• leaves,  trees

    We Call It Fall

    Morning Frost
    Morning Frost

    This is the time of year when temperatures swing from near freezing in the morning then rise by mid-afternoon to 75 and short sleeves. We scrap frost off windshields at 6:30 am then have doors open by noon. We call it fall.

    Cottonwoods and Leaves
    Cottonwoods and Leaves
  • fall season,  landscape,  natural areas,  trees

    More Bluer Skies

    Starburst on a beautiful fall afternoon.
    Starburst on a beautiful fall afternoon.

    This pat weekend was lovely. Afternoon temperatures reaching the mid 60’s and nighttime temperatures down to freezing. The cold nights and humidity brought frost to everything in the morning. Saturday morning included some fog where I could not see across the pond.

  • landscape,  sunrises,  trees

    Memorial Day Begins

    Memorial Day Sunrise on County Road 13
    Memorial Day Sunrise on County Road 13

    I awoke at 4:00 am, made a French Press coffee, put it in my thermos then drove out east to Weld County in anticipation of the morning sunrise. It is a beautiful day. We had a few rain showers yesterday afternoon which makes it a bit humid and therefore I came home chilled. However, the need to be out there and listen to all the Meadowlarks singing to me and watch the sun rise was worth it.

  • clouds,  fall season,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  trees

    Back to Nature

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    Clouds and blue sky at the Arapaho Bend Nature Area.

    Needed a reprieve from the city noise and tension it seems to generate. So, I dropped my grandson off at work on Saturday afternoon then drove to the Arapaho Bend Nature Area. Loved the blue sky against the brown trees and the soft delicate scattered clouds in this image. Lots of people out with the same idea. My intentions were to get out and walk, find a place to sit and read a book. Of course I just happen to have my camera, so when nature provides scenes I accept them. Just off to the left of this image was a photographer working on some family portraits. Hope they turn out okay.

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    Milkweed pods and seeds, another generation, found along the trail.

    I find milkweeds almost everywhere. They are abundant along our rivers and I found them abundant while living in Ohio. They are a source of food for many insects and an attractor for monarch butterflies. However, they are not recommended for human consumption. Better off eating that banana or trail mix. Just enjoy their beauty!

    Afternoon starburst against a cottonwood tree
    Afternoon starburst against a cottonwood tree in the Fall

    I have several images of this tree with the sun directly behind it. It seems to always be in that same location and offering me another photo opportunity but each time with different light, foliage and cloud patterns. So, they are never the same image. I enjoyed getting back to nature and letting it touch me inside.

  • architecture,  Art/Design,  Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  sunsets

    Fountain at Sunset

    Fountain at Sunset
    Fountain at Sunset

    I do not have a grill back in Colorado at my condo because of a city fire code. Anyway, now that I’m house sitting I have been able to use my brother-in-law’s grill, twice. Last night it was spicy sausages. 🙂

    While things were cooking I was drawn to the neighbors back yard and the little fountain they had. The scene was beckoning me to grab my camera, step over near their wall, kneel down, compose and press the shutter. To me it represents the life people live down here.

    Let me tell you, I am not used to this heat at night. Back in Colorado we cool down at night, but not here. It can still be 85-90 when I go to bed. It would take some adjustment for me to live here.

    Oh, and in case you care to know, the sausages were Awesome!