• Avian,  landscape,  sunrises

    Sunrise and the Fence Post

    April 18, 2014
    HDR Preset at Dawn
    HDR Preset at Dawn

    This image is post processed using an extreme HDR Pro 2 preset. I like it. There is no sign of the city. No sounds of the city. Just the wind blowing in the grass. It’s an image that reminds me why I get up early, make my latte, and drive east to watch the sun come up.

    But, there is another reason I get up early. The birds! As took the above image a couple meadowlarks were singing in the back ground. Ever notice how birds are up early? And, they’re singing. And, they’re happy. Ever wonder why? Well, maybe it’s because, as William Camden says, “The early bird catches the worm.” Or, in this case it’s probably going to be flying insects, but still. Begs the question why the insects are out so early. Why don’t they just sleep in late and not get caught? One of those nature things. But without all that circle of life stuff, I wouldn’t get to enjoy hearing them sing in the morning when I get up early.

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  • fog,  sunrises

    A Cold, Frosty and Foggy Morning

    October 12, 2012
    A Cold, Frosty, and Foggy Morning

    For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. 
    For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

    Edwin Way Teale

    Most photographers think of the Fall season as an opportunity for capturing the changing colors of the trees or watching leaves as they flutter to the ground. It is also the season for harvesting and preparing for the coming of winter as well as a time when our mornings turn colder, frost turns the landscape a pale shade of white and fog delays the warming rays of the sun. To me that’s a good time to be out with a camera in hand.

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  • architecture,  quotes

    Seeing as a Child

    October 11, 2012
    Something’s Missing

    “It is part of the photographer’s job to see more intensely than most people do. He must have and keep in him something of the receptiveness of the child who looks at the world for the first time or of the traveller who enters a strange country.”

    Bill Brandt

    I do need to be more of a child when experiencing this world of ours.

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  • fog,  sunrises

    Cold October Morning

    October 10, 2012

    It was a cold morning, 33 degrees with the humidity at 89% and clear skies. Perfect time to head out east for Autumn images. Five miles out and I can see the fog shrouded around the trees. My mind is racing to come up with a location to setup and shoot. I turned south on County Road 13 heading for a cattail pond. But, as I get there the fog looks more appealing so I move on farther. It was a good decision. Nature was showing off giving me glimpses of the ghostly trees, frost on the fences and the sun intermittently peaking through the fog. Another good morning to be out.

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  • HDR,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    County Road 19

    September 3, 2012
    Evening sunset taken a couple of weeks ago on County Road 19, just east of Fort Collins.

    Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.

    Wendell Berry
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  • Plants/Nature

    The Corn is Getting Tall

    July 31, 2012
    The Corn Field

    A drive out east on County Road 15 showed lots of corn fields with some very tall corn stalks. Everything is green out there from all the irrigation with a coolness not found in the city limits. Kinda nice place to be. I’m off on a 3-day trip today, see when I get back.

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  • sunrises

    I’ll Be Back

    July 16, 2012
    Morning Starburst

    The city has worked on the Red Fox Meadows Nature area over the past 3-5 years. I just happened to be near the area and noticed the added improvements and turned car around to check it out. They have improved the walking path from the muddy trails to pea size gravel, added some fencing and signs in the restoration areas and a bathroom. I was impressed. I was also impressed with the sun as it rose above the trees to start it’s task of warming up the day. And, this park is only three blocks away. I’ll be back!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  sunsets

    Clear Skies

    June 29, 2012
    It was a good day!

    With the small amount of rain the High Park fire is dying out. The inciWeb site says, “Firefighters continue coordinating making assessments with local authorities for orderly re-entry to evacuated subdivisions. Crews are removing hazard trees along main public roads to improve public and firefighter safety. Much of the fire shows no smoke, but substantial heat remains throughout the fire. Firefighters are searching out remaining hotspots throughout the fire and putting them out. ” Those are great words to hear. And, it is nice to look west and not see smoke.

    Yesterday was a full day. Fellow photographers Cindi Smith, Susan Thomas and myself took a drive up to Mt Evans. Wonderful views of our state from 14,000 feet. Cooler temperatures and bit of rain and sleet had us putting on jackets. On our way back down we indulged in some homemade pies at the Echo Lake Lodge. Once back in Fort Collins I headed out to the Arapahoe Nature Area for some quiet and to watch the sunset. I was not disappointed. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

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