• fog,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  snow,  trees

    Look with open eyes

    April 15, 2023

    “Zen is less the study of doctrine than a set of tools for discovering what can be known when the world is looked at with open eyes.”

    Jane Hirshfield, The Heart of Haiku

    I was surprised to see the dusting of snow and fog this morning. So I took the long-cut to the coffee shop via Stuart Street to visit the cottonwood tree at the Fisher Nature Area Trail. If you look closely you will see a red tailed hawk in the top of the cottonwood. Fog has burned off as blue sky and sunshine make their appearance. Have a wonderful Saturday and look with open eyes!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    Does that make sense?

    July 28, 2022

    “I began to trust the questions themselves to lead me beyond answers to understanding, beyond practice to faith”

    Joan Chittister

    There was a time in my life when I felt lost, confused…looking for answers. I had no desire to get up in the morning and face another day. Thankfully I’ve moved on from that place and time. I’ve discovered the answers are not as important to me anymore, but the questions are. I continue to search out more questions which leads me to some understanding which leads to more questions. I began to trust in just asking the questions. I lost interest in the answers and embraced the understanding needed to ask the next question. Does that make sense?

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  • gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  poems,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  shadows,  sunsets,  trees

    Last Chorus

    June 26, 2022
    Horses graze as the sun sets behind old Cottonwood trees along Overland Trail

    I watch the sun set behind cottonwood trees while
    the blue sky opens to the coming darkness of night.
    The long shadows of the sun stretch over the pasture
    as my feathered friends sing their last chorus of the day.
    I’m filled with gratitude as this day comes to an end
    full of hope for the new day tomorrow.

    ms
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  • grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  snow,  trees

    Mornings Snowfall

    March 7, 2022

    Snow began falling yesterday morning with those big beautiful fluffy snowflakes. The powdery stuff you blow off the car. For some insane reason I decided to hang out in the cold along the foothills between Pineridge Natural Area and Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. First stop was Pineridge Natural Area. Didn’t feel like sitting on the bench but what a view!!

    This is a group of trees just below Pineridge Natural Area. Horsetooth Reservoir and dam are just hidden behind the trees. So often images just do not convey the feeling we are experiencing before us. But, I’ll keep trying.

    This is from the parking lot of Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I was facing a cold 8 mph wind about this time and the snow began picking up. I also slid through a red light on my way to this area. So glad no one was going through the green light. So, after taking this image I headed to the safety and warmth of home.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  trees,  winter scenes

    Cottonwoods

    January 26, 2022
    Cottonwood trees at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.

    Imogen Cunningham

    If you look closely on the right side of the trees you will see the remnants of the Old Straus Cabin. The cabin is located within the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. This cabin is an example of the early log structures. George Strauss built the cabin in 1864 and farmed the land around it, growing vegetables and raising cattle. These trees and the cabin sit right along the banks of the Poudre River.

    Cunningham’s attitude seems like a pretty good approach to improving our photography. Think I’ll give it a try. It was 2 degrees this morning when I left the condo. Now a blue sky and sunshine brightens the day but will see clouds move in later and snow beginning tonight and into tomorrow.

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