Saturday, August 6, 2005

SHADES OF NATURE, lush and dry.

Everywhere I looked yesterday my eyes encountered green.  Carp Lake, or the Pelican Pond as I call it, is at its lushest in about 7 years, and the water continues to flow with the almost daily rain.  Gray rain clouds loomed above the pond even as clear skies beckoned from the distance.

Last year the water was low and stagnant.  This year it is brimming with life.  It is hard not to appreciate the abundance of growth and wildlife after so many dry years.

These dry grasses stood out starkly among the green but were beautiful in their own right.

A dead cottonwood tree bears natural graffiti from boring insects.  Insects are still major threats to the forests of Colorado.  Pine forests have been hit hard by infesting beetles which eventually kill their host tree, leaving the tall trees dry and brown, perfect fuel for wild fires often triggered by the frequent lightning strikes, which are another big threat to the woodlands.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yep, I know you speak the truth.  I have seen those brown trees left by the beetles.  Tis such a shame because it is such a beautiful state.  Your pictures are wonderful as usual. :)

Anonymous said...

Again, nice images and especially like the 2nd (we call duck weed) as a pattern shot. The Sword Grass gives it a very nice composition and adds to the pattern by seperating the the floating weed.
Tess

Anonymous said...

beautiful contrasts

~ Julie~ http://journals.aol.com/joolsinwa/randommusingsofmymind

Anonymous said...

I am a huge fan of your blog :) Outstanding images!!!!.
Betty

Anonymous said...

The insect boring in the tree looks like a women's face and hair blowing in the wing to me....cool!  I am also a very big fan of your blog....

Anonymous said...

I am getting some good examples of ponds with Cattail growth.  I have a cottonwood large tree limb down in my front yard from wind that I need to use my little chain saw on when I am feeling better.    mark
http://journals.aol.com/mtrib2/MarksDailyJournal

Anonymous said...

I am so grateful to you for showing me your neck of the woods, as we say. I might need a wheelchair at times now and cannot travel abroad but you bring beautiful things to my doorstep. Thank you my friend. It means so much.
Sylvia x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos
Kate

Anonymous said...

Your pictures are beautiful. You are very gifted. Thank you for sharing them.

Wendy

Anonymous said...

These are BEAUTIFUL!!!! Love the first one, the different shades of vibrant green.
Then the second one is also excellent....& the third....heck, they are all great!
~Marie

Anonymous said...

I am a South Dakota native stuck in Georgia clay...and I SO miss the cottonwoods.  TYTY  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

Good evening.......I have to say that your journal has been a true delight. Your photos are quite beautiful pieces of art. I have enjoyed coming to read your journal every time I come. The photo of this Carp Lake are stunning. I can't wait to visit your journal again.......Thanks for sharing it with your readers which includes me.......

Anonymous said...

absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing sights I would have probably never seen before, or ever.

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