• Black and White,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  shadows,  Uncategorized

    Gifted Baristas

    November 11, 2022

    I’ve been noticing the shadows on the wall next to my chair at the coffee shop and knew there was an image there somewhere. Well, one was found this morning. But, what I envisioned required a tripod or for someone to take the photo for me. So, I asked Nate, one of my baristas if he would take a photo for me. I have very gifted baristas! They not only make my mocha but take photos. Thanks, Nate!

    It was cold this morning, 11 degrees at 6:44 am and right now we are all the way up to 37 degrees. I found out I may have been exposed to COVID this past Sunday so I was able to get a test done this morning. It will take about 24 hours so I’m isolating for the day. Sure hope it is negative because my sister and I are planning on heading to Phoenix next Wednesday for a three day visit with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. This will be our early Thanksgiving.

    As I’ve said before, I am a firm believer in nonviolence. We have repeatedly proven violence is not a solution for peace but a seed for more hatred. I served in the military from 1968-1972 at the age of 18. My belief at the time was that if needed I’d kill another human for this country. So, grateful I didn’t have to. I see it so differently now. I hope and pray we can let go of hatred, seek out our similarities, embrace our differences, and see one another as sisters and brothers. May we welcome the gift of peace that is ours. Yet, after saying all that, I respect and am grateful for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for this country in war and especially for those who died in wars that were unnecessary. Thank you!

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  • landscape,  natural areas

    It’ll be fun…

    July 2, 2020
    My new writing studio at Pineridge Natural Area

    This morning I sat at this picnic table, now calling it my new writing studio, since they are allowing people to use them, again. A meadowlark sat on a nearby bush to sing for me while I journaled. I wonder sometimes if the meadowlarks are playing a game with me, as they sing from different places, begging me to find them, this bush, that fence post.  With no wind the reservoir is smooth as glass. One spot on the water was roiling as fish were feasting on the surface. While at the south end a mother goose leads her train of goslings for a swim, sending out small ripples on the still waters. I am fully awake and alive, enjoying the gift of nature.

    I fly out this afternoon for a five day trip to Seattle, coming back on Tuesday. My sister, Sheree and I, are going to spend time with my sister Marcee and brother-in-law, John, who are staying at a VRBO in Lake Forest Park. I am not taking my computer and do not plan on blogging but I do have the new camera, charged batteries, SD cards and a $20 bill in my pocket. I’m packed and ready to go! Most likely will self quarantine when I get back. It’ll be fun! See ya!

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  • fall season,  leaves,  Plants

    Back Home

    October 25, 2016

    Fallen Leaves
    Fallen Leaves

    It’s good to be back home. I left on Saturday morning from Surprise, AZ and drove to Las Vegas, NM. It was a longer day so my drive on Sunday was shorter. I woke early and left early which allowed me to arrive about 12:30 pm.  The drive north is almost a constant climb in elevation, even going over a couple of passes. The elevation change allowed for a scenic drive as I saw the colors changing as I moved through different elevations.

    I missed the slow gradual changing of colors and the dropping of leaves here at home. Many of the trees have lost leaves or are at the end of the color changing, leaving brown leaves awaiting the next wind to blow them off. But, if you’ve followed me you will know I love leaves as does fellow photographer Mark Graf. I found these while on me walk over to the coffee shop. Nature has a way of creating an infinite number of patterns and colors. I love it.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  sunrises

    Dust Spots

    September 12, 2016

    Sunrise on Peralta Trail
    Sunrise on Peralta Trail

    I arrived at my parents home yesterday afternoon about 12:15. I have had some wonderful weather for this trip. But, let me tell you the heat difference driving into Phoenix was a major shift for my body. It was a 100 degrees when I arrived.

    I awoke early and could see lightening north of the Superstition Mountains so I jumped in the car and drove out to Peralta Trail. I had to spend extra time on this image due to dust spots on the sensor. Frustrating.

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  • Great Sand Dunes National Park,  landscape,  sunsets

    38 Degrees

    September 10, 2016

    Sunset at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument
    Sunset at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument

    I had a beautiful day for traveling yesterday, arriving at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. The campgrounds at the Monument were full but the ranger at the gate told me to check with the camp host as there may be a possibility of a single tent available. He was correct as they opened up a group site and put only single tents in there.

    I did some wandering around the monument and walked a short distance out on the dunes and came back for dinner. Later on I headed to a parking lot just outside the campgrounds where I thought I could get a photo of the sunset on the dunes. That’s where I took the first image.

    Sand blowing across the dunes
    Sand blowing across the dunes as I walked to the envisioned sunset

    While walking to this parking lot for the first image, the wind started to pickup as you can see in the second image. And, it blew into the early morning. And, when you camp near the sand dunes you can expect a bit of sand when the wind blows. I broke camp about 6:30 am so I could get on the road early and everything in my tent was covered with a fine layer of sand this morning, including me. It was a cool morning. When I started my car at 7:00 am the temperature gauge said is was 38 degrees. I’m now in Alamosa at the Milagros Coffee House before my drive to Canyon de Chelly.

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  • Glacier National Park,  lake,  landscape,  National Parks

    We Are Nature

    January 18, 2016

    This image was taken in 2004 just afater the massive fires in Glacieer National Park. The haze of smoke is evident in the mountains and you could smell it.
    This image was taken in 2004 just after the massive fires in Glacier National Park.

    Back in 2004 I made a road trip on my motorcycle to the west coast. During the 3 week trip I road 4200 miles. I drove down the northwest coast of Washington into Oregon, ate seafood in Seattle and tried to cover as many National Parks as I could fit into the schedule. I camped along the road except for 4 four nights, setting up camp primarily in National Parks.

    I only scheduled one afternoon and night in Glacier National Park which is not near enough time to really see the park. I setup camp in one of the campgrounds near Lake McDonald but for the life of me can’t remember which one. The previous year was one of the worst seasons of fire in Glacier National Park. A 136,00 acres were burned that year. One of the largest fires was the Roberts Fire, which burned 57,570 acres, that is near the lake. I could see the barren and naked landscape across the lake. There was a fire burning nearby, causing a haze to settle into the lower valleys of the park.

    It’s cold outside this evening so I’m going through my archives and found this image that caused me to remember  the trip. I wrote about this trip before and have a color image or the lake, if you care to check it out. I converted this image to black and white with Silver Efex Pro using one of the presets then making a few simple adjustments in Lightroom 4.

    A final thought : I have in the past wished we had more respect for nature but I think I would rather we understood that “we are nature.”

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