• Avian,  Family,  flowers,  leaves,  Plants,  Travel,  trees

    The Seattle Trip

    July 13, 2020
    View of Lake Washington from the deck of the VRBO
    Marcee and John going down The Hill
    We just don’t have ferns like this in Colorado
    Have no idea what these flowers are and can’t seem to find anything on them
    Fire pit on the patio because it did get cool at night
    These were in the garden at the apartment
    A Bald Eagle perched above us on one of our walks

    Here’s a little bit about the trip to Seattle. First off, the weather was wonderful, highs reached about 70 degrees and lows at night down to 55 degrees. No rain the whole time we were there. I ate too much.

    The Vacation Rental By Owner apartment Marcee and John were renting was sweet. It sat up on a hill with a great view of Lake Washington. We walked each day on a flat trail around the lake but the walk included climbing up “The Hill” on the way back. I walked about 12,000 steps each day. The Hill was steep and long enough that this older man had to stop and catch his breath three times to get home. You will see in the photo two orange cones marking holes in the road. I used them as rest stops on the way up.

    The walks along the lake were breathtaking for me. The area has such different and diverse plants than we have here in Colorado. The plants and density of them always amaze me. I experienced that when living in Ohio. I was always way behind everyone else because I had to stop so many times. 

    They had a small propane fire pit on the patio which did provide some warmth if the wind was not blowing. I actually thought it would be nice on my patio but  we cannot have grills due to insurance issues.

    I decided to only take the Fujifilm X-T3 and the XF35mm f2.0 lens. I was going for family time and did not want the extra weight and bother. It would also have distracted me from family time. So, this image is a major crop. Still not bad. I began to get more comfortable with the camera, its responsiveness and handling. The 30% increase in size and weight are no longer an issue.

    I really enjoyed the time with Marcee and John and Sheree. I was also able to see a nephew and niece I’d not seen in about 16 years. It was so. good to see them and their families. The trip was worth. Have a few more days of self-quarantine to where I will feel comfortable around others. But, it is good to be home, even though it’s hot.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  prairie

    A Walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    June 8, 2020
    The trail leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    I took a walk at a new natural area called Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. The map at the parking lot told me the loop I took was 2.8 miles. My Fitbit told me 6,551 steps, or 2.9 miles. My research when I got home said there are 9.6 miles of trails within the natural  area. I was blessed with meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, a hummer, swallows and robins offering me music without the need of an ipod. One jogger told he saw a couple of bobolinks.  Impressive fields of prairie grasses like waves across an ocean. I need to research these grasses and other plants I encounter as I have a tendency to look at them and say, “Ah, how pretty,” then move on. The clouds were gorgeous, constantly changing. Shadows falling across the mountains, constantly changing. I was impressed with this natural area and could find it a great place to get in some exercise in nature. There was several large trees throughout the area with one looking like it had a hawks nest with young ones in it. I couldn’t tell for sure without binoculars. I expect you will see more images from this location. 

    Going to meet a friend today for lunch at a local park, if it doesn’t rain. Have a super Awesome Monday!

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  • consumer,  grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  shadows,  trees

    Isolation

    May 13, 2020
    Grove of trees in Red Fox Meadows

    Sure dealing with too much isolation over the past few days. Last week when I paid for my mocha at the Human Bean drive through, I actually touched the hands with the barista. Surprised me because it was probably my first physical touch with another human in 5 weeks. Things are not right.

    Way to much consumer shopping on the internet in an attempt  to fix me, and we know that doesn’t work.

    Snacking too much and looking for someone to blame for buying the snacks. Haven’t found him.

    Been walking everyday which helps me stay out of my head, which is a dangerous neighborhood at times. 

    Looking at upgrading my camera since Fujifilm has some sales going on. That won’t make me a better photographer, either.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  trees

    I’m ready now…

    April 15, 2020
    A favorite cottonwood tree along FIsher Nature area leading to Rowland Moore Park. I often find Red-tailed hawks perched in it.

    I have been pretty good about taking my camera for daily walks during this stay-at-home order. Even got in the walks the past two days when it was snowing and cold, admittedly shorter. And the weather forecasters are telling us more snow, 3-8 inches, by Thursday. Enough already. Bring on spring, rain, thunderstorms, flowers, weeds and sunny walks. I’m ready now!

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