Walking In A Winter Wonderland
A little Sunday drive to Clinton Lake, Lawrence, KS, to take in some fresh country air…
Atchison County, KS Nature Photos – Aug. 22, 2015
Cactus Wren
I spent part of the day Saturday at the McDowell Sonoran Nature Preserve near Scottsdale, AZ. More photos to come. This was my favorite.
Sunday River Trip
The last week has really been amazing. I was a visiting artist Thursday and Friday at an elementary school in Branson, MO, and got to hang out with ~500 amazing kids. Plus, I was in Branson! That in itself is a trip. Ripley’s Believe It or Not.. Branson Landing.. Fun times. Saturday morning was spent about an hour South in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Such a pretty little town. It’s a little overwhelming when all the other tourists show up, but fun nonetheless. Saturday evening I returned home to catch the Leo Kottke concert at the Lied Center. Amazing as expected. Sunday, some friends and I took our kayaks and canoes to the Wakarusa River west of Clinton Lake (which is basically the Wakarusa dammed – and it flows into the Kansas River east of Clinton Lake). We wanted to catch the fall foliage before it fell off. It was totally beautiful and scenic and fun…
Weekend Adventure: Hell Creek on Heels 5k at Wilson Lake State Park
To help celebrate my friend Rudy’s birthday, a few of us packed up our camping gear, running shoes, and birthday candles for the Hell Creek on Heels 5k trail race at the Switchgrass Mountain Biking Trail at Wilson Lake State Park, near Wilson, KS. The race was on Sunday morning, so we spent the day Saturday looking around, frolicking in Wilson Lake, eating, etc. Being a light sleeper, all the night animals kept me entertained most of the sleeping portion of the night Saturday, especially a pack of coyotes that sounded like I could reach out of my tent and pet one.. A little unnerving, but I was more appreciative than worried, all things considered. It was pretty neat. The race started at 8am Saturday and it was certainly unlike any running I’ve done before – through the hills of the park on rocky terrain – lots of climbing up and jumping down and not trying to face plant or twist an ankle on some rock jutting out. The scenery was unbelievable with perfect vistas from every angle and the weather was perfect. I’d have stopped in the middle to photograph the sights had I not been trying to at least not come in last. I managed to come in 4th (women’s category). My friends Rudy and Emily both got 1st place in the men’s & women’s categories, Rudy timing in at the same time as the overall course record holder. Not a bad birthday surprise I’m sure. We ended our adventure in Wilson, KS, at a buffet before heading home..
Country Drive
My summer schedule has pretty much come to an end and now I’m catching up on all my email and a zillion other things that fell to the wayside while I was on the road. One thing I haven’t done in awhile that I used to do ALL the time is get out on some local rural roads with my camera. I didn’t have much time out there and the corn is so high right now that there’s not a whole lot to see past it, but it was a good time nonetheless. 
Cecropia Moth Larva – Nature in my yard
I was sitting on my deck enjoying the cooler temps when I looked over and saw this gargantuan thing crawling (errr, podding?) along on my deck. Its huge – about 5 inches when walking and stretched out. Thanks to my trusty Butterfly & Moth identification guide, I determined that this alien was the larva of the Cecropia Moth.
Star Thought
Star Thought
By Frances Shaw
I SHALL see a star tonight
From a distant mountain height;
From a city you will see
The same star that shines on me.
’Tis not of the firmament
On a solar journey bent;
Fixed it is through time and weather;—
’Tis a thought we hold together.
Colorado…
I’m home after several terrific days in Colorado. Thanks to the kind folks of Boulder for a great weekend at OpenArts Fest. Here’s a few pics from a day spent in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Joy
By Carl Sandburg
LET a joy keep you.
Reach out your hands
And take it when it runs by,
As the Apache dancer
Clutches his woman.
I have seen them
Live long and laugh loud,
Sent on singing, singing,
Smashed to the heart
Under the ribs
With a terrible love.
Joy always,
Joy everywhere—
Let joy kill you!
Keep away from the little deaths.
Afternoon Visitor
