• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Up before dawn

    November 2, 2022

    The more I see of unmechanised places and people the more convinced I become that machines have done incalculable damage by unbalancing the relationship between Man and Nature. The mere fact that we think and talk as we do about Nature is symptomatic. For us to refer to Nature as a separate entity — something we admire or avoid or study or paint — shows how far we’ve removed ourselves from it.

    Dervla Murphy (1965)

    Had my quiet time then headed to Pineridge Natural Area to enjoy the colors of this new days beginning. I had no intentions of heading to the natural area when I got up but I could see clouds on the eastern sky and figured there could be a chance for an interesting display of colors. I was not disappointed. As I stood there taking in the colors I could hear a couple of owls calling to one another across the waters of Dixon Reservoir. Afterwards I met a friend for coffee and conversation at Starry Night. It was a great way to start the day.

    The sun now shines from a clear blue sky and our temperature reached a lovely 70 degrees today. I sat outside and journaled, soaking up the sun. Yet, they predict a cold night and a mix of rain and snow for tomorrow. I may need an extra blanket tonight. Going to meet friends later this evening. Hope you had a good day!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  musings,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  trees,  writing/reading

    Happy Work

    October 28, 2022
    Trailhead at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment… The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.

    Albert Camus

    There are moments that simply happen through no conscious intention or will on anyone’s part. These are spiritual moments for me because they reach some deeper part of my being. They’re like a shutter speed of time, set aside, which nourishes my soul and adds to my life. This image was taken at that perfect moment when the light was illuminating the trees for only a few seconds. With the sun setting, the clouds moving rapidly, it truly was a matter of seconds. I was not aware of the shortness of time when I pressed the shutter. Only while looking at it on my screen at home did its impact hit me. This scene and image was a short moment in time and will never be repeated exactly like this again. It was one of a kind moment and one of a kind image and I stayed present for it. For that I’m grateful.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    The Gifts Creation Offers

    October 26, 2022

    It seemed like a long time since I had been to Pineridge Natural Area to photograph and experience the pre dawn light and silence. I looked in my archives and the last sunrise image I took was in July. Well that needed to come to halt. So, I’ve been throwing off the warm covers and making my way out to the natural area this past week. Silence. Solitude. Beauty. Cold toes. I need to receive these gifts creation offers. Most songbirds are gone while a lone owl lets me know with a “Who hoo” that they are glad for the new day. Or maybe they are glad I finally showed up again. It was 30 degrees yesterday morning when I took this image. After taking a few images I headed to a coffee shop to warm my hands around a mocha latte. It is cloudy this morning and we are expecting a slight chance of rain today. Hope you have a great day!

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Then things changed…

    October 24, 2022

    The day began as I watched the predawn colors on the eastern horizon then the sunrise from the ridge above the reservoir. I sat on the bench watched and listened. An owl, perched on the dead cottonwood tree, sharing with the world their joy for this new day. I enjoyed the warm sunshine and a light breeze we had all morning, drinking coffee and reading on the porch. It is what’s known as a perfect Colorado fall day. Then things changed… 

    By mid afternoon dark clouds had moved in, temperatures began to drop and the cold wind brought its power and authority to our attention. I put on a coat rather than a jacket and stepped outside for my walk. The cold wind stung my face and my nose began to run. The wind blew the still clinging leaves from their branches and sent them sailing in every direction. Some danced around me as if I was that important. My body knows this feeling as we move more into the later stages of fall and the promise of the colder season that quickly approaches, winter. Did I mention it’s cold?

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  • Annie Dillard,  leaves,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  quotes,  sunrises,  Uncategorized

    … try to be there.

    September 30, 2022

    “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

    Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

    The winds began to pickup on Thursday afternoon. I stood on my porch watched them blowing with the wind. We may see isolated storms over the next two days, so many trees will probably be barren by Monday. We really had no bright colors on the trees this year, almost every leaf turned brown then began their descent, the final stages of their lives as leaves. I learned to make it a routine to grab my camera and walk around my condo and along the edge of the ponds just to be there. Never know what simple beauty I will discover

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  • clouds,  horizons,  journal,  journaling,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    A Sacred Place

    September 17, 2022
    The still waters of Dixon Reservoir

    A photo and excerpt from my journal this past July:

    Tuesday morning at Pineridge Natural Area. Sun just rose on an almost cloudless horizon. Our meadowlarks sing joyfully. Thank you! Bless this day. Love the birds. I awoke early this morning so had a short night of sleep and may need a power nap later today. The sun is a blinding bright orange orb. It will soon heat up this July day. It is a glorious time of the day for me. My young friend, Kate’s car is here, so she is already up on Viewpoint Spur practicing her morning yoga/meditation. It is also a glorious time of the day for her. This is a sacred place for many. Yet, even in this sacredness I find my mind wandering away to the busyness of the day, fretting, planning and no longer present to the sounds and beauty of creation. I take a deep breath and return. I believe these mornings transform the core of who I am and is an integral part of my own evolution, becoming who I was created to be. A process I will continue to take until my final breath.

    ms
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