• landscape,  National Parks

    The Next Unfolding

    March 27, 2025
    Taken with a Nikon D100 using a Nikon 24-85 mm f2.8-4.0D AF-D lens at 85 mm.
    Exposure: 4.0 seconds at f 16, ISO 200.

    The breaking of day, the silence between words, the light emanating from a real conversation, and kindness, truth, love and the apparent random hand of grace: I want to remain gobsmaked by all of it. Rendered speechless by wonder, I await the next unfolding.

    Richard Wagamese: Embers

    This image was from a week long trip I took back in October of 2003 to Smoky Mountains National Park. It was my first and only visit to the park. I had only owned my Nikon D100 (6 megapixel sensor) for less than a year. It was my first ever digital camera so I was still early in my digital photography formation, getting to know the camera and using Photoshop Elements. A slight break in the clouds on an overcast day offered a gold glow on the water of the Roaring Fork River that lasted just a few seconds before it was gone. It is still one of my favorite moments on that trip and ignited the desire to experience the next unfolding in nature. I find it interesting that I just happen to remember these images and that experience. So I went back into my archives to see what Lightroom enhancements could do today. I also wondered how would I approach this scene today? I also believe that photography has helped me see the world with new eyes and I can easily get gobsmaked1to be extremely surprised or shocked, almost to the point of being speechless, like being smacked in the mouth by something I see in the viewfinder.

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  • fountain pens,  journaling,  quotes

    Embrace living…

    March 25, 2025

    Life isn’t something you leave home to do. It’s what you accomplish within the walls of your haven. That’s what allows you to greet the world with an open heart and reach out and embrace living in all its richness, variety, and staggering wonder.

    Richard Wagamese, Embers

    One way for me to greet the world with an open heart, then reach out and embrace living in all its richness, is setting aside time to put pen to paper in my journals. I find it a great way to begin the new day, as well as end the day, while staying in this present moment. Hope you had a good day and I hope you stagger in wonder tomorrow!!

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  • landscape,  Self-portraits,  sunsets

    Another tool on this spiritual journey

    March 23, 2025

    I pushed the order button on March 2nd for a beginners Native American Style flute, also called a Love flute. I could give you a list of reasons for justifications but it had more to do with impulse than anything else. I have always connected to the sound of Native American flutes. It’s not a loud instrument, does not require a battery or power outlet, has little maintenance, you don’t need to read music, and you can easily take it anywhere. I have never played a wind instrument in my life so this is my first. And, I quickly discovered I wanted a flute made by the hand of a craftsman and out of wood. Some are beautiful works of art and some are simple works of art. I chose a simple work of art and one designed for a beginner.

    Danja portrait

    While taking sunset photos and selfies of me practicing on my Native American flute on Thursday evening, I met a wedding photographer, Danja, who was shooting a young couple’s engagement photos near me. Afterwards, they thanked me for serenading them while they did their photos. I was surprised by their comment because I’m not sure I would call what they heard as serenading. It was more about trying to keep all squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Then Danja asked if she could take a photo of me playing the flute. The top image is what she sent me the next morning. Thank you for the image, Danja!!

    Self-portrait

    I’ve discovered online lessons and courses through youtube and a couple of websites to help me along this journey. I’m taking one online course now. As you know I enjoy spending time in the natural areas and I can think of no better place to play a Native American flute than in nature. I’m finding these locations are ideal to practice learning how the flute and I can make music together. I’m 74 years old and do not know when I will take my last heartbeat. So it seems reasonable to give this some good old discipline, practice, and be both patient and gentle with myself. I plan on carrying it when I ride the bicycle along the trails, stopping when I find a secluded area and play. My hope is for the flute to be another tool on this spiritual journey I’m traveling.

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  • natural areas,  reflections

    Connecting through communicating

    March 21, 2025

    I have come to realize how poor a communicator I have been in the past. How well I may think I have expressed a thought is always limited and I need to accept that fact. How well I think I have listened and understood is always going to be limited and I need to accept that fact. In my experience learning to communicate in these later years of my life has been a wonderful adventure. I find it enjoyable to converse with someone who is also willing and open to learning the craft of communications. It is at these times we connect, come to understand each other and find our differences may be gifts rather than obstacles.

    Cattails along the edge of Big Bass pond at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    “Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish.”

    Hermann Hesse
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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    It is within each of us…

    March 19, 2025
    Sunset at Running Deer Natural Area

    The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that its center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

    Black Elk
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  • bicycling,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Growing through life’s challenges…

    March 18, 2025
    Predawn light over campus on my bicycle ride to coffee

    You have countless opportunities to grow through life’s challenges—in other words, to become an ever more fully, deeply human human being. This is the meaning of the Yiddish word mensch. Someone whose humanity shines through the darkness of this world. Someone who believes in the fundamental goodness of life and embodies it. Not despite challenging experiences, but as the result of having practiced facing them with courage and kindness.

    Mirabai Starr, Ordinary Mysticism
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