Paradise Lost?

In last week’s post about Sanora Babb’s remarkable memoir, An Owl on Every Post, the Great Plains play a central role. Today I want to talk more about Chico Basin Ranch, my very own favorite place on the plains not too far from Colorado Springs, which straddles both El Paso County, my home county, and … Continue reading Paradise Lost?

An Owl on Every Post

If you know me or my blog at all, you will easily see why this cover appeals to me. The photo of a prairie sky in tumultuous flux, coupled with a title containing the word “owl,” guarantee that I will pick up this book from the shelf. I don’t typically buy books because of their … Continue reading An Owl on Every Post

My Wildlife Year

When reviewing photos for my last post, “My Colorado Wildflower Year,” I also enjoyed seeing images of wildlife I encountered in 2023, and I thought you might, too. A few of these were included in previous posts; others I hope to incorporate into future ones. Astute readers will detect the omission of “Colorado” in this … Continue reading My Wildlife Year

My Colorado Wildflower Year

Happy New Year to you, and welcome back to my blog, which took a looong nap. Reviews of the old year are supposed to happen when that year is on the wane, not when the new year is in ascendance. But travel, a lingering respiratory infection, and a profound weltschmerz, which many of you will … Continue reading My Colorado Wildflower Year

A Week Full of Surprises

The scene above shows our autumn-attired back yard on October 21. The comparison image below was taken only one week later, on October 28, and reflects the striking difference a mere week had wrought on our fall foliage. As the intervening days came with above-average temperatures in the 60s to 70s F (20s C) and … Continue reading A Week Full of Surprises