• Avian,  Canada Goose,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    First Day of Spring

    Today is the first day of Spring. To celebrate and because I woke up early, I made a french press of coffee and headed to Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I setup my gear along the banks of Beaver Pond looking east. Behind me in the west was the setting Supermoon. The night ends and the new day begins. Spring! Beautiful!

    Canada Geese were out for their morning swim, searching for a bite to eat and noisily enjoying the spring morning. For me it was an almost perfect way to start the day and the beginning of Spring.

    After feeling I had all I wanted in images I loaded my gear back in the car to head home. As I started to put the key in the ignition I noticed a man on a paddle board of some kind and quickly jumped out of the car and took this last image. I thought it an appropriate photo to end my morning on the banks of Beaver Pond in the Arapaho Bend Natural Area.

  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  Documentary/Street

    Tracks in the Snow

    With restrictions on not driving I’ve had to ask for rides or use the bus system to get to doctor appointments and my coffee shops. A couple days ago I found the bus stop surrounded by geese and the mess they so freely make. They also make some pretty Kool tracks in the snow. Enjoy your weekend!

  • Art,  Avian,  Canada Goose

    Absence

    Canada Goose Feathers
    Canada Goose Feathers

    I have been absent from the internet for over a week as I finish working on some health issues. I’ve struggled with BPH for 20 years and things are now coming to a head. Spent an evening in ER last weekend and am now walking around with a catheter until RALSP surgery which I will have in two weeks from today. Hopefully this will improve the quality of my life.

    Same feathers the next morning
    Same feathers the next morning

    Life is always changing and I think these two images present nature creating new art each second. It never ends!

  • Avian,  Canada Goose

    An Intercalary Year

    Canada Geese Lifting Off
    Canada Geese Lifting Off

    Some days it seems like there are moments when things are not in focus and life is moving way too fast. These past two days have had those moments. I attribute some of it to restlessness, unnecessary worry, imaginary fears, apprehension, that relentless voice of self-doubt. Those moments can sneak up on me when I do not take time for quiet, meditation, exercise, good eating habits, good rest, time in nature and  community, all of which have become essential in my life. When I include these practices in my day I am better prepared for the days unexpected moments.

    A good example of this is the above image. I did not plan this shot because as a photographer I just was not prepared. 🙂 Happy Leap Day!

  • Avian,  Canada Goose

    Stay Warm

    Canada Geese
    Canada Geese

    Well it’s still cold this morning and light snow is falling. They keep predicting it will warm up tomorrow. We’ll see. If it gets up to above freezing I’m pretty sure I will see a few people back in shorts. Anyway, here are a couple of facts you may not know about Canada Geese.

    In spring and summer, geese concentrate their feeding on grasses and sedges, including skunk cabbage leaves and eelgrass. During fall and winter, they rely more on berries and seeds, including agricultural grains, and seem especially fond of blueberries. They’re very efficient at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. Two subspecies have adapted to urban environments and graze on domesticated grasses year round.

    Their feet also keep them warm in the winter. The feet keep the entire goose’s body warm while in the water or tucked up into its feathers. To stay warm, geese will tuck their feet under the down while lying on a frozen pond or snow.  That doesn’t work for me. My feet are the first thing to get cold. Stay warm!

  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  quotes

    Staying Warm

    How do they do it?
    How do they do it?

    “Ideas are the most fragile things in the world. If you don’t write them down, they will be lost forever.”

    It’s snowing again and predicted to lightly snow all day. We have maybe 2 inches with another inch or two as our total. Always amazed me the geese can do this and who’s idea was it? Stay warm, just as the geese do!