saying things like: Now why is it doing that? That’s not what I wanted. Dammit! Okay what did I do now? Sh*t! Spent way too much time fiddling with and talking to the camera. But so enjoyed laughing at and with myself. 😳

    Anyway, I became aware of just how much progress had been made with the technology in the three and a half years from the introduction of the X-T10 to the X-T3. I quickly noticed how much slower the X-T10 turn-on time was. Then I noticed how much improvement there was in the focusing ability. The X-T10 was way behind in that area. Another surprise was the weight difference. For me the six ounce difference and overall physical size were much more comfortable using the X-T3. That, or maybe I’ve just gotten used to it. Anyway the X-T10 still does a good job taking images as long as the photographer does their part. Well, it will remain my backup and I got my steps in while laughing at myself.

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  • Avian,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Afternoon Walk

    July 18, 2021

    I had a quiet walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area yesterday evening. It was a hot and muggy day so I was sweaty by the time I returned to the car. May have to take my monthly shower a week earlier than scheduled.

    It was also very quiet. In the hour I was there I only heard one meadowlark, far off in the pasture, a half dozen red-winged blackbirds chattering in a tree and this mourning dove, who was mourning.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  storm clouds

    Ever-so-silent

    July 4, 2021
    Storm clouds in the south

    I enjoy the walking trail at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area because it is reasonably flat, has wide open vistas, lots of songbirds and healing silence. When I get to my rock-bench I usually find the silence I’m seeking. And, the silence I’m seeking is absence of manmade noise. I can sit there for 15 minutes with only the sounds of nature reaching my ears, which is music to my soul. Last Friday evening was one of those ever-so-silent times. Loved it. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.

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  • animals,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Not Many Listen

    July 3, 2021

    “Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”

    A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

    A while back I had a cottontail approach me and instead of saying my normal welcome such as “hello” I kept silent. We just watched one another, remaining present to each other and the moment. This was unusual behavior as they do not stay still very long. I wonder, was it due to the fact I did not talk but kept quiet. Anyway, I’ll continue to practice remaining quiet, listening and see what happens. Pooh may be on to something here.

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