My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
All the joy the world contains Has come through wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.
The Way of the Bodhisattva
I drove through Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way back from my coffee and conversation with Eric. I saw three Golden Eagles but they were out of my lens range. A couple minutes later I watched and listened to this meadowlark sing. I want to believe the meadowlarks song is offering joy by wishing happiness for others. Now sitting outside enjoying the cool wind and lovely clouds! Enjoy your Saturday!
I leave the chaos to enter the sanctuary of nature, aware this spiritual life is about our experiences.
I listen as the meadowlark sings from their heart, the wind carrying their notes to all who will listen.
I learn, after the last note fades into the past, to stay present, just as the meadowlark, listening to the gift of silence.
mws
I saw two extraordinary events yesterday afternoon at Pineridge Natural Area. While scanning the area with my binoculars I watched a large raptor, which I believe was a Golden Eagle, flying straight at me with a prairie dog in their talons. Golden Eagles are common in the area but this was my first sighting of one. Later, while journaling on the bench about the eagle there was an increase of chatter among the magpies just below me. I looked up from writing and see a bobcat. This was the first one I’ve seen in this area even though there are several in the area. I took no photos, just memories that remain in the present! Enjoy your weekend!
A steady rain has been falling since about 7:30 am this morning and the weather app says this will be the norm for the next 6 days. Always good to get a gentle rain. I needed time in nature yesterday afternoon and drove out east into Weld County. The sky was beautiful with the clouds over the mountains. But my focus switched to birds as meadowlarks and Western Kingbirds were out and offering me photo opportunities. The sun is out for now. May go for a walk.
A meadowlark perched on the fence sings from the light of its soul
May you recognize in your life the presence, power and light of your soul.
May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your own individuality and difference.
May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see your self with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees you in every moment.
John O’Donohuefrom “To Bless the Space Between Us”
Take time to see the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
John O’Donohue
Clear skies and sunshine this morning in Colorado. Listening to the meadowlarks send their songs across the open meadow, urging us to seek the quiet miracles all around us.
I awoke early this morning, way too early. Unable to go back to sleep I made a pour over then headed to Pineridge Natural Area. I would spend the next hour and a half in this sacred place while the city still sleeps. A couple of baby cottontails dashed across the road when I pulled into the parking area. After parking the car I could see the silhouette of bats darting in the dim light feasting on insects. A croaking frog belted out from the shallows of the reservoir. The meadowlarks now share their songs of joy. I had maybe an hour before sunrise so I moved to the north end of Dixon Reservoir because nature was gathering a few clouds in the northern sky. After taking a few predawn images I moved to a spot along Dixon Canyon Road and set up my camera looking out over the reservoir where I wanted to watch and photograph the sunrise. As I left this sanctuary an hour later the clouds had filled the sky and the beauty of the new day’s sunrise was more than I expected. This is one of the predawn images and I will post one of the sunrise images later. Next I had a wonderful conversation with Dan and an Old Town mocha latte at Mugs coffee shop. It has been a lovely morning but I do believe there will be a power nap later today. May you have a fabulous day!
In the dim predawn light I watched bats darting about, snatching mosquitos out of the air. Amazing to watch their agility and quickness. I made my way to a favorite rock, set up my camera and tripod then sat down on the rock. This rock sits low to the ground so I’m almost in a squatting position. I settle into being a part of this natural area and not just its observer. Beauty surrounds me: the bluestem grass rising above my head, blue-gray colored sage, yellow prairie sunflowers, yucca plants, yellow blossoms of the cactus, rabbitbrush and the white blossoms of milkweed. The air is cool, refreshing. A couple goldfinches blast past me as a silent yellow blur. Mosquitoes annoyingly buzz around me but they do not bite. A pack of coyotes begin howling to the south of me as they coordinate their hunting efforts. I watch a solitary Canada Goose lead the way in front of two paddle boarders, all three making waves across the reservoir’s surface. The sun breaks out above the clouds that sit along the eastern horizon. The arrival of the sun seems to excite a meadowlark and they begin to joyfully sing. I rub one of the stems of the sage brush between my fingers so I can take its spiritual fragrance with me. The spirit of this place stirs a song and prayer within me, it’s called morning prayer, it’s my lauds. Grateful I came to this intimate meeting in this sanctuary. I feel the same joy as the meadowlark. I will meet Brett later for coffee and conversation. Have a great day!