• landscape,  mountains,  nature,  quotes

    Learning to Listen

    August 12, 2024

    Learning to pray is learning to listen. Within the heart we learn to wait with patience for God’s words, which may come even when we have not asked. Listening itself is a form of prayer, in which our whole being is receptive.

    Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

    I always thought that it would nice to live near a river and fall asleep each night listening to the song of the river. But that’s not the reality in my life. However, when given the opportunity I am learning to listen to the rivers and streams. If that’s prayer then so be it. This is an image of the Big Thompson River in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park taken back in May. Happy Monday!!

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  • landscape,  National Parks,  quotes,  river,  Smoky Mountains National Park

    The Earth is a Gift

    August 12, 2022
    Fall colors on Roaring Fork River in October of 2003

    “Our elders say that ceremony is the way we can remember to remember. In the dance of the giveaway, remember that the earth is a gift that we must pass on, just as it came to us. When we forget, the dances we’ll need will be for mourning. For the passing of polar bears, the silence of cranes, for the death of rivers and the memory of snow.”

    Robin Wall Kimmerer

    This quote reminded me of my visit to the Roaring Fork River back in 2003. I went up there with a fellow photographer to share expenses and have my first visit to the Smoky Mountains. It was also my first year with my first digital camera, a Nikon D100. I was very impressed with the beauty of this area. Someday I would like to make a return visit.

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  • Barry López,  landscape,  Plants,  Poudre River,  seasons,  trees,  winter scenes

    Nature’s Teaching

    January 27, 2022

    “Over the years, one comes to measure a place, too, not just for the beauty it may give, the balminess of its breezes, the insouciance and relaxation it encourages, the sublime pleasures it offers, but for what it teaches. The way in which it alters our perception of the human. It is not so much that you want to return to indifferent or difficult places, but that you want to not forget.”

    Barry Lopez, About This Life

    This an image of the Poudre River taken north of town near Watson Lake State Wildlife Area. I’ve lived in the Fort Collins area for about 25 years now and yesterday was my first trip to this beautiful area. I was impressed with it and will look for other photo opportunities to share with you. I agree with Barry Lopez that time in nature alters our perception in a positive way. Conversely our lack of time in nature and indifference with nature also alters our perception in a negative way. I firmly believe it is the biggest reason our world is in the mess it is in. We need Nature’s teaching!

    Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and today is overcast and snow began falling about 7:00 am. If you look closely you will see a group of 6 deer just to the right of the bridge. Have a great day!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunsets,  trees

    Sunset on the Poudre River

    October 30, 2021

    This is sunset on the Poudre River at a new natural area called McMurry Natural Area. It has a short 1.5 mile dirt trail that winds around two fishing ponds and the Poudre River. I found it to be quiet, serene and with few people. I will need to go back. They say the ponds have orange spotted sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegills, black crappie or yellow perch and sharks. Just kidding on the sharks. 😁Today would have been mother’s 90th birthday. Probably will have thoughts of her crossing my mind throughout the day.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Finding the quiet

    February 8, 2020
    A nice light fresh snowfall along the Poudre River and cold

    “Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.”

    Rumi

    Maybe 2 inches of snow fell yesterday. I made a drive north of town on Larimer County Road 19 and stopped at the North Shields Natural Ponds where I took this image of the Poudre River. I continued north and one more of the trees. It is snowing in the mountains and the reason you cannot see them in either image. It was clear blue skies a couple miles north of this image. As I returned to town so did the cloudy skies and snow. One reason I headed north was to find the quiet. And I did.

    A small group of trees along the Foothills
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  • grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    Praying for peace and forgiveness…

    January 8, 2020
    Smooth waters on the Poudre River

    It takes courage to forgive someone who has wronged us. Because we are often so caught up in our egos that forgiving seems like losing an egoistic battle. But sometimes we have to take the high road with forgiveness, both for the other person and for our own wellbeing. Sure wish more egos were right sized and forgiveness more acceptable.

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