A Far View
9/18/2012
“I am too rich already, for my eyes mint gold.”
Mervyn Peake
A horned owl woke me after midnight, late enough that the moon had risen above the ridge and there was light enough to see him.
He speaks to me, now and then, saying in that forceful way of his that I had best not forget who sent him my way. He reminds me that I should not sleep past the time in the morning when the coyote walks across the meadow.
He jolts me from sleep and fortifies my resolve to not let the next day go by without notice.
Around the Bend
This may be why aspens are loved.
As the sun moves toward the other side of the world, the aspens fire up a splendid last hurrah to interrupt an erroneous sense of perpetual summer. And they spark a brief and passionate love affair that is over too soon.
Aspens whisper through the nip of a north wind that suggests a change and they tell me, in that potent way that they do, that I had better stop and look. They remind me that I should not snooze away my days. Because if I am not diligent, they will slip away, unnoticed.
And so, I stop to see.
Study in Contrasts
Quiet Reflection
We can’t help but share the gold we have in Colorado—check out these blog posts for other beautiful views.
Colorado Fall Foliage by lovelivingincolorado
http://lovelivingincolorado.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/colorado-fall-foliage/
A Golden Day…..in Colorado! by Inside Out Cafe
http://margekatherine.com/2012/09/17/a-golden-day-in-colorado/
Surrounded by Eye Candy – A Photo Essay by Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride
http://susielindau.com/2012/09/18/surrounded-by-eye-candy-a-photo-essay/
such beautiful words that ring so true, like a song in the air… that goes well with the owl… and the pictures too are a great delight.
“like a song in the air” is the perfect way to put it ShimonZ
I love your photos and your words!
Thanks so much for the shout out!
You are welcome Susie….plenty of inspiration in the hills right now, right?
Definitely! I can’t wait to get out again!
Nothing around here looks at all like these photos. I enjoy seeing what the rest of the world looks like. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.
You need to come this way and see for yourself. I just went to your blog and realized it was one of those I had lost on my reader when I switched things around so am glad to get caught up with you again
I’d love to get to CO. It’s on the list! Maybe next year.
[Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog-- and the follow. I appreciate it.]
Your words are enough to move a person. When you combine your words with the beauty of Aspen gold …. well, it renders one speechless. Truly, my breath was taken away.
Thank you Lenore Diane. I love this time of year, don’t you?
Yes! Very much!
I am richer for having stopped by today, and not just because of the gold…
That “other” gold is overrated, isn’t it Laurie? Thanks
They remind me that I should not snooze away my days. Because if I am not diligent, they will slip away, unnoticed.
Words to make a soul sigh with relief, these. Thank you, for these and for the images. Mmmm.
Souls need to sigh now and then. Maybe often
I am richer because I have you as a friend!
Beautiful photos!
And I, because of you, javagirl
Once again you have touched me with you breathtaking photographs and poetic words. A stunning post.
I feel very fortunate to be able to take pictures of places that are so breathtaking
. Glad you enjoyed this….thanks.
OH, so beautiful, Bella!
Thank you, Elyse.
Just delicious, thank you.
MJ
That was my pleasure, MJ…..thank you
Wonderful fall colours! The aspen are just starting their journey to gold here too, and while I don’t look forward to winter, it is hard not to love autumn.
Last night I stood on the back deck and admired the stars. A great horned owl hooted a few times.
Isn’t it wonderful how there are so many places in North America where Aspens and Great Horned Owls are a fact of life!
May we both get to live with the aspens and horned owls for a very, very long time
Beautiful thoughts and words. A few of our maples and sumac are starting to turn. But it’s too soon for a display like you have in these photos, and the hard summer probably means a poor showing this year. Ah well, I can also pop back over to this post.
This is an early year for color at elevation…the hot, dry summer hurried things a bit, I think. But didn’t seem to deter from the show
Just beautiful, in every sense.
Thank you so much, momshieb.
Stunning photos, Stacia, and I love your words that went with them. Seeing your beautiful golden aspens makes me excited about going on our trip to New England next month. I’m hoping our timing will be just right to see the leaves in their fall splendor. Is this the week you see Big Al?
Dinner with Big Al tonight
. I have penciled in a trip to New England for next autumn. That will be new country for me and a place I have always wanted to see. Looks so beautiful!
Oh, I do hope you get to New England, Stacia. Before you go, I’ll email you to give you some ideas of what to see, if you want.
Your words…
Your images…
Stunning is all I can say. Stunning.
Thank you Phil……there are some pretty stunning places around and they do inspire
It is such a treat to be surrounded by gold aspens. They usually peak in early Oct so I was thrilled on my hike last week to see them at their peak! So many blessings in our world!!
I would hate to have missed it! We are lucky, aren’t we?
Thank you for sharing your beautiful part of the world with us, Stacia.
Thank you Judith. I so want to see your beautiful part of the world
What beautiful shots – especially the last one with reflections. You are blessed to have such golden surroundings.
Thank you writingfeemail. I am grateful for every opportunity I have to see and enjoy this splendid place
Ah, Autumn – it’s in the air now. I love the smell and look of it and I can even hear it coming. Lovely photos, bella and a lovely tribute to such a wonderful time of year. Do you miss the end of summer or look forward to the quiet of the next seasons?
I always look forward to the change of seasons but I must admit I hang on a little too tightly to summer. Good to see you, snoring dog
Thank you for sharing your beautiful state with us. Fall is on her way. Having been in a classroom for oh so many years from the time I arrived at 6 and left at 4, 5 or 6…I love relishing fall wherever she is.
I can hardly stand to be indoors on a beautiful autumn day. I am glad you get to enjoy them now too, Georgette!
I have never been to Colorado but with such magnificent beauty I now have it on my list!
It is definitely worth a spot on your list, Chris
Beautiful! I am waiting for the colours to look like this here. My words could not match yours but we have some pretty spectacular fall colours.
We are earlier than usual here, but pretty as usual
. I hope you get a chance to really enjoy your fall show there, Michelle.
Your photography and prose are stellar as always Stacia. Love this. I hope to see the Aspens myself some day. Thanks for the links too!
b
Thank you b!
The aspens are lovely, almost competing with the sun in brightness.
When the sun shines through the aspens under that sapphire blue sky, there is a gorgeous gold glow that is quite dreamy
Love these photos Bella. But I am dismayed to say I did not see any beautiful trees like this when I visited the Denver area last October. Where do I need to go to see foliage like this?
October is often too late. And you need to get to the higher elevations where aspens are massed…..you must leave the city and the foothills behind and get to higher and more remote areas, some of which are within an hour or so of Denver. A couple of beautiful drives close to Denver are Guanella Pass and the Peak to Peak highway. There are fabulous places all over the state (Million Dollar Highway, Silver Thread, Independence Pass). The color starts earliest in the highest elevations and the most northern parts of the state and gradually moves lower and more southward. If you decide to try again, I would love to share other ideas with you.
I’ve always wanted to see Colorado when the trees had leaves, but I’ll settle for your photos for now…
The only time I’ve ever been there in person was March. Lotta white, not much gold…
I bet the color in your part of the world is beautiful now!
You have such a way with words. And thanks for showing me photos from home
I think this is my favorite time of the year here in Colorado. Hope you can visit it soon
Lovely words and beautiful photographs. You can drown in a landscape like that. A very wise owl indeed to get you up to such a sight as that. Even in moonlight it would be breathtaking.
I must thank that wise owl one of these nights. Thanks, countingducks.
Beautiful words to beautiful sights.
Thank you
Sure makes my heart race to see these. Remind me the next time I travel through the Rockies to borrow your camera. It works so much better than mine.
You have some great shots, Al. But you can borrow my camera next time if you want
Oh boy, I’m suddenly missing my Alberta youth – as I look out at the evergreen of B.C.’s coast. However, I’ll rise with passion in the winter when the rest of my country wrestles with snow shovels.
This is truly a treat for my eyes…panning for gold on the ‘net! (That’s such an apropos quote.)
B.C is gorgeous……….!
Beautiful words, and that photograph of the lake with the reflections on the water and the beautiful light is breathtaking
Thank you countingducks
Beautiful words! We were in Golden Colorado last year where we enjoyed the scenic beauty—and the Coors beer!
Glad you got to visit and have one of our many local brews. Thanks
Wow – that golden foliage is breathtaking!
Beautiful, isn’t it?
I so miss those quaking Aspen leaves. And the scent. Oh the scent of crisp fall and summer. Thanks.
Barb, I’m with you on that—the scent of fall is the best
Colorado looks so enticing. I love the bright blue and golden hues.
My two favorite lines are about the aspens firing up a last hurrah and whispering through the nip of a north wind. You have such a powerful poetic way with words. Your writing and photographs compliment each other beautifully.
Thank you for your always kind words buddhafulkat
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing! And thank you for the follow! Look forward to seeing more!
I nominated you for the Beautiful Blog Award. If you accept, here is the link…
http://spiritualworldtravelerblog.com/2012/09/27/beautiful-blogger-award/
Thank you—your blog is refreshing and joyous too
Pingback: Beautiful Blogger Award! | Spiritual World Traveler
Thank you for your kind recognition
Stunning pics and beautiful words.