dreamlike blue sky
mws
cottonwoods in fall colors
gift of a starburst
My Ride Home
-
-
Look with open eyes
“Zen is less the study of doctrine than a set of tools for discovering what can be known when the world is looked at with open eyes.”
Jane Hirshfield, The Heart of HaikuI was surprised to see the dusting of snow and fog this morning. So I took the long-cut to the coffee shop via Stuart Street to visit the cottonwood tree at the Fisher Nature Area Trail. If you look closely you will see a red tailed hawk in the top of the cottonwood. Fog has burned off as blue sky and sunshine make their appearance. Have a wonderful Saturday and look with open eyes!
-
Does that make sense?
“I began to trust the questions themselves to lead me beyond answers to understanding, beyond practice to faith”
Joan ChittisterThere was a time in my life when I felt lost, confused…looking for answers. I had no desire to get up in the morning and face another day. Thankfully I’ve moved on from that place and time. I’ve discovered the answers are not as important to me anymore, but the questions are. I continue to search out more questions which leads me to some understanding which leads to more questions. I began to trust in just asking the questions. I lost interest in the answers and embraced the understanding needed to ask the next question. Does that make sense?
- gratitude, landscape, natural areas, Plants, poems, Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, shadows, sunsets, trees
Last Chorus
Horses graze as the sun sets behind old Cottonwood trees along Overland Trail I watch the sun set behind cottonwood trees while
ms
the blue sky opens to the coming darkness of night.
The long shadows of the sun stretch over the pasture
as my feathered friends sing their last chorus of the day.
I’m filled with gratitude as this day comes to an end
full of hope for the new day tomorrow. - grass, landscape, natural areas, Pineridge Natural Area, Plants, Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, snow, trees
Mornings Snowfall
Snow began falling yesterday morning with those big beautiful fluffy snowflakes. The powdery stuff you blow off the car. For some insane reason I decided to hang out in the cold along the foothills between Pineridge Natural Area and Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. First stop was Pineridge Natural Area. Didn’t feel like sitting on the bench but what a view!!
This is a group of trees just below Pineridge Natural Area. Horsetooth Reservoir and dam are just hidden behind the trees. So often images just do not convey the feeling we are experiencing before us. But, I’ll keep trying.
This is from the parking lot of Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I was facing a cold 8 mph wind about this time and the snow began picking up. I also slid through a red light on my way to this area. So glad no one was going through the green light. So, after taking this image I headed to the safety and warmth of home.
-
Cottonwoods
Cottonwood trees at Arapaho Bend Natural Area Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.
Imogen CunninghamIf 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.
-
Morning’s Colors
“The art of life is to live in the present moment and to make that moment as perfect as we can by the realization that we are the instruments and expression of God himself.”
Emmet Fox -
Cloudless Sunset
old cottonwoods
ms
stand over field of green hay
cloudless sunset -
brush strokes of frost
Cottonwood leaves covered in frost – Arapaho Bend Natural Area in 2014 Wintery morning stroll in a world turned white
mws
I love nature’s work of art created in the cold of night
So grateful for these lovely brush strokes of frostI did not pick up my camera all day. A bit unusual for me. The sun has just set. I feel the need to write a post. So, I sit at my desk. The cold air gathers around my feet as I ask for words to write. I sort through them in the quiet. The furnace turns on. I no longer sit in silence. I stay in my chair awaiting for more words and they are given. This post is simple, nothing eloquent. It’s what I do and my way to reach out to a virtual world of friends. I’ll end with a prayer that you feel the love within you and sleep well.
-
Being
Cottonwood trees along Overland Trail Road with layer of smoke across the nature area “To be nobody-but-yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight.” E. E. Cummings
I took this image about three days ago just before the cold front moved in and the Cameron Peak Fire began raging. Even though the smoke is not conducive to walking I still drive to the natural areas for the serenity and closeness to the natural world. Sometimes I will sit in my car to journal or read, yet staying aware of all that’s around me. Sunshine this morning but smoke sitting atop of the mountains. The fires still burn.
