• landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  trees

    Calm and Reflective

    Reflections at Arapaho Bend Nature Area
    Reflections at Arapaho Bend Nature Area

    Had to make a couple trips to Windsor so I took County Road 5 rather than the Interstate. It’s a slower paced 2 lane road and a lot less traffic. On Monday I saw 7 hawks and on Tuesday I saw 4 of them. They always cause me to smile as they are so majestic. Each day for them is about survival. Seems like a simpler life than mine. I have much to learn from them. The water was calm and reflective at the Arapaho Bend Nature Area. 

  • landscape,  natural areas,  shadows

    A Log and It’s Shadow in Color

    A Log and It’s Shadow in Color
    A Log and It’s Shadow in Color

    Here is the same image as yesterday only in color and another quote. 

    “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Wendell Barry 

  • Black and White,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  shadows,  Silver Efex Pro 2

    A Log and It’s Shadow

    Log and It’s Shadow
    Log and It’s Shadow

    Took a walk this past Sunday along the Red Fox Meadows nature trail. Mostly cloudy day but so enjoyable and much needed time in nature to clear the thinking. It also provides the exercise my body and spirit need. I find it fascinating when scenes appear that catch my attention and become an image for me. I feel like a child discovering something new. Processed this image with one of the presets in Silver EFEX Pro. Made a tone curve adjustment then posted it.

    “Nobody can discover the world for somebody else.  Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond…” Wendell Barry

  • landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Just What I Needed

    Sunset at Kingfisher Point
    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.

  • lake,  landscape

    Here it comes!

    Bright Twinkling Stars

    As I post this image the sun is shinning. However, the wind is picking up and dark clouds approach from the North. The temperature is a nice 58 degrees, yet they are predicting temperatures in the teens tonight and near zero the next two nights. The daytime highs will not be much above freezing as Old Man Winter moves in. So, I decided to post this bright and cheerful image from Saturdays walk. Stay warm!

    PS: It’s now noon and temperature is at 28 degrees. We dropped 30 degrees in 4 hours and had light snow. Brrrr!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Cityscapes/Urban,  natural areas,  Plants

    A Cold Front …

    Fall Starburst
    Fall Starburst

    … is on it’s way. Temperature tonight is expected to be in the high 20’s then low 30’s on Tuesday night. But, this past week and the weekend have been gorgeous. Yesterday was 74. Yesterdays sunrise was gorgeous but I only saw it from my bedroom window. Just couldn’t get out the door. Kids on campus wearing, shorts, flip-flops and tank tops. People were biking and playing football at the city park. I took advantage of the weather and made a couple trips to the nature areas. I’m making chili soup today. Stay warm.