• Candid Portraits,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  lake,  landscape,  lifestyles,  natural areas,  reflections,  shadows,  sunrises

    What the heck

    August 20, 2020
    Getting ready for some morning fishing time

    On one of my walks at Dixon Reservoir I noticed this man just getting started with some fishing. The rising sun offered me a wonderful silhouette so I paused, took a deep breath, composed, took five images. Probably three too many but what the heck. For me the mood of this image tells a story about this man’s love for fishing.

    My bicycle ride to and from Mugs coffee shop takes me across the campus of Colorado State University. I was surprised this morning at the number of parents dropping off students at dorms. I’ll guess 90% were wearing masks but I imagine that will change when mom leaves. It also brought more awareness of the vast differences we have in our attitudes towards this pandemic. What the heck, maybe these freshman need to become fishermen, standing six feet a part. Yes, I know, I’m thinking out loud again.

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  • lake,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    A Laid Back Kinda Day

    August 19, 2020
    This morning’s sun reflecting off Dixon Reservoir

    Awoke early, had my quiet time, made a french press then drove up to Pineridge Natural Area. Quiet up there and had the place pretty much to myself. The smoke from Cameron Peak Fire is very noticable in this image, especially in the color. The fire is now over 14,000 acres with over 500 firefighters attempting to control mother nature.

    I had some journaling time at the natural area then did a short walk to get the heart rate up. I meet Joe for coffee this morning then cleaning around the condo. It’s gonna be a laid back kinda day. We need days like this.

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  • landscape,  natural areas

    It’ll be fun…

    July 2, 2020
    My new writing studio at Pineridge Natural Area

    This morning I sat at this picnic table, now calling it my new writing studio, since they are allowing people to use them, again. A meadowlark sat on a nearby bush to sing for me while I journaled. I wonder sometimes if the meadowlarks are playing a game with me, as they sing from different places, begging me to find them, this bush, that fence post.  With no wind the reservoir is smooth as glass. One spot on the water was roiling as fish were feasting on the surface. While at the south end a mother goose leads her train of goslings for a swim, sending out small ripples on the still waters. I am fully awake and alive, enjoying the gift of nature.

    I fly out this afternoon for a five day trip to Seattle, coming back on Tuesday. My sister, Sheree and I, are going to spend time with my sister Marcee and brother-in-law, John, who are staying at a VRBO in Lake Forest Park. I am not taking my computer and do not plan on blogging but I do have the new camera, charged batteries, SD cards and a $20 bill in my pocket. I’m packed and ready to go! Most likely will self quarantine when I get back. It’ll be fun! See ya!

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  • clouds,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  quotes

    Time In Prayer

    June 20, 2020
    Morning reflection on a glass smooth Dixon Reservoir

    “It is no surprise that in our loss of connection with Nature, we have forgotten how to pray. We even believe that we do not need to pray.”

    John O’Donohue

    Joan and I met for a walk/talk session at Pineridge Natural Area this morning. We took the shorter route around the reservoir which is not quite 3 miles. They were predicting a beautiful day after yesterday’s overcast skies and rain, so a lot of people were out to enjoy it. After our walk we ate brunch on the patio of a new restaurant called the Chicken Coop, which serves American Mexican breakfast and lunches. We will need to go back and try other things on the menu and definitely include another walk.
    Time in nature is time in prayer.

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  • clouds,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas,  prairie

    Storm Clouds in the East

    May 21, 2020

    Storm clouds on the Colorado eastern plains

    You could not help but notice how beautiful the clouds were on my walk yesterday afternoon. When I got back to the condo I decided to take a few images of those clouds at the Pineridge Natural Area. I discovered it’s very different at 6:00 pm than at 6:00 am. The parking lot was full of cars. People were walking and riding bicycles on the trails and the rest were fishing. The darker clouds at the horizon look to be rain. I would estimate these clouds are somewhere around 40 miles in the east. I could see a bolt of lightning every once in a while.

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  • Avian,  lake,  natural areas

    Periods of Silence

    May 17, 2020

    Great Blue Heron at Dixon Reservoir this morning

    The strange look to this water is really the clouds reflected on the calm waters of Dixon Reservoir this morning. When I arrived there were several fishermen out along the shores including this Great Blue Heron. This is almost a 75% crop because it was shot at 55mm, thus it’s not the best image but the feel is what I wanted anyway.

    One of the reasons I come here is because of the silence. The nature area is right up along the foothills and does look down on Fort Collins and very little traffic to be heard. But, things seemed quieter this morning at the nature area, with several periods of complete silence, even with the meadowlarks. I did arrive earlier than usual which may be the reason. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

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