• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  musings,  storm clouds,  writing/reading

    A Portrait of Nature

    August 6, 2023

    Nature is a mirror in which I am reflected, because by rescuing this land from sad devastation [through recreating it in photographs], I am in fact trying to save myself from my own inner sadness.

    Mario Giacomelli

    This quote hits a sensitive spot because I am a witness to the sad devastation of nature. While out photographing the cloud formations during the afternoon thunderstorms this past week, I began reflecting on all the places I have photographed over the years which were free of signs of man’s intrusion. Sadly, I have been a witness to many of those scenes which no longer exist. Later, while studying this image I felt a feeling of inner sadness that someday this scene may be a housing development or warehouse or whatever. So, there is a stirring within me as the photographer Mario Giacomelli suggests, to seek out more portraits of Nature. She is so beautiful and as an artist she continues to create more beauty, while we destroy what she creates! And, I believe she is willing to have her portrait taken.

    I had never heard of Mario Giacomelli before. One reason is because the raw expressiveness of his images are not appealing to my style of photography. However, I will suggest this link for you read a bit about him and his photography. Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    While the city still sleeps…

    July 23, 2023

    The God of creation goes on creating us.

    Joan Chittister

    I awoke early this morning, way too early. Unable to go back to sleep I made a pour over then headed to Pineridge Natural Area. I would spend the next hour and a half in this sacred place while the city still sleeps. A couple of baby cottontails dashed across the road when I pulled into the parking area. After parking the car I could see the silhouette of bats darting in the dim light feasting on insects. A croaking frog belted out from the shallows of the reservoir. The meadowlarks now share their songs of joy. I had maybe an hour before sunrise so I moved to the north end of Dixon Reservoir because nature was gathering a few clouds in the northern sky. After taking a few predawn images I moved to a spot along Dixon Canyon Road and set up my camera looking out over the reservoir where I wanted to watch and photograph the sunrise. As I left this sanctuary an hour later the clouds had filled the sky and the beauty of the new day’s sunrise was more than I expected. This is one of the predawn images and I will post one of the sunrise images later. Next I had a wonderful conversation with Dan and an Old Town mocha latte at Mugs coffee shop. It has been a lovely morning but I do believe there will be a power nap later today. May you have a fabulous day!

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  • clouds,  haiku,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  poetry,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    the twilight hours

    July 7, 2023

    a predawn pink sky
    silence just before sunrise
    these twilight hours

    mws

    My morning began with quiet time of prayer and meditation followed by a drive to Pineridge Natural Area. I enjoy being a part of these divine hours. Seeing the predawn pink colors along the eastern horizon brought on a smile and a bit of giddiness. And, the coolness of the light breeze was invigorating to all my physical senses. Meadowlarks and Robins contributed their morning song enhancing the moment and this sacred place. I found myself smiling again. Taking a deep breath I felt within the gratitude to be alive and the experience of these twilight hours. Hope you had a good Friday!

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  • flowers,  musings,  Plants,  quotes,  writing/reading

    A life-giving act

    July 2, 2023
    White Prickly Poppy

    Listening is always a life giving act.

    Joan Chittister

    I’ve learned that when positioning my next words in a conversation I am no longer listening. I’ve proven that too many times. I’ve also seen in the eyes of another when they are no longer listening. I have also experienced the gift of fully listening to another as well as knowing the gift of being listened to. Seems that those life giving conversations happen when both are experienced by both. My reflection and journaling on her quote have lead me to see other areas in my life where listening is important such as prayer, or when an author or poet expresses in words what I needed to hear, or a bird’s song of joy, or the whisper/howling of the wind, or the words written in the pages of my journal or the knowing voice deep within. I agree that every moment of listening is a life-giving act for both parties. Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

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  • Dewdrops,  Plants

    The beauty in small things

    June 3, 2023

    Met Eric for coffee and conversation this morning, both were excellent. The rain/mist we’ve had all morning seems to have drawn people to the coffee shop. Baristas were busy and the din was up from normal. Good thing for the owners but does reduce the ability to hear. It’s also one of those days to take the time and notice the beauty in small things all around us. Hope you have a great day!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    This morning’s walk

    April 18, 2023

    I took an enjoyable walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this morning. The clouds were drifting along with the wind, always changing, seemingly asking which shape appealed to me the most. A couple of red-tailed hawks effortlessly soared on the invisible wind currents above me. I found myself surrounded by a half dozen meadowlarks sitting atop fence posts or rabbit-brush as if calling for my attention. A noisy magpie seemed to want my attention, also. I felt important. So, I gave them each my attention and began a conversation with them. It caused me to remember the older man who walked the city streets talking to himself when I was younger. I thought he was crazy. Now, I walk nature trails while having conversations with nature and I’m not concerned with what people may think. And, I know longer consider the old man to be crazy. 🤪 In this image you can see the meadow beginning to green up, as are the two pastures on either side of me.

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  seasons,  snow,  winter scenes

    A quote, a bit of snow and a scone

    April 4, 2023
    This is Howes Street just off the CSU Oval. Roads were very slushy this morning.

    Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

    Brené Brown

    This past weekend we had two days of 60 degrees and sunshine while this morning we have 24 degrees and two inches of snow. It’s still falling. However, it is a wet spring snow so plenty of much needed moisture with it.

    Coffee of choice, scones and conversation

    I had coffee and conversation with David this morning at one of our favorite coffee shops. Of course with the snow and cold the scones were mandatory. David is from Copenhagen which is a bicycle friendly city and where cars have a much smaller footprint on people’s lifestyles. So as usual, David rode his bicycle to the shop.

    Scene near Overland Trail
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