• 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.

  • 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.