• landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  poems,  quotes,  sunrises

    Chilled

    January 15, 2021

    To live in this world
    you must be able
    to do three things:
    to love what is mortal;
    to hold it
    against your bones knowing
    your own life depends on it;
    and, when the time comes to let it go,
    to let it go.

    Mary Oliver

    Had a short night of sleep, yet feel rested on this beautiful January morning. Almost cloudless sky until the sun rose and a few wisps of clouds arrived. Took my camera on a morning walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area after the sun had risen. The short walk was good for me but I picked up a chill by the time I returned to the car. Stopped at the Bean Cycle for a mocha latte on the way home, but still chilled. I have enjoyed the quiet morning. The sound of busyness can be heard as the city stirs awake.

    One friend is having back surgery this morning and a second friend has an appointment with a surgeon this morning for similar surgery, both have herniated discs. I have had back problems for most of my life due to scoliosis. X-rays a few years ago showed a 40 degree curve to my left with a spinal twist, plus arthritis. I do some stretching exercises they showed me which I think has helped. Plus I do not stress the back with heavy lifting and use good techniques in bending and lifting. Someday I may be having the same surgery.

    Looks like cold has a grip on most of the country so stay warm!

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  • clouds,  haiku,  Humor,  landscape,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Makes sense to me

    January 12, 2021

    pink clouds on horizon
    pulled hood over head
    cold morning sunrise 

    ms

    Saw a short video that suggested we not give the vaccine to our healthcare workers first because if something does go wrong with the vaccine we could be in serious trouble without our healthcare workers. They suggested we give it to our politicians first. That way if something does go wrong with the vaccine we are not losing anything. With our political environment in the state it’s in now, it makes sense to me. I could even suggest where to start. 😁

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  • clouds,  landscape,  sunrises

    Moments like this…

    January 5, 2021

    Wanted to share this mornings pre-dawn colors. I took this near the south dam on Horsetooth Reservoir, a scene that looks out over the sleeping city of Fort Collins. We are expecting high winds today and I could already notice them picking up. I love how nature creates anew each day with the clouds, the patterns and color palette that all stir up deep feelings within me. When I got home I asked myself the question, “Would I come here if I was not a photographer?” I’m aware I do have the incentive to take images, hoping to come home with a keeper or two. However, at this stage in my life, it’s more about being there, letting it all touch me in some way. It’s moments like this which draw me closer to creation and a conscious contact with its creator. I call them spiritual experiences.

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  • Camera Equipment,  clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  sunrises,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Remain a Student

    January 4, 2021
    December sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area -2020

    arise in darkness
    greet the morning sun
    be present to silence

    ms

    It is becoming quite evident to me that I get the best colors when I shoot between f5.6 – 13.0 when using this Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4.0 lens. I think that is pretty typical for most lenes. For some reason it is more noticeable on this lens or it could just be me and my thinking. And, shooting at f11 gives a much different starburst than at f16.0. I must always remain a student! 👍

    Colors from last night’s sunset
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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Happy New Year

    January 1, 2021

    I spent some time last week creating a slideshow of favorite images from 2020 but I was not satisfied with it. And, just as I’ve not had any Christmas spirit this year, the mood for a slideshow was not there. Instead, I decided to greet the first sunrise of 2021 with a mocha, my journal and camera and post that image. I always start each day’s entry in my journal with the date. So this morning I smiled when I wrote 2021 because I have hopes for the coming year and the needed healing for our wounded world; politically, economically, environmentally, socially and spiritually.

    As I journaled a car pulled up beside me and a young couple got out and sat on the small bench. They wrapped themselves in a blanket and joined me in greeting the new year’s first sunrise. They agreed to let me include them in the photo. I hope and pray for any who read this post to have a wonderful year in 2021.

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  • Avian,  landscape,  seasons,  sunrises,  winter scenes

    I didn’t question it…

    December 30, 2020

    Cold morning. Another one of those nights, awake at 3:00 am. It said 5 degrees at 5:30 am. Saw the moon and drove to Reservoir Ridge for some full moonset photos. I was given this image on the way home and liked it better. It gives you more of a feeling of what kind of morning it was. Someone has been energetic enough to clear the snow off the ice and created a nice skating rink in the foreground of this image. The Canada Geese were along the open water and in the water enjoying the weather. Not me. When I got back in the car the dashboard said it was 1 degree. I didn’t question it.

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  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Welcome the New Day

    December 27, 2020

    sun rises in the east
    beams of light embrace nature
    welcome the new day

    ms

    Morning sunrise at Topminnow Natural Area. This is one of the newer natural areas and is still not open to the public. The city is presently restoring this old gravel pit and planted about 10,000 wetland shrubs in 2015. It is named after one of the native fish species that will be reintroduced there (plains topminnow). A good start to my day!

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