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

    Try to be there…

    April 5, 2022

    “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

    Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

    These are the predawn colors at Pineridge Nature Area this morning. A strong wind was blowing from the north, robins were singing and magpies were squawking. At first one may think the magpies are complaining but I like to believe it’s their way to greet me in the morning. Just maybe they are thanking me for being there. After some journaling at the natural area I made my way for my morning mocha. They also thanked me for being there.

    Back home and clouds now fill the skies. A steady rain is being offered to our parched land and souls. This rain is welcomed, a wonderful sign of spring, so I have a thankful heart. Hope you have a great day and try to be there.

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

    Cloudless Horizon

    March 23, 2022

    We must be true inside, true to ourselves, before we can know a truth that is outside us.

    Thomas Merton

    I finished my taxes yesterday. My taxes are pretty easy because I do not have the millions that some of you have to deal with. I just enter zeros and I’m done. 😁

    I’ve been working on a couple of ongoing writing and photography projects the last few days and plan on more of that today. Drove to Pineridge Natural Area early this morning for predawn colors before having a mocha latte at Mugs. I’m usually not too excited with cloudless skies but this morning was an exception. Hope you are being true to yourself today!

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  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Silence of sunrise

    March 3, 2022

    predawn colors
    painted on eastern horizon
    silence of sunrise

    ms

    We had some beautiful skies this morning during predawns performance. I just happened to be there and have my camera with me. We will enjoy the day before we have 5 days of cold temperatures with rain and snow. A pattern of nature before entering into full spring. Have a wonderful day!

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  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Ever Changing Light

    February 20, 2022

    While the city slept I made a trip to Pineridge Natural Area hoping for colors on the eastern sunrise. I was not disappointed.

    Quite often I see a lady walking her two dogs at this natural area. Not sure if she lives nearby or not but they are regulars. This morning both dogs wore these reflective dog harnesses or some sort of battery operated harnesses. The dogs always get a good workout with her as she does set them on a pretty good pace. Looks like her and the dogs stay fit.

    Just before sunrise a man arrived and stood next to me using his phone to take images while both of us oohed and awed the gift we were witnessing. We shared in small chit-chat then each headed for coffee after the sun had risen.

    This second image was taken 26 minutes after the first image at roughly the same point. Gives an idea of the ever changing light and how nature continuously creates something new. And, I want to believe it’s just for our enjoyment. We are expecting a warm day today before snow and cold return tomorrow.

    on the horizon
    the sun offers a new day
    ever changing light

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

    Hang on to your hat…

    January 31, 2022

    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.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area

    A Good Start

    January 12, 2022

    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!

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