Chris Garris, photographer

    I'm fortunate to have a young friend, Chris, whose photography I have always admired so much.  He grew up close to where I have lived for the past 45 years. He currently teaches at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) but he has recently moved up into the mountain range west of Denver.  This year he made some fine images from his new home location. Thanks, Chris, for letting me share them on my blog today.  

    I should add that I was in Denver this past week for a great visit with my son and family. The weather was beautiful the day I wanted to drive out to see Chris. Starting the next day after that , however, he eventually had over a foot of snow! Close call for my being able to visit!  

    BTW, his dear dog is Coleslaw, and the cat is Peanut. These images are from earlier in the season.

 

from inside the house

I suspect this wonderful image must have required a lot of patience!

 THE VIEW:

MOMENTS:

  This last photo shows both playfulness and art --  all while making the best of a momentary hand injury:

    

      Next week it's back to spring in Appalalchia. I hope everyone is able to get the COVID vaccine. I wouldn't have wanted to go on my trip without both of mine.  Please, everyone.

    Chris - if you want to say anything about your photos, please let me know so I can add that to this post or to next week's post.  Thanks for that and for the usual working out of some of my camera questions..!    Ann

water falling, running, or frozen

         I have the idea of going wild about spring this year --- and starting with waterfalls.  This year there's a lot of work to be done to even get to the falls I have shown before, due to the damage caused by the recent ice storm. Getting to see those wild flower treasures we look forward to finding every April may be really hard to manage as well. The clean up priority has to be the nearby fire trail in order to assure access to it if need be. That's why I want to honor the creeks and the falls and the flowers that may be hidden to us this April while nature works to mend itself. I will show flowers in the next weeks.

        First I am going to try to load a vimeo of a creek on a normal day, several years ago. This can take awhile -- even overnight --  but it should work out in the end. I hope you will be able to listen to the water.

         

The creek continues, flowing toward the falls.

 Here's the top ledge of the second waterfall:

summer falls

winter artfulness

the big waterfalls, frozen and fallen

That day we heard the ice crash down just before we got there. Sometimes the top and the bottom touch in the middle!

summer view

        I can't resist leaving the forest's treasured spaces in order to share a long ago happy winter water moment at the pond.  It shows how you can't believe everything concerning water that you see.....

    There are so many more waterfall moods and photos, but these ones give a taste of the joy.

still catching up

         This is my last chance (I hope) to share winter photos that are part of the SIXTEEN DAYS of ice, then snow, then more ice, that we've had.  Most of that time there was with no phone or no electricity because of the amount of territory covered in order to provide repairs.  I'm so glad our electricity is back, though I remain somewhat wary.  There are still trees and limbs ready to fall over wires. In any case, thanks be for all of the hard work across our region that eventually put us back together again. Now there are horrible floods across southern Kentucky.

         Some photos, not all picture perfect, but when the photographer is iced in, every other warm body is fascinating and picturesque.  When I first met this opossum, he or she was badly wounded with an open wound across the back. It looks like it healed, and I wonder if a white back is natural or simply showing the healed area.

If anyone wonders why I don't have my taxes done yet, they can blame the competition and surmise which I find to be more interesting....

By the way, Cardinals are Kentucky's bird.

It was very cold outside, and I assume the puffed up chest had something to do with that.  I don't have camera equipment to do birds, but I enjoy even this much of their presence.

This downy didn't move for many minutes! Did the rare feel of sunshine captivate him?

This is my favorite bird photo from the storm.

        At last I made it back home. This photo is me showing my friend/hostess, before leaving,  how I had found the most comfortable place in the whole house.  Thank you again, Tom and Molly, for 7 days of TLC.  Sorry I won those early Rummy 500 games.  Very rude of me. And sorry I didn't really get to take over your whole house.  Just a lot of it.  My blog is being contrary tonight, or I would add two photos of you making that delicious naan.

Happiness is kind friends laughing with you.

 Happiness is also seeing electricity repair trucks in every driveway when I am almost home:

 

the case for cold

post #527

First, more snow, more fun, more tracks, more vaccines (but still not enough), and more self-examination about what does it all mean!

Well, I can't tell you that, but I can start with some current photos, some by me and some by R and J.

familiar view, with the most recent similar snowfall, Kentucky style

same pond as before, but with the new snow and I'm closer to it

Meanwhile, home schooling: teacher, with virtual students, and student, with virtual teacher... photo by JW (thanks for the good laugh)

 

 

 

recent morning walk  --  celebrating the sun

me and ?

This is my version of a mmail box flag. I've shown it before. The mail carrier told me that if red were showing, she'd know I was mailing something.

tracks

Today, I heard the family -- and even the cats -- couldn't resist the least bit of snow:

closer-up photo of the adventurous cat companions (photos by RW)

    I will try to insert a video, soon, right here, but I'm over-thinking it at the moment, so I'll wait awhile..  If I didn't do a post almost every week, I might forget how even simpler things are done.  

    I won't forget my second vaccine on Friday!  Am thrilled! I am grateful Kentucky has been giving K-12 teachers the vaccine. 

    We need to support those folks not yet able to get a shot by continuing to wear a mask until science says we no longer need to.  How would we know at this stage if other people are not wearing one because they refuse to do so or because they are being a good citizen and taking one for the team. Pandemics are serious stuff. I remember the extreme fear of polio before there was a vaccine for it.  Be safe, keep distancing, and please be hilarious whenever truly possible.

the role of snow and truth seeking

post #525 

    Today, by sharing the beauty of snow, I honor the change of administrations in America. 

     So much that's difficult and dangerous could have happened this past week.  Instead, what traditionally happens -- on January 20th the fourth year after a previous inauguration in the USA -- took place.  The President and Vice President with the most votes, in fact the most ever in any such election, have become our duly elected 46th President and V.P..

      This election was held during a tragic and challenging pandemic. Even so, this year ours was one of the best conducted elections ever.  So many hard working and dedicated people across the land made that happen. Only a man who can't bear to lose, for his own personal inner reasons, could be so distraught as to lie over and over and over to his fellow citizens about the truth of the election's outcome.  Losing happens.

       I see the snow of this season as an image that speaks to me of a covering over of what is past, what willl quietly be feeding new growth, like underground roots.  This provides what's needed in order for there to be new growth in the spring. It actually mirrors what happens in our lives and with our committment to democracy.  This year there may not be vast amounts of snow in Kentucky, where most of my photos are made, but I think the idea of a rite of passage still exists.  I hope these snow photos do convey something about how nature faces the need for renewal. It’s work, but that’s what’s required for the huge rebuiliding task ahead of us.  

 

a visiting Coopers hawk , 2015

goldfinches, in their winter mode, 2015

2015

 

cardinal, the bird of Kentucky, 2015

2015

2015

 

 

 

Even the guest has to work for her keep --- THANK YOU red bird MELVA! (2015)

 

 

        The last two photos are by Rebecca, in February a year ago!

 

    May winter's job work its wonders and do the same for the humans -- who don't always give nature credit for what we can learn by paying attention to it.  

    Stay safe, seek truth, and let's practice being kinder to one another.