• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  reflections,  sunrises

    Lovin Time with Nature

    Sunrise over Dixon Reservoir

    After my quiet time I noticed the eastern horizon had a nice lovely pink glow as I looked out my bedroom window. Excitedly I made a mad dash to Pineridge Natural Area. The whole sky was red as I drove up there but had begun to fade and diminish in size by the time I set up my camera. Seemed like nature was excited that it was Valentine’s Day and put on quite the show. What a gift it is to live as close as I do to these sanctuaries. Even though I caught the tail end of the morning show, I was tickled pink with what I was able to witness and photograph.

    Reflections

    Later in the afternoon I was struck by the beauty of the clouds against the blue sky, so it only seemed natural to make my way to Arapaho Bend Natural Area and taking my camera for a walk. Or maybe the camera took me for a walk. Anyway, I walked the path that meanders between the ponds and the Poudre River, with the ponds on the west and the Poudre River on the east. The trail on the other side of the ponds is a paved trail but I chose the dirt rail. Well those trails were muddy and so were my shoes. But, it was time well spent, good for my soul and the shoes can be cleaned.

    By the time I arrived darker clouds had moved in and the sun was now hidden. This image is looking south across one of the ponds. I was drawn to those dark clouds that had drifted in and the soft reflections of the trees in the water. A gentle but cold breeze was blowing across the water’s surface leaving small ripples and adding texture to the image.

    Poudre River

    This image is along the Poudre River side of the trail and looking north. It was taken about 20 minutes after the second image but in nearly the same location. Interesting how those 20 minutes allows nature to change the lighting and mood of everything and rather quickly.

    February is a prime time for eagles to begin nesting, so I was lucky to see two eagles hanging around a nest that I’ve never noticed before. Unfortunately no photo opportunities but now I know where they are. I’ve read that the eagles are beginning to nest in more populated areas. However, I want to respect their space so I’ll give them plenty of room when I return. It would not surprise me if they close off that area if they discover eaglets later. Colorado has relatively mild winters and there are lots of large reservoirs that retain some open water with abundant fish and waterfowl. Grateful I got in some lovin time with nature and got to see the eagles!

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

    … this meeting place

    I know plenty of people who find God most reliably in books, in buildings, and even in other people. I have found God in all of these places too, but the most reliable meeting place for me has always been creation.

    Barbara Brown Taylor

    The only sound was from my boots crunching the gravel under my feet as I walked to a favorite location along the ridge above Pineridge Natural Area. I like this spot because I can look out to the eastern horizon and find the skies reflection in Dixon Reservoir. When I arrived I setup my tripod then stood, listening to the silence. I like this meeting place in creation. I also didn’t want to take a photo but as you can see I did. Hope you have had a good day.

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

    The Language of Nature

    We need to move: from a spirituality of alienation from the natural world to a spirituality of intimacy with the natural world, from a spirituality of the divine as revealed in words to a spirituality of the divine as revealed in the visible world about us.

    Thomas Berry

    I awoke early and made the short trip to Pineridge Natural Area for the predawn colors. We’re expecting snow later today, as much as 4-10 inches by Saturday morning, so I was expecting to see some red sky. I was not disappointed. Almost no wind. Silence, which is such an integral part of the language of nature.

    Later, when I got to the coffee shop I felt a bit of regret as I may not have stayed as long as I could have. Seems my focus had moved on to enjoying a mocha rather than staying present and accepting all the gifts nature was wanting to share with me. Maybe I was intuitively aware of my spirit of alienation from the natural world over the past few days due of traveling. Maybe the divine in nature was asking me not to leave just yet. As I write this post I’m aware of my gratitude for the natural world that we are a part of, that is available to me, my ability to spend time within it and the amount of time I do spend in it. 

    I’ll end this post with a prayer on this Thanksgiving Day: I am thankful for family, friends, and those who are both. I pray for the healing of this wounded world and that we embrace the divinity of this natural world we share. Hoping you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

  • quotes,  reflections,  spirituality,  sunsets

    A question to ponder

    If we ever want to be happy, then, we need to move beyond the level of simple material satisfaction to the development of the spiritual dimension of what it means to be human. We not only need to find out what we do best and do it to the utmost. We also need to ask ourselves again why we were born. What is it that we have that the world needs and is waiting for us to provide?

    Joan Chittister
  • landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    O’Dark Thirty

    Predawn colors and reflection at Dixon Reservoir

    What a wonderful way to start this day, any day for that matter. This image as taken at O’Dark thirty (6:49 am) and the show was absolutely gorgeous. Almost no wind and a pleasant 28 degrees. After experiencing a sunrise like this and I head back into the chaos of the city, I can feel as if I needed to stay longer. I’m not sure whether the feeling arises from within me or if nature itself is whispering, please don’t leave yet. Maybe both. I believe these moments have a way of transforming me at some deep level. I am just never the same man. This morning was one of those mornings. Curious if any of you experience such feelings after time with nature, not wanting to leave? Anyway, I am so thankful for all the gifts so graciously given and my desire to receive each one of them. I met Mark for breakfast and conversation where we talked and wept over the tragedies happening in our world, a list that seems would have no end.

  • natural areas,  quotes,  reflections

    Curiosity

    Reflections at Arapaho Bend Natural Area this morning

    No, it’s not fools who turn mystic. It takes a certain amount of intelligence and imagination to realize the extraordinary queerness and mysteriousness of the world in which we live. The fools, the innumerable fools, take it for granted, skate about cheerfully on the surface and never think of inquiring what’s underneath.

    Allows Huxley

    I must say our fall colors are truly popping now. I see trees that are almost naked. I also see trees glowing and radiating in the gold, yellow, red and bronze colors of fall, their leaves excitedly dancing with the wind. I am glad to be at a place in my life of witnessing the extraordinary queerness and mysteriousness of the world in which we live. My hope is that I never lose the curiosity Mark mentions in his comment a few days ago. I wish that we all be the curious mystics we are meant to be. Met my friend Eric for coffee this morning and saw this scene on the way home. Enjoy your Saturday.

  • reflections,  sunrises

    A beautiful start to this day

    The day began with quiet time at home then a visit to Pineridge Natural Area to receive the gift we are offered. The sky was filled with ever changing clouds and colors. A gentle wind created small ripples across the waters surface. A quiet stillness surrounded me. These sacred moments are vital to my spiritual journey and a beautiful start to this day. I’m now at a coffee shop, surrounded with rather loud conversations and all the noise that comes with this lifestyle. I consider myself an introvert if we define it as someone who enjoys spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds. Too much external stimulation can cause me to feel uncomfortable. I will meet Mark later for coffee and conversation then back home to the quiet. Anyway, what a beautiful start to this day. I’m looking forward to the forecast for rain later this afternoon. 😊 May you have a wonderful day!!