We have been blessed with both awesome sunrises and sunsets for over a week now. Morning temperatures were down into the mid-20’s and daytime highs have actually reached 60 degrees. Scattered clouds have been filling our skies which adds to the beauty of these sunrises and sunsets. The above image is from the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area.

I feel fortunate for the natural areas supported by the city of Fort Collins. The city manages 41 sites and over 36,000 acres locally and regionally. A couple of these nature areas are within walking distance of my condo while the farthest is about 25 miles north of the city. I have not spent much time at this farthest and newest nature area which is called the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. It is actually shared with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They have just brought bison into the area. Who needs to travel long distances to experience nature?

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” ― Albert Einstein