Storm clouds were on the eastern horizon enticing me to head out of town to find open areas for an image or two. Before I knew it I was on a course heading north to the Soapstone Natural Area. I did get a few cloud images but I also was gifted with a few unexpected images of this beautiful landscape and a few bison images.
This natural area is the biggest one the City of Fort Collins maintains. It is 48 square miles of wide open vistas, nearly pristine grasslands, miles of trails and cultural resources. The trails are a mix for hiking, biking and horses. Thankfully they have restricted access to some areas to keep them free of man’s destructive tendencies. During excavations in the 1930s by the Smithsonian and Colorado Museum of Natural History they conclusively dated human habitation in in this area to at least 10,000 years. You can go online and find many stories about the early homesteaders, mostly ranchers and sheepherders, in this area as well as the American Indians.
In November of 2015 they introduced a herd of bison on over 1,000 acres of pasture land which is inaccessible to the public. However, the main entrance road, Rawhide Flats Road, and Cheyenne Rim Trail, follow along the edge of this pasture which gives an opportunity to observe them and even get a few photographs, if they are close enough. I find these animals so intriguing.
And of course this area is a haven for my favorite bird the meadowlark. It is also a place for many other birds, such as red-tailed hawks. The Fort Collins Audubon has a bird checklist that’s two pages long. You will find coyotes, fox, rabbits, prairie dogs, deer, antelope, and elk and of course a few snakes. I don’t go there often enough and it is always an uplifting experience for my soul when I go. It’s nice to come home with a few images but just spending time there, listening to the silence, transforms me in some wonderful way. Experiencing nature’s touch.
ominous storm clouds in the east
ms
rain, hail and wind hidden within
we watch in silence, the hawk and I
2 Comments
Earl
It sounds and looks like a wonderful area, Monte, and you made some beautiful photos. I, too, find the bison intriguing.
It’s gotten dry here, and there isn’t any rain in the weekly forecast. There are, however, several days of mid 90ºF high temperatures predicted. Fluctuating temperatures and weather seem to have become the new normal.
How’re your parents like their new living arrangement?
Take care and have a good weekend!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Earl. I noticed you are going to experience some hot days this coming week. Drink lots of fluids!
My parents are doing quite well. They moved in this past Wednesday. My sister sent photos and they looked tired. The coming weeks will be all about the adjustments needed. I believe the relief of having help will be the greatest gift of this move.