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Parallel Dimension

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These unremarkable little draws on the prairie are wildlife havens, and for some reason a “draw” on my own soul to explore. I could walk a dry creek bed for miles in search of treasures – perhaps an arrowhead, a colorful stone or an antique bottle cap – remnants of eons past, crossing paths with the ancients, a thin place to another dimension. I feel the shift in my own reality. It feels familiar, like I’ve been here before. Feels like home, and I wonder if these trees remember me.

Pawnee Grassland
Crow Valley

Lark Bunting

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Lark Bunting
Colorado State Bird

Flocks of these prairie songbirds used to be more abundant. I’ve heard estimates that their numbers have been reduced by as much as 90%. They are easy to find this time of year in Eastern Colorado. The male lark bunting is the only sparrow that changes from stark black and white feathers during their breeding season, to a grayish brown with small streaks of black and white in the winter. The female has the same beak as the male but you might think you are looking at a common tree sparrow at first glance. The most I saw at one time was 5-6, but I probably saw 75 throughout the late afternoon.

Breeding Male
Female
In flight, showing wing color
Lark Bunting Song

Kept Shining Still

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“Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas still a shining thing; whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith  again.”~Grace Noll Crowell

North Park, Colorado

Inner Fire, Outward Purpose

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“When you know who you are; when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.”
– Chief Seattle, Duwamish

Weld County, Colorado

 

More about Chief Seattle provided to me by my friend Dan Sanley:

The Hudson Bay Company traders gave him the nickname of Le Gros (The Big Guy). He was tall and broad but it was his voice that made him big. He was an orator and when he spoke his voice is said to have carried for ¾ of a mile. His speeches included expressions of love for the environment. It was difficult for Seattle to understand the white man’s attitude toward land, water, air, and animals. I can almost hear the chief pleading with us know across this beautiful landscape captured here by Doug.

Thank you, Dan!

Be the Setting for Their Jewel

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“Be the setting that holds another person up to the light like a precious jewel, letting every facet of who they are sparkle and shine revealing all the colors within their heart…”
― Kate Mullane Robertson

near Rand, Colorado

 

Don’t Fence Me In

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“The wide world is all about you; you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.”
~J.R.R. Tolkien

Washington County, Colorado

Monumental Memories

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“The things we do are like monuments that people build to honour heroes after they’ve died. Your deeds are like your monuments, built with memories instead of with stone.” ― R.J. Palacio

Throwback Feature –
Eastern Colorado

Pay Attention

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“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious, not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.” ― Susan Sontag

Weekend WILD Feature –
One Yellow-Headed Blackbird (top right in tree, with several hundred red wing blackbirds)