• clouds,  Family,  Fujifilm X-T3,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  storm clouds

    Congratulations Abbie!!

    June 27, 2020
    Storm clouds to the northwest at Reservoir Ridge

    I took this image last night as storms moved through to the north and the south of us bringing heavy rain, lightning and thunder both directions. Surprisingly we stayed dry. Man, I love the beauty of clouds even though there can be a lot of damage from their power. They never stay the same, always changing.

    I have been surprised with all the birthday wishes from  family and friends. This is my 70th year or just over 25,550 days counting leap years. Thanks to everyone! 

    This afternoon I will be heading to my oldest daughters house for a BBQ and celebrate my oldest granddaughters college graduation. She was not able to walk for her graduation from CSU due to the COVID-19 issue. She has worked hard for this, changed her major three times and did the six year plan. Congratulations Abbie!!!!! I love you. ❤️ 

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  prairie

    A Walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    June 8, 2020
    The trail leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    I took a walk at a new natural area called Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. The map at the parking lot told me the loop I took was 2.8 miles. My Fitbit told me 6,551 steps, or 2.9 miles. My research when I got home said there are 9.6 miles of trails within the natural  area. I was blessed with meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, a hummer, swallows and robins offering me music without the need of an ipod. One jogger told he saw a couple of bobolinks.  Impressive fields of prairie grasses like waves across an ocean. I need to research these grasses and other plants I encounter as I have a tendency to look at them and say, “Ah, how pretty,” then move on. The clouds were gorgeous, constantly changing. Shadows falling across the mountains, constantly changing. I was impressed with this natural area and could find it a great place to get in some exercise in nature. There was several large trees throughout the area with one looking like it had a hawks nest with young ones in it. I couldn’t tell for sure without binoculars. I expect you will see more images from this location. 

    Going to meet a friend today for lunch at a local park, if it doesn’t rain. Have a super Awesome Monday!

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  • clouds,  lake,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Time at Prospect Ponds

    May 28, 2020
    Storm clouds at Prospect Ponds last night

    After the nice rain yesterday afternoon I ventured out to Prospect Ponds to check out the clouds. Pulled up in the parking lot and was met with a double rainbow in the east. I stayed a while and walked among the ponds. Watching a young man teaching his girlfriend how to fly fish. Listened to the red-winged blackbirds and watched them catching insects in flight. And, of course fought a useless battle with the mosquitos. I stood ready as storm clouds were building up against the western horizon offering the beauty of nature painting on it’s delightful canvas sky. 

    A double rainbow at Prospect Ponds
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  • clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  poems,  poetic journal,  poetry,  sunrises,  trees,  writing/reading

    Couldn’t Sleep

    May 24, 2020
    Predawn clouds with the morning sun.

    Awoke way too early then struggled to get back to sleep, seem to have more of those nights over the past few years.

    So, I crawled out of bed at 4:00 am, had my quiet time, made a french press then headed to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area; may need a nap later.

    At 5:45 am most people are still wrapped in blankets so it was quiet except for the birds, they always rise early; always in a seemingly good mood.

    The weather people predicted a cloudy day, then rain later, so I took the chance for a sprinkling of clouds in the east; I was awake anyway.

    I like the solitude of my life, living alone, plenty of quiet, yearning to live near a natural area, always one of my daydreams; it could come true.

    Then I’d rise early each morning to greet the sunrise while listening to the free concert and tire you with too many sunrise images; See!

    ms
    Sunrise at Arapaho Bend Natural Area
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  trees

    Much more nurturing

    May 22, 2020

    Morning sunburst through the trees at Red Fox Meadows

    My mornings are a restless time for me. Once I’m up I have my quiet meditation time, my own form of prayer and read from an assortment of different books, then make coffee. But for years there is some part of me that feels like I need to go somewhere. Coffee shops filled that restlessness for many years. Now that those shops are not available my pattern has shifted to more time at the natural areas near me. Some I walk to and some I drive to. I find these to be a calming and peaceful moment and know them to be much more nurturing for my soul than the coffee shops.

    Red Fox Meadows is easy walking distance for me. It has a stream that runs through it, open meadows and a couple of small groves of trees. In one of the groves of trees is a mound of grass that I will sit upon to read and journal. This image is from inside the grove of trees and taken about 10:00 am.

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  • consumer,  grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  shadows,  trees

    Isolation

    May 13, 2020
    Grove of trees in Red Fox Meadows

    Sure dealing with too much isolation over the past few days. Last week when I paid for my mocha at the Human Bean drive through, I actually touched the hands with the barista. Surprised me because it was probably my first physical touch with another human in 5 weeks. Things are not right.

    Way to much consumer shopping on the internet in an attempt  to fix me, and we know that doesn’t work.

    Snacking too much and looking for someone to blame for buying the snacks. Haven’t found him.

    Been walking everyday which helps me stay out of my head, which is a dangerous neighborhood at times. 

    Looking at upgrading my camera since Fujifilm has some sales going on. That won’t make me a better photographer, either.

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