• clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  sunsets

    I missed them…

    July 8, 2020
    Sun breaking through the clouds at Reservoir Ridge in the late afternoon 

    My sister and I returned yesterday afternoon from Seattle. We had a great time, always good to see and laugh with family. I saw nephews and nieces I haven’t seen in years. I missed them. As always we ate and we ate and we… However, we did get in some good long walks along the Burke-Gilman Trail that goes for almost 19 miles around Lake Washington. And, no, I only walked about 5 miles of it each day. We had a great time and will share more with you in a later post.

    It was toasty when we arrived, reaching 98 degrees around 4:30 yesterday afternoon. I unpacked, ate a sandwich, bought groceries and had some quiet time. About 6:30 I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to sit in the shade of the pine trees. There is a group of about 20 trees where I will sit in a folding camp chair near the parking lot. I will then write, read and get my much needed dose of nature. Think my meadowlarks missed me as much as I missed them. It was good to hear them sing.

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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  landscape,  Software,  storm clouds

    Passing Storm

    June 25, 2020

    Passing storm at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    This image was taken last night as a nice rain storm was developing in the west. I could see the rain falling in the foothills so I drove out to the natural area. This allowed me to participate in the storm as it built up with wind, lightning, thunder and then the gentle rain. The image is a raw file using Adobe Landscape profile in Lightroom Classic. 

    I’m pleased with how solid the camera feels in my hands. The size and build are the draw even though there is a small weight increase. Also impressed with how snappy and quiet it can focus, which I would expect. The joystick is a joy!! I was pretty sure that it was going to be something I’d like. 

    I must admit I was overwhelmed when I first started reading the manual, even questioning my decision. There seemed so much to learn. I could not believe all the information provided in the viewfinder, to the point of almost forgetting to look at the subject when I first used it. But that has quickly died down by practicing with it. It will become second nature.

    I’ve only shot with raw files so still need to look at the jpeg files. The raw files are Huge! I’ve gone from about 30 meg to 50 meg, an increase of 30%. Glad I upgraded to the 4TB drives a few months ago. I imagine I will be deleting more images because of their size. 

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  prairie,  sunsets

    Another Sunset

    May 10, 2020
    Tonight’s sunset

    “We desperately need to retrieve our capacity for reverence. Each day that is given to you is full of the shy graciousness of divine tenderness. It is a lovely practice at night to spend a little time while revisiting the invisible sanctuaries of your lived day. Each day is a secret story woven around the radiant heart of wonder. We let our days fall away like empty shells and miss all the treasures.” John O’Donohue 

    Sorry for posting another sunset. I’m almost 70 and for as long as I can remember we  seem to have one every day. Figured I might as well take advantage of them while I can. I just stood in awe and reverence this evening, taking in deep breaths, and grateful I didn’t miss this treasure.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets

    Happy Earth Day

    April 22, 2020

    Mid-afternoon clouds over the Colorado Front Range

    The Indians knew that life was equated with the earth and its resources, that America was a paradise, and they could not comprehend why the intruders from the East were determined to destroy all that was Indian as well as America itself.
    — Dee Brown

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  • clouds,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets,  trees

    Temporary Sojourners

    April 20, 2020
    Sunset on Larimer County Rd. 3

    “We rush through our days in such stress and intensity, as if we were here to stay and the serious project of the world depended on us. We worry and grow anxious; we magnify trivia until they become important enough to control our lives. Yet all the time, we have forgotten that we are but temporary sojourners on the surface of a strange planet spinning slowly in the infinite night of the cosmos.” 

    John O’Donohue

    I broke the stay-at-home orders and headed out of town. Don’t tell anyone. I know how much quieter it is in town with half the traffic but it is even quieter on a dirt road in eastern Larimer County. Meadowlarks were singing their hearts out which made my heart sing. Not sure I have ever photographed these trees before. So, expect more of them.

    I am reading a second book by John O’Donohue called Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong. It is as good as his first one and that’s where this quote comes from. Good night. I’m off to bed.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  poems,  quotes,  rants,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Some questions

    April 8, 2020
    Longs Peak at sunrise seen from Running Deer Nature area

    “I want to sing like the birds sing
    Not worrying about who hears
    Or what they think.”
    Rumi

    I wonder what went through the minds of our ancestors who were physically, mentally and spiritually closer to nature then we are? I ask because I come to these nature areas to find distance from the noise of the city but find my mind is consistently distracted. Were they capable of being more present than I seem to be? I’m aware the more time I spend out here the more present I can be. After a period of settling in, adjusting to this place, I hear, then see, the osprey soaring in the wind drafts, being pursued by a pesky crow. Next I notice a goldfinch that just perched on a bush nearby, singing it’s soft and delicate “swee-eet” song. I watch and am amazed at how quickly the birds can fly from here to there, silently. If you do not know what I write about then spend a morning in a nature area, listen, watch, be present, bring a journal and use it, and please leave your phone at home. Just some questions. 

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