• flowers,  Plants

    Closed for the Night

    August 26, 2016
    Closed for the Night
    Closed for the Night

    Plants that tuck themselves in for bedtime exhibit a natural behavior known as nyctinasty. Scientists know the mechanism behind the phenomenon: In cool air and darkness, the bottom-most petals of certain flowers grow at a faster rate than the upper-most petals, forcing the flowers shut. I’m not sure what this flower is but I encountered a dozen of them along a raised garden on a late evening walk. All of them were closed. I may have to revisit these flowers to observe and learn more about them. Hope everyone has a super awesome weekend!

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  • insects,  quotes

    Walking With My Camera 

    July 17, 2016
    Dragonfly
    Dragonfly

    Took my camera for a walk yesterday. All images taken with the Fujifilm 35mm f2.0 lens and handheld. Both images are 100%, or greater, crops.

    Black and White Fly
    Black and White Fly

    “Every human being needs a contemplative practice, perhaps gazing at nature in wonder, with a camera or paint brush, taking time.”

    Thomas Moore
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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas

    A Spring Day

    April 4, 2016
    Reflection
    Reflection

    What a beautiful day we had yesterday. Actually the whole weekend was all about Spring. I took a walk out at the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area. People were out walking the dog, riding bicycles and fisherman all along the banks of ponds. I talked one fisherman and he was a grinning and bragging about the bass and perch they were catching.

    Starburst
    Starburst
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  • fall season,  leaves

    Frosty Morning

    November 7, 2015
    Frosted Leaves
    Frosted Leaves

    They predicted the temperature to drop as low as 20 degrees last night but I did not stay up to find out. My covers were nice and warm so I slept in and what I beautiful frost nature gave us. After quiet time I bundled up and came for coffee. It actually was a nice walk with the sun shinning. Here is another image from the Big Leaf Maple I pass by each morning on my walk. Enjoy your weekend!

    No Lightroom processing. Loaded into Polarr and re-sized for the internet. Would appreciate it if you would let me know what it looks like on your monitor.

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  • grass,  leaves,  Plants

    Caught

    August 7, 2015

    Caught in the Grass
    Caught in the Grass

    I found this leaf caught in the tall grass along the Fisher Nature Area. It seemed to be suspended in the air so I took a shot. When we take the time to notice each leaf has a specific look. The shape, color, and size are all dependent on how much light, water, nutrients, insects and weather. I walked past this leaf a couple days after taking this image and it was gone. I assume blown away during one of the windy days or disturbed by someone passing by.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas

    I Like What I See

    March 14, 2015
    Shadows in the Snow
    Shadows in the Snow

    It’s nice to see the weather finally starting to warm up. But this is Colorado so we could have 6 inches of snow and be back in the teens in four weeks. This past weekend was nice for us out here in Colorado. I took a walk at the Environmental Learning Center on Saturday and the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area on Sunday. Both areas were pretty muddy and that means things will be greening up before we know it.

    During my walk I realized how I have taken my vision for granted. By vision I’m referring to the ability to see. A blind person must see with other senses. I also see in color that others do not. The older I get the more aware I am of those things around me, being present to the moment. At this time in my life my mind is not tied up with family worries or a project schedules at work. So, there is gratitude in just seeing. And, I like what I see.

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  • flowers,  Plants,  sunsets

    Suspended in Air

    August 13, 2014

    Suspended in Air
    Suspended in Air

    Last nights walk through Rowland Moore Park allowed me to see nature do, what I thought, was a very strange thing. From a distance I noticed a leaf suspended in mid-air. I stopped and moved closer. It looked like a blade of grass had poked through a hole in the leaf and was holding it up. So, I grabbed a photo and continued on my walk. After loading it on the computer and lowering my exposure, I was able to see that the leaf was suspended in the air because it had fallen on a spiderweb. The sensor saw it but my eyes did not. The walk also included a photo of the setting sun bursting through tree branches and couple huge dandelions, everyones favorite flower.

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