Hornbek Homestead

No less striking than the buildings that line the road a few miles south of Colorado’s mountain town Florissant, is the picture of their former owner. Taking into account that photographers in the 19th century asked their subjects not to smile, the portrait of Adeline Hornbek, née Warfield (1833-1905), had always inspired respect, even before … Continue reading Hornbek Homestead

‘Tis The Season

‘Tis The Season... /Es ist die Zeit... … for the days to shorten, and the nights to lengthen… … für kürzere Tage und längere Nächte… … for the summer heat to be replaced by cool days and even cooler nights… … in der die Hitze des Sommers mit kühlen Tagen und noch kühleren Nächten ersetzt … Continue reading ‘Tis The Season

Blessed Birds

As the cranes follow their instincts and fly south in autumn, I, too, followed my urge to undertake a brief trip in the same direction. I wanted to lay eyes on them once again during their stopover in Monte Vista, where they refuel their fat stores, before continuing the journey to their wintering grounds. I … Continue reading Blessed Birds

Colorado’s Jays

What is in a name? Nomenclature does not necessarily follow the rules of logic. Common names of animals might or might not be related to scientific names, and might or might not be intuitive. Let’s explore the names of five different jays that occur in Colorado. Members of the corvid family (Corvidae), they are among … Continue reading Colorado’s Jays

Autumn In The High Country

I wrote these lines almost exactly three years ago following a backpacking trip, and I am publishing them now with slight modifications. During a trip to the San Juan Mountains in September, my husband and I are reminded of the splendor of different regions of our state, and of the grandeur of Colorado’s high country. … Continue reading Autumn In The High Country