• Avian,  Canada Goose

    Everywhere!

    Canada geese usually molt, or shed their flight feathers, from late June to early July, as a part of their preparation for migration. During molting, adult geese are unable to fly for 20–40 days while their new feathers grow in. This keeps them on the ground, which can lead to increased sightings of geese and their young walking across roads. It’s not unusual to see traffic stopped in the road, some drivers honking, while the geese meander across the road. Those drivers are not aware that their honking only disturbs me 🤨 and not the geese.

    The geese that didn’t breed during the season typically molt first, followed by adults with young right before their babies get their first flight feathers. Growing these new feathers is very energy intensive, so geese are hungrier than usual during this time. This means there’s gonna be more poop, everywhere! We call our daily walks at this time of season, the Goose Poop Boogie. So for the past several weeks, I’ve seen several groups of 15 to 30 geese, laying on the ground (as in the above image), eating and pooping at the same time. It does make for some easy photographs but ya gotta watch where your step’n. Happy July 1st!!

  • Avian,  nature,  quotes

    Reservoir of Life

    As long as Earth remains an “it,” a “thing,” rather than a living vibrant reservoir of life, humans will continue to use and abuse her. We need a loving relationship with this generous, vulnerable planet in which we live. Only then will we allow her songs of rich abundance to dance in the rhythms of our lives, only then will we respond with reverent care and live with daily gratitude.

    Joyce Rupp
  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  quotes

    That’s Kinda Kool!

    One among the stars

    Recognize that the very molecules that make up your body, the atoms that construct the molecules, are traceable to the crucibles that were once the centers of high mass stars that exploded their chemically rich guts into the galaxy, enriching pristine gas clouds with the chemistry of life. So that we are all connected to each other biologically, to the earth chemically and to the rest of the universe atomically. That’s kinda cool! That makes me smile and I actually feel quite large at the end of that. It’s not that we are better than the universe, we are part of the universe. We are in the universe and the universe is in us.

    Neil deGrasse Tyson

    This image was taken today about midmorning. The sun and wind were creating stars on the waters surface, so the photographer in me reached for my camera. Then, without an invitation, the geese decided to get into the frame, adding an unexpected impact to the scene. I find both the image and the quote reminding me that we are a part in the universe – we are one among the stars. I also find that’s kinda kool!

  • Canada Goose,  gratitude,  Humor,  winter scenes

    Sleeping-in

    At 6:37 am my weather app said it was 0°, wind was out of the north at 11 mph, humidity was at 83%, wind chill at −17° and light snow was falling. Later at 7:13 am I was enjoying a mocha latte at Mugs and had to snicker at the insane individuals who would be out in this weather, unless they were my barista or the city snowplow driver. Told my baristas, Emma and Jess, that I needed to have a conversation with McCabe and Marlie (the owners) about paying them double-time for working on days like this. They thought it was a great idea! When I got home I noticed the geese were sleeping in late so I quietly took three images. They looked so comfortable I didn’t want to wake them. Now at my computer, slippers on, furnace running, sipping on a hot chai tea and have a grateful heart! ❤️ Going to be a day for reading and writing. Looks like most of the country is cold today so stay warm!!!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  reflections,  sunrises

    Flyover at Predawn

    I awoke early again. A trip to the bathroom, prayer and meditation time, a bowl of cereal, made a chai latte then headed for Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Yes, as some of you know I do have my routines. I am also blessed to have all these natural areas close to me. Arapaho Bend is about the farthest away at 8.5 miles. Takes about 16 minutes to drive there. This morning I discovered this slightly different perspective so you may see more images from this location. As I stood there soaking it all in a flock of about 21 geese flew over me from the west (I counted them). So, I waited until they were in the viewfinder before taking several images. Interesting how they noisily honked to let me know they were coming in over me. To me they add to the scene. Expecting another warm day here in Colorado. Hoping you have a great day!

  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  haiku,  quotes,  writing/reading

    haiku moment…

    I didn’t know it, but I was having a ‘haiku moment’- a moment when the mind stops and the heart moves.

    Margaret McGee, Haiku – The Sacred Art

    I’ve been noticing a large amount of goose feathers in one area of the grass near the ponds. My first thought was a major conflict over stomping grounds but this morning there must have been 20 geese in that area. This suggested the large amount of feathers was due to the greater number of geese. Actually, it could be both. There were no signs of conflict this morning. All of them resting, sleeping in a calm and seemingly peaceful place. I just stood there for a moment feeling the calm, then picked up my camera and took the image offered. I’ll call it a haiku moment. It is cloudy and cool but no rain forecasted. Will meet my oldest daughter for lunch today. Hope you have a great day.

    always alert while
    seemingly peaceful and calm
    a haiku moment

    ms
  • Avian

    Enjoy your Saturday

    Western Kingbird

    Just as I was about to get into my car at about 4:50 am I noticed a raccoon across the parking lot making their way towards Julie’s condo. She has one of those large planters just outside her bedroom window that now has a Canada Goose nesting there with about 5-6 eggs. I watched as the goose stood her ground with her eyes focused on them. Luckily there was no conflict as the racoon moved on to find easier pickings.

    I then drove out to the open space at the intersection of William Neal Parkway and County Road 9 and setup my tripod for pre-dawn and sunrise photos. A good way to start may day. Lots of activity already going on there. Great Blue Herons wading the edges of the pond, geese and ducks floating above, meadowlarks singing, and barn swallows darting everywhere. I stayed for about 45 minutes and spent way too much time swatting the mosquitoes the barn swallows were missing. I really do like this area and the sunrise view it offers. I’ll post more images from this location later. I decided not to post another pre-dawn or sunrise image but instead posting this Western Kingbird taken this past Thursday afternoon. Rain expected later today. Enjoy your weekend!