Junie's Journal

7/25/2010

2010-07-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lots of pelicans on Bear lake today, competing with the fishermen.

7/23/2010

2010-07-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

About to have our picnic breakfast at Mountain View overlooking Bear Lake

07/13/10

2010-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Our morning picnic fruit salad at Mountain View. All the picnic sites have potable water on tap plus the usual rest rooms. Very well organised.

07/06/2010

2010-07-19T19:23:00.000-07:00

Spent the day up at Tabernash with Pem and Joanne. This shot taken by Pem during our picnic lunch.

07/03/2010

2010-07-19T19:18:00.001-07:00

This fish washing and cleaning station at the Bear Lake fishing harbor

07/02/2010

2010-07-19T19:14:00.001-07:00

Rear view of big Peter on his little bike

06/30/2010

2010-07-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Took these shots on our bike ride today. Usual camera

06/29/2010

2010-07-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

Our flower boxes are doing well as can be seen in these two shots. Lumix with the 45-200mm lens

06/28/10

2010-06-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

Back on our bikes again this morning, for our morning ride. Quite a few fishermen out in their boats on Bear Lake. On our ride back to Skunk Hollow, spotted this coyote. Usual camera

06/27/10

2010-06-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

Went fishing with Sally and Kevin this afternoon. Afternoon storm sent us back into the car so went over to the Blue Cow for dinner. After dinner, the storm cleared and a beautiful rainbow appeared. Back at Bear Creek Lake, Kevin organized our fishing rods and after a few casting lessons, we started fishing along the shore while we watched a beautiful sunset. Wer'nt successful at catching any fish, but still thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Sorry that I left my camera in the car, so I missed a shot of the sunset.

06/26/10

2010-06-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

This morning, we met up with Pat and Caitlin to take them for for a bike ride along Bear Creek trail. Pat has a new three wheeler which she had not yet ridden. Unfortunately we found that the bike was unridable so we had to leave Pat at Stone House while we took Caitlin for a ride along the trail. After the ride we retired to Starbucks for a latte. Usual Camera

06/25/10

2010-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Back on our bikes again today. Quite a strong breeze today so all the wind surfers were out on Big Soda Lake this morning. Usual camera

06/24/10

2010-06-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

Instead of our bike ride today, we went for a walk along Bear Creek trail, starting off from the Stone House. I love our shadows on the pathway. Quite a few more wild flowers are now in bloom. Usual camera

06/23/10

2010-06-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

On our ride round Bear Lake this morning, saw this deer with fawn. Unfortunately it was so small that it was easily hidden by the long grass. Usual camera.

06/22/10

2010-06-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Missed our bike ride yesterday, but went for a walk along the Bear Lake dam wall this morning. The wall is essentially a flood protection wall and is designed for a 1 in 100 year flood protection after the disasterous 1928 floods that almost washed Denver away. This view of Mountain View picnic site from the top of the wall. Usual camera

06/20/10

2010-06-27T16:05:00.001-07:00

Had lunch with Debbie and Mark Meier after church today, Sat on their deck and watched this hummingbird at the feeder, usual camera.

06/19/10

2010-06-19T15:34:00.001-07:00

Being Saturday and expecting a lot of activity at Bear Lake, we made an early start on our bike ride. Stopped at "Junie's Lake" for our usual picnic breakfast. Our friends, the four ducks (female Mallards) still paddling around together. They came over to say Hi and then settled down on the small island. Usual camera

06/18/10

2010-06-19T15:30:00.001-07:00

On our ride round Bear Lake this morning, took this shot of these two fishermen. Usual camera.

06/16/10

2010-06-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Usual camera and lens. Wind surfer on Big Soda Lake and little Tree Swallow

06/15/10

2010-06-15T20:07:00.001-07:00

Bear Lake almost completely covered in Yellow Sweet Clover. Lumix $5-200 @ 45

06/13/10

2010-06-15T19:58:00.001-07:00

Supper at the Kasbah Moroccon Restaurant, Lumix +45-200mm at 45mm + flash

06/10/10

2010-06-15T19:54:00.001-07:00

Lumix +45-200mm Bear Lake

06/09/10

2010-06-15T19:46:00.001-07:00

Lumix + 45-200mm lens

06/08/10

2010-06-15T19:43:00.001-07:00

Lumix +45-200mm @ 200

06/07/10

2010-06-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

So far this has been the hottest day this summer. Shot this baby squirrel on our neighbor's deck. Our peonies have suddenly burst into bloom. Going to be a good show this year. Usual camera and lens

06/04/10

2010-06-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

Another walk at Bear Lake today, around Big Soda Lake. Usual camera and lens

06/02/10

2010-06-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Went for a walk today instead of our usual bike ride. More wild flowers are starting to appear

06/01/10

2010-06-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

Had lunch at Blue Cow and then took this shot of flags on the road into Morrison. Lumix + 45-200mm at 200mm

05/31/10

2010-05-31T18:56:00.001-07:00

Went out early today to get ahead of the Memorial Day crowds. Had our picnic breakfast at "Junie's Lake" with the usual bunch of Canada Geese and our 4 ducks that we have not yet positively identified. Saw a broken goose egg on the shore and the goose nest on the small island now seems to be devoid of eggs so we assumed that the egg may have come from the nest. Only problem is how the egg got from the island to the shore. Maybe a hawk was responsible. Used my Lumix with the 45-200mm zoom.

05/28/10

2010-05-28T19:03:00.001-07:00

Our bike ride today took us up to the Chatfield Dam wall where I got this shot of these wild flowers. Usual camera with 45-200mm lens, lens at 200mm

05/27/10

2010-05-27T18:48:00.001-07:00

Rode around Bear Lake again this morning and had our picnic breakfast at "Junie's Lake". On our return photographed this little clump of wild floewrs. Next to them was this prickly thistle. I was fascinated by the pattern.

05/26/10

2010-05-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Had our breakfast picnic at the Stone House, this morning, after an easy bike ride up to Fox Hollow Golf Course. Used my Lumix + 45 to 200mm lens at 200mm to get this shot of a Night Heron

05/25/10

2010-05-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

A nice day today. Still a slight breeze around Bear Lake. Had breakfast at our quiet little lake off Turkey Creek. Not too sure of these ducks swimming around the lake. Usual camera with lens at 200mm

05/24/10

2010-05-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Thought that it was reasonably calm after the high winds of the past few days so we took our bikes out to Bear Lake. However had not got very far when the winds started up again. Borrowed the M9 for this shot of some long grasses waving in the wind

05/23/10

2010-05-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today being Sunday we went to the early service and then helped the ladies of the church pack tuck boxes for the troops. Went for a walk around the neighborhood in the afternoon. Some rural properties just down the road with horses and barns. Usual camera with lens at 200mm

05/22/10

2010-05-25T19:45:00.001-07:00

Very windy day, so much so that there was no chance for a ride today. This shot from yesterday at "Junie's Lake". Usual camera and lens

05/21/10

2010-05-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

Got this shot of some horse riders at Bear Lake. Usual camera and lens

05/20/10

2010-05-20T19:51:00.001-07:00

On our ride today, decided to have our picnic breakfast at a little lake just off Turkey Creek. These shots with my Lumix and 45-200 lens of sone of the bird life that wanted to join us.

05/19/10

2010-05-19T20:29:00.001-07:00

Packed a picnic breakfast this morning. Had a bike ride around Bear Lake, saw these deer near Skunk Hollow where we had our fruit salad for breakfast. Shot with the Lumis and 45-200mm lens

05/18/10

2010-05-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Spent the afternoon planting our potted plant. Picture taken with the M9

05/17/10

2010-05-17T20:59:00.001-07:00

Lovely spring day today. Had picnic breakfast at Skunk Hollow after ride down to the boat launch on Bear Lake. On the way, stopped to check out the Red Tailed Hawk nest. While we were looking at the nest with our bino's we saw the male hawk fly up to the nest with what looked like a small snake. After our picnic we rode up to Big Soda Lake. On the way we came across another Red Tailed Hawk catching a snake. He then settled down on top of a power pole and we watched him eating the snake which at one stage had twisted itself around one of the hawk's legs.. Lumix with lens at 200mm

05/16/10

2010-05-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Being Sunday and the first nice day we have had for several weeks, a lot of people enjoying Bear Lake, picnicking, fishing and sailing. Lumix with 45-200mm lens

05/15/10

2010-05-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Decided to get out early this morning as the forecast was for midday showers. Got this shot of a cormorant on Soda Lake busy fishing. Usual camera with lens at 200mm

05/14/10

2010-05-14T20:12:00.001-07:00

Had a walk today along Bear Creek

05/13/10

2010-05-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Lone fisherman. Used my Lumix with lens at 200mm

05/12/10

2010-05-14T20:06:00.001-07:00

More wild flowers

05/11/10

2010-05-14T20:03:00.001-07:00

Interesting wild flower. Usual camera

05/10/10

2010-05-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

Cherry blossoms along Bear Creek. Usual camera

05/09/10

2010-05-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

Our neighbor's umbrella, not a giant flower. Lumix plus 45-200 lens

05/08/10

2010-05-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

This Lilac bloom on a bush near our unit. Lumix plus 45-200 lens

05/07/10

2010-05-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Loved these canoes at Soda Lake. Usual camera

05/06/10

2010-05-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

The big stinks checking our bike tires before our ride today. Usual camera

05/05/10

2010-05-05T19:19:00.001-07:00

Walked along the Bear Creek trail to Bear Lake. The Pelicans have arrived for the summer. Also got this shot of a Night Heron which is the first this season. Usual camera with lens at 200mm. Both images then cropped further

05/04/10

2010-05-04T19:41:00.001-07:00

Thought that we would take our breakfast to Bear Creek Lake this morning. Almost got blown away but managed to find a sheltered spot. Took this shot with Peter's M9 of our shadows while hanging on to our hats.

05/03/10

2010-05-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

Took this shot of one of our neighbors with his little dog. Lumix with 45-200mm at 200mm plus cropping.

05/02/10

2010-05-02T19:14:00.001-07:00

Thought that the colors of this papaya with its shiny pips was interesting. Usual Camera and lens

05/01/10

2010-05-02T19:09:00.001-07:00

Visited Sally and Kevin up in Erie to see their new bathroom. Very nice and what a difference. Took this shot of daffodils band tulips in their front garden. Usual camera

04/30/10

2010-05-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of not riding our bikes because of my back, felt well enough today to take the bikes out again. Went for an easy ride along BearCreek Trail starting from Stone House and riding East to a picnic site near 285 and Sheridan. Can't remember when we last saw Bear Creek with so much water as seen in this shot. Usual camera with 45-200 at 45mm

04/28/10

2010-04-28T20:54:00.001-07:00

A beautiful day although quite windy. Went for a walk this afternoon as it was too windy to ride our bikes. Decided to check out the Bear Creek trail owl family who all seemed to be doing well. Came across this turtle that had left the creek and was trying cross the trail. Then this Grey Heron landed on the edge of the lake right next to us. Lumix plus 45-200 lens

04/27/10

2010-04-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

A lot of trees in blossom in our neighborhood, a sure sign of spring at last although the weather forcasts another cold spell for Thursday. Usual camera and lens

04/26/10

2010-04-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

With the sunshine today, could not resist these bright pansies. Usual Camera and lens

04/25/10

2010-04-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Having visited the owl nest near Stone House on Bear Creek Trail yesterday, we were told by a photographer of another owl nest near the intersection of old Kipling Rd and Bear Creek, so today we decided to take a walk in the area to try to find it. Found the nest and the male owl in a cottonwood just next to the nest. Not sure how many babies were in the nest but one was sitting up for all the world to see. Usual camera with lens at 200mm plus cropping. On way back to the car, spotted this large raptor in a tree. This shot taken from as close as we could get to it with a lot of cropping. As best as we can determine this looks like a Swainson's Hawk

04/24/10

2010-04-24T19:37:00.001-07:00

Weather cleared up this afternoon so we decided to head for Bear Creek trail to check up on the owl nest, All OK, also saw Mr Owl in a cottonwood nearby. Usual camers at full 200mm, with images cropped, f5.6, 1/60 & 1/500

04/23/10

2010-04-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Just to remind us that spring has not quite arrived-sudden return to winter today with about 1" of snow and almost blizzard conditions

04/22/10

2010-04-23T19:45:00.001-07:00

Guess who-this is the usual when watching TV. What can I say?

04/22/10

2010-04-22T21:00:00.001-07:00

04/21/10

2010-04-22T20:56:00.001-07:00

Some signs of spring in our little garden Usual camera f5.6, 1/30

04/20/10

2010-04-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Managed a short walk around Skunk Hollow today. Still having a problem with my back. Used Peter's M9 plus 25mm Zeiss for this shot of Bear Creek which is now flowing quite full from all the snow melt. f8; 1/90

04/19/10

2010-04-20T20:46:00.001-07:00

Dummy picture-Because of my sore back and visit to our GP, did not manage any Pictures of the Day

04/18/10

2010-04-18T17:49:00.001-07:00

Usual camera and lens. Tripod mounted, lens at 200mm. I was intrigued by the reflection in my knife and fork at lunch today.

04/17/10

2010-04-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Usual camera and lens-daffodils at the entrance to our complex

04/16/10

2010-04-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Fisherman on Bear Creek, Usual camera, f6.3, 1/100

04/15/10

2010-04-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Cyclist-I loved the contrast of his outfit against the bright blue Colorado sky, Usual camera, f6.3, 1/640

04/14/10

2010-04-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Mountain bike riders at Bear Creek. Usual camera. f6.3, 1/250s

04/13/10

2010-04-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here is my sheik. Had to visit Social Security yesterday to register our change of status. Were told that Peter's place of birth had been incorrectly registered as Saudi Arabia instead of South Africa. Peter was disgusted but I had a lot of fun teasing him about being my arab, Here he is with his arab headdress. Usual camera f6.3 at 1/32

04/12/10

2010-04-13T19:19:00.001-07:00

At Bear Lake. Usual camera, 45-200mm lens at 200mm plus cropping f6.3, 1/160

04/11/10

2010-04-11T20:12:00.001-07:00

Shot of a little perfume bottle at f6.3, 1/15

04/10/10

2010-04-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Saw these deer on our ride today, usual camera

04/09/10

2010-04-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

These daffodils are at the entrance to our complex

04/08/10

2010-04-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

Saw these Elk in Bear Lake Park today f5.6, 1/50. Peter had a shopping expedition to REI while I was at my church ladies Tuesday morning. Bought these smart carrier bags for our bikes which color match our helmets. f5.6, 1/1640. Both shots with usual camera and lens, except for the elk shot I had a 1.7x tele extender on the lens. This gave me an effective focal length in 35mm terms of 680mm

2010-04-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

04/07/10

2010-04-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

After the overnight snow we were surprised at how quickly the snow melted and the day warmed up. Decided to go for a walk at Bear Lake and also to see if we sould identify the bird nesting on the large magpie nest. Walked up the hill on the north side of the road and got our shoes full of clay, felt like walking on 3 inch soles. Shot of Peter's shoes, usual camera 45-200 lens at 45mm,f5.6, 1/250. The nest shot, severely cropped, 200mm, f5.6, 1/1000. still can't identify the bird, probably a red tailed hawk,

04/06/10

2010-04-06T19:46:00.001-07:00

The Easter Bunny, f6.3 at 1.1.3, on tripod, usual camera

04/05/10

2010-04-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Camera Lumix + 45-200 lens at 45, f6.3, 1/60. These shots of the Honda headlights. I was fascinated by the reflections

04/04/10

2010-04-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Quite a few campers in the Bear Creek campground. This yurt which the parks had just erected in preparation for the camping season, not yet occupied, Lumix 45-200 at 45, f7.1, 1/200

04/03/10

2010-04-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

Our neighbor's cats. Lumix + 45-200mm at 150mm, f7.1, 1/200

04/02/10

2010-04-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

On our walk along Bear Creek this morning we disturbed this Blue Heron, f5.6, 1/200, usual camera 45-200mm lens at 200mm

04/01/10

2010-04-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

We ride past this barn with its hay bales. Lumix with 45-200mm at 200mm, f6.3, 1/250

03/31/10

2010-03-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

This meadow lark was singing his little head off this morning. Usual camera with 45-200mm lens at 200mm, f6.3, 1/400, cropped down to 8x

03/30/10

2010-03-30T18:10:00.001-07:00

During our bike ride today around Bear Lake, took these shots of these fishermen, On the bank at f5.6, 1/640, in the boat f5.6, 1/640. Lumix with 45-200mm lens.

03/29/10

2010-03-29T20:54:00.001-07:00

Saw this blue heron in Bear Creek this morning. Usual camera at 200mm, f5.6, 1/160

03/28/10

2010-03-28T20:01:00.001-07:00

Had a walk around our complex this afternoon, these crocuses caught my eye, usual camera and lens, f9 at 1/500

03/27/10

2010-03-28T19:55:00.001-07:00

Our Lesotho hat (I thought this was my hat, but Peter thought that it was his, however as neither of us have ever worn it, neither could really lay claim to it) Shot with my Lumix plus 45-200mm lens at f9.0, 1/25

03/25/10

2010-03-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

Got in a quick ride at Bear Lake this morning, before the next forecasted winter storm moves in. Interesting glove, forlornly waiting for its owner to find it, however been hanging here for a few days. Usual camera, f8, 1/320.

03/25/10

2010-03-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Lovely day, temperatures around 48 deg f, warming up after our most recent snow storm. Still quite a lot of ice on Bear Lake to provide a landing for these inland gulls. Shot with my usual camera, lens at 200mm, f5.6, 1/2000

03/24/10

2010-03-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

After yesterdays big storm, took this shot from our bedroom window, usual camera, f8.0,1/640, ISO 100

03/23/10

2010-03-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

Usual Camera, f8, 1/60

03/22/10

2010-03-22T18:59:00.001-07:00

Bike ride down to the harbor area to check out the owl nest. All seems well. Saw these horse riders. Usual camera + 45-200mm at 200mm, f5.6 1/800

03/21/10

2010-03-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

On our ride today around Bear Lake, saw two coyotes. Although quite a long way away, still managed to get remarkable detail by cropping the image to the equivalent of about a 10x magnification. Usual camera with the 45-200mm lens, all shots at 200mm, f5.6, 1/4000

03/20/10

2010-03-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

A beautiful Colorado day-blue blue sky with about 8" snow still on the ground from yesterday's snow storm. Had a 3 mile walk around Bear Creek and our usual picnic lunch. Photo of reflections in Soda Lake f8.0 @ 1/2000. Our bikes and snowshoes in the back of the Suzuki f6.3 @ 1/80, Ice on this grill reminded me of macaroni, f9 @ 1/800, all Iso 125 and shot with the Lumix + 45-200 lens.