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

    Art for Today

    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.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  quotes

    What’s Left Behind

    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.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  trees

    Always Changing

    Arapahoe Bend Nature Area

    I love how clouds are always changing their shape and color. I still will lay down on the ground and watch them as theymake their art.

    Something is wrong with my theme so that when you click on the image it gives you another page with a smaller image for comments. So, if anyone is inclined to leave a comment you will need to click on the title of this post.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  Canada Goose,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Two Geese and a Sunrise …

    Just Before Sunrise

    … makes for the start of a good day. Even with a head cold and hacking cough I rose early yesterday and headed out to the Arapahoe Bend Nature area to greet the morning sun. I find the quiet and beauty in nature to be a healer for what ails me. I was still coughing and hacking when I got back to my condo but sure felt better.

    When asking yesterday what light people enjoyed, Paul mentioned morning and evening light. I agree and when you look back over my archives there are plenty of sunrise and sunsets shots to choose from. Being a morning person and enjoying time in nature also draws me to this time of the day. Many people are just getting up or on their way to the cubicle so not many people or traffic to deal with either. I setup my camera and tripod then took a sip of my hot chocolate when these two Canada Geese make their way into my scene. I smiled, took the images I wanted and thanked them. (Yes, I talk to birds.)

    So, the snow started yesterday and as of this morning we have about 4 inches. Have a Super Saturday!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Self-portraits,  sunsets

    A Time for Contemplation

    Taking in the Sunset

    It is light that reveals, light that obscures, light that communicates. It is light I “listen” to. The light late in the day has a distinct quality, as it fades toward the darkness of evening. After sunset there is a gentle leaving of the light, the air begins to still, and a quiet descends. I see magic in the quiet light of dusk. I feel quite, yet intense energy in the natural elements of our habitat. A sense of magic prevails. A sense of mystery. It is a time for contemplation, for listening – a time for making photographs. 

    John Sexton

    Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!