“Our living is determined not so much by what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to life; not so much by what happens to us as by the way our mind looks at what happens.” Khalil Gibran
Afternoon Walk
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This was taken 4 days ago on my afternoon walk. -
Here we go again…
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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Eerie Red Sun
The sun trying to shine through the smoke and clouds This is not the easiest scene to photograph but it’s much easier than trying to fight a forest fire. The sun has been an eerie red color for the past few evenings due to the smoke generated by the Cameron Peak Fire. I have stopped in my tracks several times to just look at the bright red color of the sun. As of last night the fire had grown to over 12,000 acres and has crossed over Highway 14. Today’s temperature is going to be above 90 again but winds are to be calm, which adds to the heat. The smoke has been strong, causing my eyes to burn, and the smoke on my clothes remind me of campfire days as a young man. This is not the best image to start the week with but it is what it is. Have a great day!
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Forest Fires
Front Range Sunset It was hazy all day yesterday due to smoke from all the forest fires burning. I drove out east of town hoping to see a red sunset and to get out of the city. This image does not show the intense orange of the sun through the smoke. Hope you have a super Awesome Sunday!
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Shadows and Sunlight
Morning Shadows and Sunlight -
Happy Birthday, Chris
A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give.
Laurel AthertonIt is beautiful but cold down here and for those who are residents, it is real cold. I went for a walk Sunday afternoon with bright sunshine but into a slight breeze from the west. Let me tell you that breeze was chilly. Been here a week and enjoying the time with my parents, having them all to myself. But, this time with them brings the awareness of their increased years. Spending time with them is precious to me.
Also, today is my oldest daughter, Christine’s, birthday. As each birthday celebration of my children or grandchildren comes along it brings an awareness of their aging and mine. The number of years is irrelevant as life is moving way too fast. Time with them is special and sometimes seems like there is not enough. Anyway, Happy Birthday, Chris! You are a star! I love you!
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Inspiration
Sunrise Along County Road 13 It’s my belief passionate photographers have a voice inside that suggests ideas for images. These ideas randomly present themselves at the strangest moments: driving the car, taking a shower, dreams in the middle of the night, scrambling eggs, reading a book, etc. Some we remember and some fade off in the darkness of forgotten moments. Some inspirational moments are to motivate us, make us take action. The above image was just such an inspiration.
The inspiration came to me on a Saturday afternoon. The Idea was for a Sunday morning sunrise shoot. I knew about where on County Road 13 I wanted to setup and what time I needed to be there. Other than that I did not have any specific vision. I knew there were trees and fence posts that I could include in the image. I would not know what I’d come home with but I needed an image. It was also about experiencing a morning sunrise not. Probably more importantly, I needed to take action of that voice. As these small trees are on private land I needed to shoot from the bar ditch or road. I walk up and down the dirt road for places to setup. The temperature was a warm 34 degrees compared to the single digits we had the previous week. The cold was invigorating even though my fingers were aching when I finished. It’s not an image I will print but it was just what I needed. I followed the inspiration.
