• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  reflections,  sunrises

    The morning begins…

    Predawn at Pineridge Natural Area

    … as I unintentionally wake at 3:54 am. Wide awake I decide to get up. I made a trip to the bathroom and then settled into my prayer and meditation time. Ate a quick bowl of cereal, made a chai latte and headed out the door in anticipation of this day’s offering. The sun was not up yet but soon would be. I wanted to be at Pineridge Natural Area for pre-dawn light and sunrise.

    Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area

    Nature has so much to offer us this time of the day with its creative beauty, the silence, the solitude and witnessing the miracle of a new day. When we allow it, it touches the soul. Clouds presented warm pink and orange colors to entice the eyes. Meadowlarks and robins greeted me with beautiful songs of love. One meadowlark who seemed very excited, sang to me the whole time. I watched a Great Blue Heron wading along the shore who was soon joined by four more. I assume all were in anticipation of breakfast.

    Sunrise and light fog at Rolland Moore Park

    From there I headed east towards Arapaho Bend Natural Area in search of possible images of fog and morning light. This is an area that sits along the low lying land of the Poudre River, usually rich with fog. But, as I drove by Rolland Moore Park I could see the sun bursting through trees, casting light across the wet grass and its rays lighting up the fog. Distracted now, I quickly pulled into the parking lot and grabbed my camera and tripod. Again, I was given a lovely gift of golden light, shadows, and the sparkling wet grass. Grateful I was there!

    Sunrise and reflection at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    By the time I arrived at Arapaho Bend Natural Area the sun had burned off most of the fog. Since the wind blew yesterday the skies this morning were clear and bright. A group of pelicans and Canada Geese were kind enough to share this sanctuary with me. I stood along the shores of the pond, which are reclaimed gravel pits, and let everything soak in, taking in deep breaths. What I experience in these early mornings may seem strange to some but it is my life. I am filled with gratitude! I then moved on with my day in anticipation of the possible gifts yet to come. And one of those gifts is the coffee shop for a mocha latte.1And when I got there (Starry Night) they had just made their chocolate chip/chai scones. They do not make them very often so I had to have one. Hope you enjoyed a peek at my morning images. Have an Awesome day!

  • Avian,  haiku,  writing/reading

    Patient Fisherman

    patient fisherman
    focus is on the present
    misses tries again

    ms

    I watched this Great Blue Heron for several minutes as it slowly moved along in stealth mode. They fish without a lure but wade slowly while stalking their prey in shallow water or flooded meadows, and will strike using their neck to throw their sharp, dagger like bill at their prey. On this morning they actually had a three for three success rate for small fish while I watched. An adult heron can easily consume up to 1 lb of fish per day. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but also frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, insects, rodents, birds. 

  • Avian,  Fujifilm XF70-300mm f4.0-5.6,  Photography

    Majestic Beauty

    standing tall
    ever present to the moment
    majestic beauty

    ms

    I was startled by this heron as I came around a curve. They were standing in water along side of the road and immediately lifted off landing on the other side of the water and posed for me. So, I shot this from my car, hand held, motor running. Only made tone and contrast adjustments, no sharpening or clarity. Pretty much right out of the camera. Shot at 300mm f8.0 1/450 second and ISO 200.

  • Avian,  clouds

    Taking Off

    Sitting on my porch yesterday afternoon with a friend when this Great BLue Heron landed in a cottonwood tree in front of us. I grabbed my camera and got off 6 images before they were gone. I have three images of them perched, which is the way we usually see them, but this action shot of them taking off was the one I decided to post. Shot with the Fujifilm X-T3 and the XF 16-80mm lens, at 80 mm at 1/1500 f6.4, ISO 160. I love the back lit feathers on their wings.

  • Avian,  lake,  natural areas

    Periods of Silence

    Great Blue Heron at Dixon Reservoir this morning

    The strange look to this water is really the clouds reflected on the calm waters of Dixon Reservoir this morning. When I arrived there were several fishermen out along the shores including this Great Blue Heron. This is almost a 75% crop because it was shot at 55mm, thus it’s not the best image but the feel is what I wanted anyway.

    One of the reasons I come here is because of the silence. The nature area is right up along the foothills and does look down on Fort Collins and very little traffic to be heard. But, things seemed quieter this morning at the nature area, with several periods of complete silence, even with the meadowlarks. I did arrive earlier than usual which may be the reason. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

  • Avian,  Blossoms,  Cactus,  flowers,  Plants

    My Walk to Coffee

    Red Bird of Paradise
    Red Bird of Paradise

    Its about a half mile walk from the house to the little cafe at the recreation center where I can sit among fountains in cushioned chairs, sip on a mocha and write. Here are three from the walk.

    Yellow Blossom on a Prickly Pear Cactus
    Yellow Blossom on a Prickly Pear Cactus

    Great Blue Heron
    Great Blue Heron