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

    Want to be there…

    September 25, 2021

    I told myself there probably would not be many opportunities for images when saw the overcast skies as I left the condo. However, I no longer go to the natural areas just get a photo. I go because I want to be there and hopefully nature expects me to show up. Rather unusual scene at Pineridge Natural Area as the clouds offered only a small crease on the horizon to allow the pink glow of the sunrise to peek through. Simple processing: increased exposure to lighten the sky, touch of noise reduction and a 16:9 crop. Shot at 1.2 sec, f 8.0 and iso 800, on a tripod.

    This morning is my granddaughters wedding rehearsal and tomorrow afternoon is the wedding. Tried on my sport jacket and danged if it hasn’t also been affected by the pandemic shrinkage problem. 😁

    Read More
  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    I Made a Good Choice

    September 13, 2021

    After quiet time I usually check my weather app. This morning it told me it was 55 degrees with cloudy skies and possible rain. It is very easy for me to tell myself there is no need to go to the natural area because the cloudy skies will not offer a good image and believe that lie. Glad I did not listen to what I think I think I know but ventured out anyway. I was given these lovely clouds for going. I also was able to experience the soft gentle call of an owl from the ridge behind me, listen to mallards squawking on the reservoir as they made gentle v-shaped waves on the water and saw a couple of bats darting above me. I knew I’d made a good choice.

    I’ve been going up there for the past 18 months on a regular basis. It has become a part of my morning ritual. About six months ago I began to see a young lady who would come up maybe 4-5 times a week. She grabs a yoga mat then walks up Overlook Trail to greet the morning sunrise. We now wave to each other as we have become part of the natural area. This morning before she headed up the Overlook Trail I said good morning and let her know I could hear the owl somewhere on the ridge. Said she saw them yesterday morning and “who-hoo, who’d” back and forth with them. Yep, glad I didn’t listen to my thinking this morning.

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  poetry,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Morning at the Reservoir

    June 6, 2021

    quiet morning at the reservoir
    calm water mirrors predawn sky

    as the sun nears the horizon
    the meadow begins to come alive

    song birds fill the nights silence
    crescent moon surrenders to day

    dark shadows give way to light
    cherish this gift of awe and wonder

    ms

    I brought out the blue in this image, which makes it look unreal, so we could see the crescent moon better in the upper right corner. Interesting that I didn’t even see the moon when taking the image. 😁Have a great Sunday!

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Too Dang Early

    May 27, 2021

    Awoke just before 4:00 am yesterday morning. Couldn’t sleep so I got up about 4:10 am and was in the parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area about 4:55 am. That’s too dang early! I decided to head out hoping to get an image of the lunar eclipse. Cloudy skies took care of any eclipse shots. I did check it out through binoculars. However, nature did provide some very nice colors in the pre dawn skies and a wonderful concert of bird sings.

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

    Favorite Moments

    April 27, 2021

    courage to persist
    listening for our answer
    robins morning song

    ms

    Watching the first light of this new day, the moon setting in the west while the sun brightens the eastern sky. A gentle wind blows, prompting the meadow grasses to dance. A pelican bobs on the waves of the reservoir. Robins sing their morning song for me. A hawk effortlessly soars on the wind currents high above the reservoir. These are calming moments for my soul to begin the day. We have a chance for rain today, much needed moisture.

    Read More
  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  silence,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Predawn Mystery

    March 25, 2021

    in stillness and silence
    colors begin to appear
    predawn mystery

    ms

    I sit in the upper parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area for this morning’s sunrise. Below me the city slowly stirs awake. Here, in this natural area, nature has already begun stirring as chattering magpies sit atop cottonwood tree branches. The geese and ducks make small waves across the reservoir. The wind is still. In the cold I listen to the silence and experience a calming that I will carry into my day. This is becoming an integral part of my morning prayer and meditation. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine spending mornings like this. Now, living in the present is how I choose to begin my day. For each new dawn offers the mystery of this day’s events that only we can live and experience in the present moment.

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Life is Good

    March 3, 2021

    I’m noticing the signs of spring. I’m noticing the Canada Goose are back so the noise begins over whose spouse is who’s and choosing their nesting sites. I noticed this morning the robins were singing their spring medleys in the predawn light at Pineridge Natural Area. I’m noticing the sun rising farther to the north each morning. I’m noticing I need to rise a bit earlier each morning as longer days will be our norm. I’m noticing a few buds on trees, they are not as barren as they were a couple weeks ago. And, I noticed it was warmer this morning at 31 degrees. All signs letting me know spring is nearing.

    The first image was taken at 6:17 am with warm pink clouds that brought me a smile and warm feeling inside. The second image as taken a 6:28 am as the sun first began to crest the eastern horizon. After this last image I headed to Cups to journal and sip on a honey vanilla chai latte. As they say, life is good.

    Read More