• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Hang on to your hat…

    There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.

    Wendell Berry

    Groggily awake at 4:00 am. After quiet time and a bowl of hot Irish Oats with blueberries I bundled up and headed to Pineridge Natural Area to catch the predawn colors. Nothing like an 18 degree morning to fully wake up. I was not disappointed as Mother Nature gifted me with wonderful colors. I read somewhere that a beautiful red sunrise or sunset must have clouds, just as our life does.

    They say it will be windy and warm today. The strongest winds are expected in the foothills where a High Wind Warning is in effect for wind gusts up to 80 mph. Hang on to your hat! Snow tomorrow.

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area

    A Good Start

    I was able to muster up enough strength to remove the covers and get out of bed in order to arrive before dawn to Pineridge Natural Area this morning. I wouldn’t say it was balmy out but 25 degrees was not too bad. Eastern skies offered a pinch of pink in the predawn light. It was quiet and calm, just me and a couple of hungry cottontails. It’s a good start to this day.

    I received a call last night from a longtime friend’s wife letting me know he was in the hospital with Covid pneumonia, on oxygen and isolated. Their son-in-law is also in the hospital and is not doing well at all. 😢 I pray we all take the necessary precautions to be safe and keep others safe. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

  • John O'Donohue,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Understanding

    Sunrise on Weld County Rd. 15

    “Love allows understanding to dawn, and understanding is precious. Where you are understood, you are at home. Understanding nourishes belonging. When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of the other person’s soul.”

    John O’Donohue

    When I first read this quote my mind pictured myself in relationship with another person. But, after reading it several times I believe that it also can be in the relationship we have with ourselves. It seems to me when we have a healthy love for ourselves we also will have a better understanding of ourselves. Actually all of creation. ❤️

  • haiku,  landscape,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Light of a New Day

    dark blue pre-dawn sky
    fades to the light of a new day
    a meadowlark sings

    ms

    It was 32 degrees and clear skies when I left the condo this morning. I sometimes wish I could completely eliminate the hand of man in my landscape images but it’s almost impossible. However, I believe these towers added something to this image. A meadowlarks song then brightened my spirit, and added even more to this cold morning. Yes, the gift of a new day!

    Had to laugh at myself, though, because I placed my coffee mug on roof of the car when I put my tripod away and then drove off. I went about a quarter of a mile before I remembered it. Still sitting there. Have a wonderful Friday! 😂

  • landscape,  leaves,  Plants,  sunrises

    Go figure…

    I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.

    Joseph Campbell

    I probably drive 4 miles 4-5 mornings a week to be closer to nature, or at least distant from the noise of the city, and greet the morning sun. I usually take some photo as part of this morning routine. But one morning this past week I didn’t. However, when I got back to my condo I saw the sun peaking through the branches of this maple tree. I shot 5 images of the sun coming through the branches and 6 of the group of leaves that have already fallen. Interesting that the images as part of my morning routine were within 50 feet of my front door. Go figure.

  • quotes,  shadows,  sunrises,  window

    Morning Light

    “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

    Elie Wiesel

    As I walked into my bedroom the sun reflecting off the glass in the picture frame caught my eye. So, I grabbed my camera and composed this image. Another scene I was not looking for but given me. Morning light!