• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains

    A Memorable Day for Clouds

    June 1, 2022
    Pineridge Natural Area about 5:00 pm

    Nature was creating beautiful art with the clouds and the dark blue sky on Memorial Day. As any restless photographer would do upon seeing these clouds from home, I headed to Pineridge Natural Area to take in all the beauty, journal and listen to the birds sing. With nothing on my schedule for the rest of day and with all the cloud activity, I decided to drive east so I could get closer to those clouds. 😂

    Looking at the eastern horizon about 7:30 pm on Memorial Day

    Along Weld County Road 15 I spotted this scene. What a mix of dark, almost tornadic looking formation on the left side of the image and those bright white cumulonimbus clouds on the right just at the horizon. Not sure how far away they were but I imagine 40-70 miles. With all the wind blowing the smog along the Front Range out over Kansas somewhere, we have had rather beautiful dark blue skies the past few days.

    Running Deer Natural Area about 8:00 pm on Memorial Day

    Driving back into town I stopped at the Running Deer Natural Area for a bathroom break and was given this third image. I love how nature does that, just freely and unexpectedly offers gifts. Just to the left of center you can see clouds shrouding around Longs Peak (one of Colorado’s 53 14ers). This view is looking out over a marshy area so I am surrounded by Red-winged and Yellow-headed blackbirds all in chorus, and of course, millions of bugs.

    As I write this I am reminded of the homemade ice cream my parents would traditionally make on Memorial Day when I was younger. And today would have been my parents 73rd wedding anniversary and the first without mom. I will give my dad a call. And, maybe talk about the homemade ice cream. ❤️

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  poems,  quotes,  rants,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Some questions

    April 8, 2020
    Longs Peak at sunrise seen from Running Deer Nature area

    “I want to sing like the birds sing
    Not worrying about who hears
    Or what they think.”
    Rumi

    I wonder what went through the minds of our ancestors who were physically, mentally and spiritually closer to nature then we are? I ask because I come to these nature areas to find distance from the noise of the city but find my mind is consistently distracted. Were they capable of being more present than I seem to be? I’m aware the more time I spend out here the more present I can be. After a period of settling in, adjusting to this place, I hear, then see, the osprey soaring in the wind drafts, being pursued by a pesky crow. Next I notice a goldfinch that just perched on a bush nearby, singing it’s soft and delicate “swee-eet” song. I watch and am amazed at how quickly the birds can fly from here to there, silently. If you do not know what I write about then spend a morning in a nature area, listen, watch, be present, bring a journal and use it, and please leave your phone at home. Just some questions. 

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  • clouds,  quotes

    Evening Clouds

    December 6, 2012

    Evening Clouds

    “You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

    Being in nature is a form of prayer. With my camera in hand I’m always looking for something to place in the viewfinder. To do that I must observe and stay present then I cannot help but see the wonder of nature and reflect on it’s creation. I’m thankful to be there and when giving thanks we’re offering a prayer in nature.

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