• clouds,  horizons,  landscape

    A Silver Lining

    February 22, 2024

    Restless at home yesterday I decided to drive to Weld County along County Roads 13 and 15. The skies were abundant with clouds. Darker clouds hung on the eastern horizon where rain was falling. Clouds in the west were displaying their silver lining as the sun set behind them. And the wind blew, reshaping clouds, and creating new works of art to enjoy. The wind also playfully rolled tumbleweeds across the open fields and roads. A hawk circled above searching for its next meal. Hundreds of Canada Geese flew in formation as they made their way to the fields for the night. I was blessed to see my first meadowlark of this year and had a second one sing its love song for me. I was glad I made the drive. I like how the irrigation system adds a leading line into the promising horizon.

    Silver lined clouds

    This morning we have overcast skies and a mix of light rain/snow. The rain is refreshing, but the dull gray skies do not compare to the artistry of yesterday’s sky. I have a relaxing day ahead. Need to send a couple of emails and binge on chocolate. Just kidding on the chocolate!!! 😂 May you enjoy your day!

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  • animals,  Avian,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  poetry,  Soapstone Prairie Natural Area,  writing/reading

    Experiencing Nature’s Touch

    May 22, 2021

    Storm clouds were on the eastern horizon enticing me to head out of town to find open areas for an image or two. Before I knew it I was on a course heading north to the Soapstone Natural Area. I did get a few cloud images but I also was gifted with a few unexpected images of this beautiful landscape and a few bison images.

    This natural area is the biggest one the City of Fort Collins maintains. It is 48 square miles of wide open vistas, nearly pristine grasslands, miles of trails and cultural resources. The trails are a mix for hiking, biking and horses. Thankfully they have restricted access to some areas to keep them free of man’s destructive tendencies. During excavations in the 1930s by the Smithsonian and Colorado Museum of Natural History they conclusively dated human habitation in in this area to at least 10,000 years. You can go online and find many stories about the early homesteaders, mostly ranchers and sheepherders, in this area as well as the American Indians.

    In November of 2015 they introduced a herd of bison on over 1,000 acres of pasture land which is inaccessible to the public. However, the main entrance road, Rawhide Flats Road, and Cheyenne Rim Trail, follow along the edge of this pasture which gives an opportunity to observe them and even get a few photographs, if they are close enough. I find these animals so intriguing.

    And of course this area is a haven for my favorite bird the meadowlark. It is also a place for many other birds, such as red-tailed hawks. The Fort Collins Audubon has a bird checklist that’s two pages long. You will find coyotes, fox, rabbits, prairie dogs, deer, antelope, and elk and of course a few snakes. I don’t go there often enough and it is always an uplifting experience for my soul when I go. It’s nice to come home with a few images but just spending time there, listening to the silence, transforms me in some wonderful way. Experiencing nature’s touch.

    ominous storm clouds in the east
    rain, hail and wind hidden within
    we watch in silence, the hawk and I

    ms
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  • clouds,  landscape,  lifestyles,  rants,  storm clouds,  writing/reading

    Storm Brewing

    July 22, 2020

    Storm clouds brewing on the northern horizon

    Listening to the news grieves this heart.
    Voices cry warnings of a storm brewing
    somewhere, every day, every moment.

    I want to turn away from it all,
    cover my ears, bury my head in the sand, 
    still storm clouds rise on the far horizon.

    With diligence I stay alert listening to the
    thunder of lies, watching for lightning bolts of anger,
    each a sign of the growing storms of hatred.

    Oh, to wake from this nightmare, to discover
    instead, a sunlight of love rising on the horizon,
    offering us the gift hope. This is my prayer!

    ms

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  trees

    Away from the clatter…

    March 13, 2020

    Clouds, one of natures brushes it uses to create beautiful art.

    “There is no quiet place in the white man’s cities. No place to hear the unfurling of leaves in spring, or the rustle of an insect’s wings. But perhaps it is because I am a savage and do not understand. The clatter only seems to insult the ears.” Chief Seattle

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  • clouds,  landscape,  prairie,  snow,  sunrises

    Life is not like that…

    January 30, 2020
    Sunrise in eastern Colorado

    I felt a strong emotion rise to the surface while on my bus ride this morning. Tears welled up in my eyes, not from sadness or pain but more along the lines of some feeling of love. What is strange about this feeling of love is because of an incident of anger that happened 15 minutes earlier while leaving the condo. I was running a couple minutes late and if I didn’t hustle I would miss the bus which would cause me to have to wait a half hour for the next bus. As I grabbed the doorknob I remembered I needed to get my renewed bus pass out of the pocket of my backpack and felt the anxiety within. As I took the backpack off I got tangled up with the straps and my anxiety burst into anger and choice words (#@&!). Almost immediately after hearing the words come out of my mouth and noticed my  increased emotions, I took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. I ask myself what was I really angry at? It was sure not the backpacks fault. This led to a few moments of reflection. While walking to the bus stop I became aware of how much I wanted the world to run smoothly all the time, especially for me. But, the reality is life is not like that.

    Then while on the bus I observed these students solemnly heading to class and wondered what they may be going through. I could see some to be stressed out with school or worried about some relationship that is struggling. Maybe there are health problems in their life, theirs or family. No one’s life runs smoothly all the time nor is there a reason to expect it. The real question is how we face and deal with life. For me the feeling of love on the bus was for those who may be going through much more than getting tangled up their backpack. I have much to learn. Sigh! If you read this far, thanks for listening.

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