“The soil under the grass is dreaming of a young forest, and under the pavement the soil is dreaming of grass.”
Wendell Berry
I am grateful for the natural areas and the city of Fort Collins for setting aside these areas. They protect nature from those who want to profit from them and destroy the dreams of the soil. Because it was a beautiful day of blue sky and sunshine, I spent some time at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this afternoon and journaled. I thought about people who know nothing but the asphalt, concrete and noise of big cities. For them to be present to the silence of the sunrise above or to look out over a vast horizon, could be startling if not frightening to them. So, this evening I’m aware of how lucky, blessed, and grateful I am to have these sanctuaries to experience. I will end with words written in my journal today: No asphalt here…
After my quiet time I noticed the eastern horizon had a nice lovely pink glow as I looked out my bedroom window. Excitedly I made a mad dash to Pineridge Natural Area. The whole sky was red as I drove up there but had begun to fade and diminish in size by the time I set up my camera. Seemed like nature was excited that it was Valentine’s Day and put on quite the show. What a gift it is to live as close as I do to these sanctuaries. Even though I caught the tail end of the morning show, I was tickled pink with what I was able to witness and photograph.
Reflections
Later in the afternoon I was struck by the beauty of the clouds against the blue sky, so it only seemed natural to make my way to Arapaho Bend Natural Area and taking my camera for a walk. Or maybe the camera took me for a walk. Anyway, I walked the path that meanders between the ponds and the Poudre River, with the ponds on the west and the Poudre River on the east. The trail on the other side of the ponds is a paved trail but I chose the dirt rail. Well those trails were muddy and so were my shoes. But, it was time well spent, good for my soul and the shoes can be cleaned.
By the time I arrived darker clouds had moved in and the sun was now hidden. This image is looking south across one of the ponds. I was drawn to those dark clouds that had drifted in and the soft reflections of the trees in the water. A gentle but cold breeze was blowing across the water’s surface leaving small ripples and adding texture to the image.
Poudre River
This image is along the Poudre River side of the trail and looking north. It was taken about 20 minutes after the second image but in nearly the same location. Interesting how those 20 minutes allows nature to change the lighting and mood of everything and rather quickly.
February is a prime time for eagles to begin nesting, so I was lucky to see two eagles hanging around a nest that I’ve never noticed before. Unfortunately no photo opportunities but now I know where they are. I’ve read that the eagles are beginning to nest in more populated areas. However, I want to respect their space so I’ll give them plenty of room when I return. It would not surprise me if they close off that area if they discover eaglets later. Colorado has relatively mild winters and there are lots of large reservoirs that retain some open water with abundant fish and waterfowl. Grateful I got in some lovin time with nature and got to see the eagles!
To be alive and walk on the Earth is a miracle, and yet most of us are running as if there was some better place to get to. There is beauty calling to us every day, every hour, but we are rarely in a position to listen.
Thich Nhat Hanh
I can easily find myself running, sometimes unaware of the direction I’m running. Often times it’s driven by fear, worry, fatigue, anger, running late, and not surprisingly, influenced by our highly driven society. I have a few of ways to slow down. One is to journal. Another is time in nature. Prayer and meditation time is another. As I think about that I realize they allow me to see more of the beauty in this world. Enjoy your Monday!
In our mediocrity and distraction, we forget that we are privileged to live in a wondrous universe. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything.
This mornings cold predawn sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area
The people who help us grow toward true self offer unconditional love, neither judging us to be deficient nor trying to force us to change but accepting us exactly as we are. And yet this unconditional love does not lead us to rest on our laurels. Instead, it surrounds us with a charged force field that makes us want to grow from the inside out — a force field that is safe enough to take the risks and endure the failures that growth requires.
Parker J. Palmer
All these challenges, obstacles, and bumps that we encounter in life provide opportunities to learn, grow and alter directions in our life. What a gift it is to have people in our lives who accept us where we are and help us grow. My belief in this unconditional love is the hope and inspiration I grasp to continue on rather than wanting to run away. It is also my desire to love unconditionally. Hoping you all have a wonderful day and week!
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer
I have been blessed in my life with more than one experience of feeling unconditionally loved. Some were for short periods of time and others are still blooming. When we feel loved we will return for more and also return the love. The idea of the earth loving us is a stretch for many. But I believe nature is loving me when she creates predawn and sunset shows, or a field of yellow dandelions, or the meadowlark sings to me, or a chickadee responding to my whistle or that mule deer that turns and makes eye contact with me. And, I call that a sacred bond.
I awoke early this morning because it usually takes me a day or two to adjust to the time change. It was a cool 36 degrees as I drove to Pineridge Natural Area. The skies have been intense the past 3-4 days for both sunrises and sunsets. As I stepped out of the car, I could feel the light but cold breeze coming out of the west. You can see the unsettled water as the wind moves across the surface of Dixon Reservoir. And I love the red reflection on the waters surface. When I left my condo I grabbed my gloves but they do not help much when they are left in the car. So, by the time I got back my hands were cold. Note to self. Now filled with gratitude I headed for the Bean Cycle and a mocha. My hands feel normal again. I have a Zoom meeting at 9:30 am today and a second one at 5:30 pm. No, I’m not that important. Sounds like we could be turning cold by the end of the week. May you have a super Awesome day!
