My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
No clouds this morning but plenty of haze from the smog and smoke drifting from the west coast. Unable to smell them but sure can see their effects. Interesting how the camera sensor does not record the red/orange sun in the sky the same as the reflection in Dixon Reservoir. Hope you had a good weekend and a great week ahead.
Started reading the book Nomadland by Jessica Bruder and finding it interesting. At times it’s sad, at times disturbing, at other times informative and other times funny.
smoky haze on horizon
the sky an orange glow
return each morning
to witness the suns rise
birds sing morning greeting
now no longer just a visitor
it’s nature’s invitation
to breathe deeply, exhale
receive this blessing with
heart full of gratitudemornings spiritual practice
ms
cloudless horizon
ms
chorus of song birds rising
in meadow of gold
Sadly this image shows the smoky haze sitting along the Colorado Front Range from all the fires burning in the southwest. The haze hovers just above the horizon combined with a mix of emission pollution. There are currently, 47 large fires that have burned 519,761 acres across the country, per the National Interagency Fire Center website. The haze gives everything a golden glow to it. Today is expected to be in the 90’s. Be safe, stay cool!
I was never content to stand apart from the landscape, looking in, being a transient visitor—a tourist, an outsider—showing up to harvest an image or practice some form of recreation before moving on. When in a place that interests me I am not content just seeing it; I want to be a part of it, to immerse myself in it, to know it, to become comfortable in it. Certainly I might accomplish these things in a great variety of places, but they take time to evolve. And my time, alas, is limited. I have made my choice, and there is no doubt in my mind that I chose well. It’s not about the landscape; it’s about this landscape.
Guy Tal
I’m aware I lean towards Guy’s idea of immersing myself into the landscape and desiring to experience it. I confess that for many years my interest in landscape photography has been in harvesting the image. I would then share it for the likes and the oohs and aahs I imagined everyone is making.
I’m also aware that to know and be comfortable with the landscape requires me to be there on a regular basis. I think you will agree immersion in the landscape can’t happen from our recliner or desk or someone else’s images. It may mean we must sit in the cold, rain, snow, heat, or swat at the tiniest bugs when we would rather sleep in late. Or relax at some coffee shop with a mocha. We can only fully experience this landscape when we are there and present to it. So, I will continue my mornings within the landscape. And, yes, time is limited.
Awoke just before 4:00 am yesterday morning. Couldn’t sleep so I got up about 4:10 am and was in the parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area about 4:55 am. That’s too dang early! I decided to head out hoping to get an image of the lunar eclipse. Cloudy skies took care of any eclipse shots. I did check it out through binoculars. However, nature did provide some very nice colors in the pre dawn skies and a wonderful concert of bird sings.
I just missed the red and pink of the sunrise because my warm bed held me hostage a few minutes longer than I wanted. Anyway, one thing I like about watching sunrises or sunsets is experiencing them with all my senses. I prefer to get out of my car, feel the cold wind (sometimes) and listen to the silence or the song birds or both. For this short period of time I’m trying to eliminate all man made noise. That is the connection I want with nature. Oh, I can sit in my car and watch the sunrise with the car running but it ain’t the same.
I was up at 5:00 am. I pulled into the parking lot early, just after 6:00 am. I followed a car that drove to the lower parking area while I found a space in the upper parking lot. We were the only ones there. In my mind I quickly played out a scenario of the car in front of me to be an early morning fisherman, cyclist or runner. However, a few minutes later I realized it was a woman who must have needed time alone with nature. She walked to the edge of the reservoir and stood there for several minutes, motionless. Eventually she moved on. I’ve kept the image dark to give it a feel of mystery that goes along with the mystery of why she was there.
I am going to a friends for breakfast and wholesome conversation in a few minutes. Happy Easter to those who celebrate and enjoy searching for Easter eggs! Oh, and be sure to eat some chocolate! 🍫