• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  trees

    Love the Clouds

    Storm Clouds
    Clouds at Riverbend Ponds

    Been a busy morning, on the go for most of it. I headed out to the Riverbend Ponds because the storm clouds are breath taking today. We have had three consecutive days of thunder storms in the afternoon bringing heavy rains, lightening, flooding and even tornados along the Colorado Front Range. They are predicting two more days of the same thing and these clouds look like the potential exists. With spring runoff beginning and the heavy rains the creeks and rivers are full and in some places out of their banks. This is true of the Poudre River at the Riverbend Ponds. They have part of the bike trail closed off. Even though the storm clouds are natures way of showing its power, I love the clouds. Hope everyone enjoys the 3-day weekend.

  • snow

    Sleeping in Late

    Tracks

    Minus 7 degrees this morning at 5:30. By 8:00 we were up to -3 and  bright sunshine. Predicted high of 28 degrees caused me to smile. Heat wave is here today. If you notice those are the Canada Geese in the background, sleeping in late.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  quotes

    What’s Left Behind

    Small Bass Pond
    Small Bass Pond

    “Parks and gardens are the quintessential intimate landscapes. People use them all the time, leaving their energy and memories behind. It’s what’s left behind that I like to photograph”. 

    Michael Kenna

    While on a walk in the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area I encountered an elderly gentleman on the trail. He had a walking stick in each hand and a small Canon around his neck. As he walked in front of me he would stop every once in a while, look around, taking it all in. He would raise the camera to his eye, frame a shot and press the shutter and methodically move on. No chimping. The walking paths in this area are level and easy to walk so for us elderly folk it is a great place to touch base with nature. I caught up with and enjoyed some time walking and talking with him. We both agreed we enjoy our nature areas. Just a few days before, this scene was covered in snow.

  • quotes,  sunsets

    Play Time

    October Sunset
    October Sunset

    “If you’re not feeling the full joy of life, it could be that your creative urge is not getting enough play.” Thomas Moore

    I intended to shoot some images of the rising moon last night, which I did, but they were nothing compared to the sunset in the west. This was my play time last night. It was a tad bit cold but what a joy to experience.

  • clouds,  HDR,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas

    Just what I needed

    Riverbend Ponds
    Riverbend Ponds

    Yesterday brought overcast skies and gentle rains throughout the day. Along with the rain and clouds comes cooler temperatures, almost had a Fall feel to it. Late in the afternoon the clouds broke and sunshine once again brightened up evereything. A sudden impulse to head out with camera and tripod for one of the nature areas led me to the Riverbend Ponds.  Clouds then began to build up to the northwest, darkening the sky. Rumblings of thunder let me know I was not going to have that much time out there. About 45 minutes of walking and taking a few images I started seeing raindrops on the water, telling me it was time to head back to the car. I just finished a 3-day trip Saturday afternoon so I needed the time away from the city and people. The Red-winged blackbirds were singing, while sparrows and swallows would sweep down and skim along the water surface searching for dinner. And, every so often a fish would break the water as it took some insect off the surface of the water, leaving circular ripples to move across the water. It was just what I needed.

  • landscape,  sunsets,  trees

    It’s Cold Down Here

    Reflections at Mary’s Lake at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

    I’m now in Phoenix visiting my parents. I headed out for some morning sunrise photos and froze out there. I was not expecting the weather to be this cold. It was 27 degrees yesterday morning and about 33 this morning. May have to go back to Colorado to get warm. But, I am enjoying time with my family. This image was taken a couple yeras ago at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver. Have a super day.