• Barry López,  landscape,  Plants,  Poudre River,  seasons,  trees,  winter scenes

    Nature’s Teaching

    January 27, 2022

    “Over the years, one comes to measure a place, too, not just for the beauty it may give, the balminess of its breezes, the insouciance and relaxation it encourages, the sublime pleasures it offers, but for what it teaches. The way in which it alters our perception of the human. It is not so much that you want to return to indifferent or difficult places, but that you want to not forget.”

    Barry Lopez, About This Life

    This an image of the Poudre River taken north of town near Watson Lake State Wildlife Area. I’ve lived in the Fort Collins area for about 25 years now and yesterday was my first trip to this beautiful area. I was impressed with it and will look for other photo opportunities to share with you. I agree with Barry Lopez that time in nature alters our perception in a positive way. Conversely our lack of time in nature and indifference with nature also alters our perception in a negative way. I firmly believe it is the biggest reason our world is in the mess it is in. We need Nature’s teaching!

    Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and today is overcast and snow began falling about 7:00 am. If you look closely you will see a group of 6 deer just to the right of the bridge. Have a great day!

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  • 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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  • fog,  landscape,  Plants,  poems,  poetry,  trees,  writing/reading

    Gift of Forgiveness…

    January 20, 2022

    in the silence of a foggy morning
    I listen to my heart as it cries for
    the brokenness of our world and
    offer a prayer as tears flow from my soul

    may we awake to the nurturing embrace of love
    may we awake to the healing touch of compassion
    may we awake to the needs of the oppressed
    may we awake to the gift of forgiveness

    ms

    It is a cold morning here in Colorado. A heavy ice storm yesterday morning followed by a light snow all day and cold temperatures has made it poor traveling. I received a notification yesterday that the city of Fort Collins was on an accident alert and the bus system was on a delayed and shortened schedule. Expecting some sunshine this afternoon and will clean off the snow and 1/10th of an inch of ice from my car. I have not been outside my condo for over 48 hours. Feels strange.

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

    It’s a way of life…

    January 6, 2022

    Inner peace is more
    than a state of mind!
    It is a way of life.

    Native American

    It’s Wednesday evening. I am scheduling this post for just after midnight. It has been snowing all afternoon, a nice silent snowfall that makes it all seem even quieter. I plan on sleeping in late. Have no desire to get up early and drive somewhere so looked in the archives for this image taken last year. If it’s cheating then I’m guilty. At my age I can break the rules.

    Had a doctors appointment yesterday because of increased back pain and some loss of feeling in my buttocks. My scoliosis I’ve had for decades is degenerating. X-rays showed bone spurs and the disks are in very poor shape. We will try some anti-inflammatory medicine first and continue my stretching and strengthening exercises. If these do not help then maybe an injection in his office. I’ve lived with it for many years and probably live with it until I die. Could be one of the driving factors where I look for inner peace as a way of life.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  seasons,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Let it snow….

    January 2, 2022

    We had our first measurable snowfall this winter on New Years Eve. Fort Collins had received 0.7 inches of snow so far this season, compared with a normal of 12.4 inches by this time of year. So the snow was welcome. Only downside is cold always comes along with snow. Snowpack in the mountains is well below normal. It has been so dry and the primary reason for the tragic Marshal Fire a few of days ago.

    Fort Collins: 6 to 8.1 inches
    Loveland: 4.3 to 9.9 inches

    Sun came out yesterday afternoon so I drove to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to find this image of blue sky against snow covered cottonwoods. It was -7 degrees this morning at 6:15 am. Sun is out and we’re at 21 degrees now. Guess I can take a couple pairs of the socks off.

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  • horizons,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  trees,  winter scenes

    Where’s the snow?

    December 28, 2021
    December snow 10 years ago

    It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.

    Rachel Carson

    Almost the end of December and we have not yet had measurable snow in Fort Collins. Thankfully the high country have received snow but it has skipped us. Where’s the snow?

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