• grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  prairie

    Being Alone

    September 16, 2020
    Beard-grass at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “Our language has wisely sensed these two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the word “loneliness” to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone.” Paul Tillich

    The wind, warm days, and low humidity is stirring the embers of the fire. We can see, smell and feel in our throats the smoke from the Cameron Peak fire. The good news the crews have been able to make headway to prevent the fire from growing even bigger. Could see more moisture in 2-3 days. I took this a couple days ago when we had less smoke. I found this very uncomfortable rock to sit on and watch out over the meadow. This is the view. 

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  • haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Sacred Finale

    September 14, 2020
    Setting sun on my walk at Reservoir Ridge Nature Area

    sun sets in the west
    starburst on the horizon 
    sacred finale

    ms

    It is that time of the year when the air quickly cools down as soon as the sun drops below the horizon. My body noticed the temperature drop so shortly after I took this image I headed back to the car. I now walk one of the natural areas almost every day. I drive to a couple and within walking distance to two near my home. When I drive to Pineridge and Reservoir Ridge I find more quiet from the city noise. So, I prefer to go there. Reservoir Ridge is probably my favorite natural area right now. It has been closed for three days due to muddy trails from the snow we had earlier in the week.

    You can still see smoke in the sky from the Cameron Peak fire and the fires from the west coast. The Cameron Peak fire is not out but smoldering under several inches of snow. I can smell the smoke this morning. This mornings update says, “With warm temperatures, low humidity and a sunny day the snow continued to melt rapidly, and the fire activity became more noticeable.” The snow has definitely helped in quieting the fire for the last few days but the danger is not over. Thankfully, we are in a much better situation than the west coast.

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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    Stepping into silence

    September 7, 2020
    This image was taken about 7:15 pm last night at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “Stepping into silence feels like I’m getting back to myself. Because from it I can find answers to life’s problems, creative ideas, and deep understanding.” Chelsey Brooks, The Pathfinder

    Feeling restless yesterday evening, I drove out to one of the natural areas for a short 2.5 mile walk. I was greeted with a silence and a peacefulness I was not aware I so deeply needed. The sky had a different look and feel all afternoon because of the smoke from the Cameron Peak fire. It was eerie. I don’t expect today to be any different as this morning the eastern sun glows red, the smell of smoke fills my nostrils and I can watch the soot and ashes falling like snow.

    Was not alone on my walk yesterday, I saw a few birds but they were not singing, silently darting in the smoke filled air. A lone mallard with reedy quacks called out from the pond. Everything was still, no wind, not a blade of grass moved. At that moment I realized I go to these sanctuaries because I can step into a place of silence. A silence that’s connected to nature, freeing me from the restlessness I felt earlier and getting back to myself. Unaware,  I was listening to the voice whispering from within.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  sunsets

    Here we go again…

    August 23, 2020
    Helicopter with bucket heading to the latest fire, the Lewstone Fire

    Yesterday afternoon a new fire began in the Rist Canyon Area. It began as a brush fire and is located about 12 miles from my condo. The above image was taken yesterday evening around 6:40 pm at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, a favorite hangout for me. Here is what that scene normally looks like at sunset. This is in the same vicinity of the High Park fire back in 2012 that burned over 87,000 acres and killed one woman. Needless to say the air quality is horrible at the present moment. We are now getting smoke from our two fires and but also the smoke from California fires are now moving into the area, even reaching as far east as Nebraska. 

    If you look closely in this image you can see the helicopter carrying a bucket of water to the fire. They have brought in firefighters from the Cameron Peak Fire in an attempt to gain control as quickly as possible. But, we are talking about nature which we have no control over. Last report I saw this morning the fire had grown to 140 acres at 11:00 pm last night with 0% containment. 

    The Cameron Peak fire is now over 19,000 acres and at 0% containment. Weather conditions are not good. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90’s the next five days with no precipitation. I’m inside this morning with my door closed because of the smoke. Not burying my head in the sand but trying not to take in any more smoke and soot than necessary. Probably not going to run a marathon today but I will try to get my walk in.

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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas

    Cameron Peak Forest Fire

    August 14, 2020
    Red sun seen through the smoke from the Cameron Peak forest fire last night

    We now have a forest fire about 60 miles west that is affecting us smoke. This was taken last night at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Here is a link to the fire status. This morning we can definitely smell the smoke as it hovers over the city. Sure has an eerie feel to it.

    Sun setting just dropping below the horizon and a billowing cloud of smoke
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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  natural areas,  poems,  Self-portraits,  trees

    A New Beginning

    August 1, 2020
    Quiet time for reading among the pines at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    For a New Beginning

    In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
    Where your thoughts never think to wander,
    This beginning has been quietly forming,
    Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

    For a long time it has watched your desire,
    Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
    Noticing how you willed yourself on,
    Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

    It watched you play with the seduction of safety,
    And, the gray promises that sameness whispered,
    Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
    Wondered would you always live like this.

    Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
    And out you stepped onto new ground,
    Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
    A path of plentitude opening before you.

    Though your destination is not yet clear,
    You can trust the promise of this opening;
    Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
    That is at one with your life’s desire.

    Awaken your spirit to adventure;
    Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
    Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
    For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

    John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us
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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Humor,  landscape,  mountains,  Plants,  quotes,  sunsets

    Softening the Heart

    July 18, 2020

    Sun setting behind a sunflower at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “The old Lakota was wise. He knew that a man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.” Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Lakota

    I’m  aware of how much more time I’m spending in nature. Seems the morning and evenings are always calling me. I took this image last night. But, this morning I took my latte, camera and journal to Red Fox meadows. A red fox scampered across Taft Hill Rd just as I turned into the parking area. Then as I parked the car a red tailed hawk rose up from the grass in the meadow but I did not see anything in its talons. I began to journal and listen. After about 5 minutes the fox came out a wooded area and into the grassy meadow. They were too far away to take a photo so I watched with my binoculars. They just sat there soaking up the sun and seemingly with eyes closed decided to lay down. Even I was enjoying the sun’s warmth. There were blue jays off to my right in a grove of trees having a rather loud discussion about something. I’m pretty sure it was not politics. I then watched a doe slowly walk out of the wooded area but staying close to the trees. I next had a short conversation with an elderly couple on a morning walk, both with canes. They lived nearby and said they were hoping to see owls. He was 88 and she was 83. Then as I started to leave a mother with two boys pulled up. I told them about the fox, deer and hawk which seemed to set expectations for some adventure. As they moved on the youngest told me, “Thank you Mr. Kind Man.” I believe, as does Luther Standing Bear, that nature can soften the heart!

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