• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  sunsets

    Here we go again…

    August 23, 2020
    Helicopter with bucket heading to the latest fire, the Lewstone Fire

    Yesterday afternoon a new fire began in the Rist Canyon Area. It began as a brush fire and is located about 12 miles from my condo. The above image was taken yesterday evening around 6:40 pm at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, a favorite hangout for me. Here is what that scene normally looks like at sunset. This is in the same vicinity of the High Park fire back in 2012 that burned over 87,000 acres and killed one woman. Needless to say the air quality is horrible at the present moment. We are now getting smoke from our two fires and but also the smoke from California fires are now moving into the area, even reaching as far east as Nebraska. 

    If you look closely in this image you can see the helicopter carrying a bucket of water to the fire. They have brought in firefighters from the Cameron Peak Fire in an attempt to gain control as quickly as possible. But, we are talking about nature which we have no control over. Last report I saw this morning the fire had grown to 140 acres at 11:00 pm last night with 0% containment. 

    The Cameron Peak fire is now over 19,000 acres and at 0% containment. Weather conditions are not good. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90’s the next five days with no precipitation. I’m inside this morning with my door closed because of the smoke. Not burying my head in the sand but trying not to take in any more smoke and soot than necessary. Probably not going to run a marathon today but I will try to get my walk in.

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  • Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF35mm f2.0,  landscape,  rants,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    We do not give up hope

    August 22, 2020
    This morning’s sun wanting to shine through

    Smoke hovers over the city
    The foul smell of smoke, now choking
    The amber color uninviting, otherworldly
    So quiet, birds sing in silence or elsewhere

    Despairing mood in this darkened world
    Close my eyes, pray for a brighter day
    Open my eyes, but nothing changed
    I go for a mocha, stare at blank pages

    I sit in the quiet, seek the light within
    Wishing it will shine on this gloomy day
    Now write words, they keep me in the present
    Even in this blackness we do not give up hope

    ms

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  • lake,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    A Laid Back Kinda Day

    August 19, 2020
    This morning’s sun reflecting off Dixon Reservoir

    Awoke early, had my quiet time, made a french press then drove up to Pineridge Natural Area. Quiet up there and had the place pretty much to myself. The smoke from Cameron Peak Fire is very noticable in this image, especially in the color. The fire is now over 14,000 acres with over 500 firefighters attempting to control mother nature.

    I had some journaling time at the natural area then did a short walk to get the heart rate up. I meet Joe for coffee this morning then cleaning around the condo. It’s gonna be a laid back kinda day. We need days like this.

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  • clouds,  landscape

    Eerie Red Sun

    August 17, 2020
    The sun trying to shine through the smoke and clouds

    This is not the easiest scene to photograph but it’s much easier than trying to fight a forest fire. The sun has been an eerie red color for the past few evenings due to the smoke generated by the Cameron Peak Fire.  I have stopped in my tracks several times to just look at the bright red color of the sun. As of last night the fire had grown to over 12,000 acres and has crossed over Highway 14. Today’s temperature is going to be above 90 again but winds are to be calm, which adds to the heat. The smoke has been strong, causing my eyes to burn, and the smoke on my clothes remind me of campfire days as a young man. This is not the best image to start the week with but it is what it is. Have a great day!

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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas

    Cameron Peak Forest Fire

    August 14, 2020
    Red sun seen through the smoke from the Cameron Peak forest fire last night

    We now have a forest fire about 60 miles west that is affecting us smoke. This was taken last night at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Here is a link to the fire status. This morning we can definitely smell the smoke as it hovers over the city. Sure has an eerie feel to it.

    Sun setting just dropping below the horizon and a billowing cloud of smoke
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  • landscape,  sunsets

    The Fires Burn

    August 28, 2015
    Smoky Sunset at the Prairie House
    Smoky Sunset at the Prairie House

    As the fires rage in the Northwest the smoke drifts to the eastward, we are seeing the effects of these fires along the Colorado Front Range. Our sunrises and sunsets are turning the sun into a red ball. It is pretty to the eye but sad to know what is causing it. My sister and brother-in-law have been traveling in their RV. They say the smoke in Glacier National Park is very heavy. I took this sunset image last week while I was at the Prairie House.

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  • landscape,  mountains

    Not Again

    March 16, 2013
    Horestooth Reservoir

    The above image I took along the east side of Horsetooth Reservoir yesterday evening of the Galena Fire. It is way too early to begin having forest fires, especially after last year. They suspect this was cause by man which makes it even more painful. Let’s hope we do not have the same season as last year. In the lower right portion you can see some of the flames as the flare up.

    Looking North into the Fire

    This image is taken from the south looking north towards the fire. This south end has several homes and the harbor area for the reservoir. As you can see the smoke is drifting to the east and settling on the city of Fort Collins. Everything smells like smoke and we can find ash on our cars in town. Have a super weekend.

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