Riverbend Ponds Natural Area at Sunset

Earlier in the day I took some pictures in the back yard and then went to knit at Lambspun. 

 

When I left there I drove over to Riverbend Ponds to see if I could get some sunset pictures.  Much to my disappointment the clouds didn't turn a beautiful golden, pink or red color.  

This is what I managed to get at Trout Pond and closer to the Cache la Poudre River. 

 

Golden Hour at Horsetooth Reservoir

My Meetup Group "NoCo Amateur Photography" met at the Northern Boat Ramp of Horsetooth Reservoir at the 'Golden Hour'.  

 
 
This is the time just as the sun is setting (or after it rises) and the light makes everything softer and redder.  Almost everyone was prepared with their tripods, except I didn't bring mine.  I took pictures of the lake with shadows, the kayak that put out form the boat ramp and the sun disappearing behind the foothills.

This morning I took this picture of my pussy willow blooms.

My Yard in February

Exploring the yard today for photo taking ideas has resulted in these pictures.

  
With the unusually warm weather my grape hyacinth has come up in the front yard.

Fallen nest in the flower bed.



Chinese Elm bark on the tree in the back yard.

 Dried catalpa leave in the front yard.

 Dried poppy plant next to the back fence.

Chinese Elm tree branch.

Shadows

I noticed the shadow of the tree on the brick wall as I parked this morning and was inspired to take shadow pictures today.

 The tree shadow was too good to miss.

 Another shot with part of the tree in the picture.

 On the other side of the building this tree looks almost like a burned patch on the grass.

I caught my own shadow as well. Makes me thing of the old song Me and My Shadow.

My shadow on the rocks - large and small.

Before and After Yoga Class

Today I took some pictures at the Senior Center before Yoga and then went to the Gardens at Spring Creek to take some more.

 Copper Sculpture next to the Sequoia at the Gardens at Spring Creek.

 The Canadian Geese were spooked by me following them, so I stayed back and tried getting them with other points of interest.

   I didn't read the label to find out what this is.

 One of my attempts to get closer to the geese.

 The sun was beginning to set so I was trying for the color. 

 

Bittersweet.

Sunset clouds at the corner of Laurel and Colorado St.

Environmental Learning Center

 I visited the Environmental Learning Center today to take a few pictures.   The bridge is not far from the parking lot and leads to several trails that go to the Cache La Poudre River.

 I stopped to check out these feathers next to the trail.

Calm morning, Windblown Afternoon

 My 365 Photo of the Day

 












This morning the wind was down to 8 mph as I drove over to the My Funny Valentine Market at Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House.  After buying one card and a small basket dyed with plant materials, I went out to take a picture of the bike rack and clouds.  I do enjoy the way clouds form and move.

 In the afternoon I went hunting more clouds.  The wind was much stronger and the few drops of rain that had been on my windshield began to come down more frequently.  I covered my lens, pushed my camera into my rain jacket and zipped up as I walked into the wind to my car.