I spent time at one of the natural areas this morning. Peaceful, serene and for me a great way to start my day. Driving home a young man in a large black CJ7 Jeep come up beside me rather fast, speakers blasting. When he pulled up beside me at the stoplight my car began to vibrate and my bones began to vibrate due to the volume. It was at that moment all serenity and peace evaporated. I quickly began to fantasize for a twitching nose like Samantha from the Bewitched television show and twitch my nose to blow those speakers. I’d show him! Yes, I go there once in a while. Have a great weekend! ðŸ˜
Awoke early and headed east with intentions of stopping at the Kingfisher Point Natural area then walking across the road to the ponds. However, there are now private property signs all along this area. I do not remember them in the previous visits, of course it has been a while. Usually if they are trying to restore an area they post it as such. So, I stayed on my side of the street. Everything is green and lush right now.
Thought I’d include some history of Kingfisher Natural Area from the CSU website. In 1998, the Fort Collins Natural Areas Program (NAP) purchased the dried waste ponds and has worked since then to rehabilitate the soil, remove non-native plants, and create places for urban recreation. Further south, NAP also added land that includes floodplains ponds, possibly the site of earlier gravel mining like those at Cattail Chorus and Riverbend Ponds, to Kingfisher Point to create a more hospitable area for water birds. After a century and a half, the city mostly has returned water at Kingfisher Point Natural Area to wildlife and environmental protection while simultaneously creating green spaces for residents to recreate.
They say you can see great horned owls as they’re known to occasionally nest in the area. As the name implies you will see kingfishers, along with wood ducks, pelicans and western tanagers. On a warm evening, you might hear chorus frogs. Good morning from Fort Collins!
Sunset at Kingfisher Point – Nix Farmhouse in the Background
Being on the restless side I headed east with no specific place to go or be. I ended up at the Environmental Learning Center and enjoyed a much-needed walk. Disappointed I did not see any deer but I did see the Great Horned Owl “whoooo” has been there all summer. Pretty much had the place to myself.
On my way home I could see a few clouds hanging over the mountains which offered hope for sunset colors. I pulled into the Kingfisher Point Natural Area parking lot. I have only been there one other time. It is primarily a fishing area with just under a miles worth of trails. No cars in the parking lot so I headed for the ponds.
The afternoon in the quiet of nature, the sunset, the persistent mosquitos and nats, the chilly fall air, all made me aware of how vital it is to be in nature for my health, both mentally and physically. It turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. The restless spirit has subsided and I slept like a baby.
