ArvadaPix

tree closeup

2007-12-23T19:06:00.001-08:00

tree closeup, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

Our microscopic tree this year. Samson, the new young Tom-kitty, is feared as a potential tree assassin, so Laurel went with this smaller 'symbolic' tree.

Samson and Ms. Kitty

2007-12-23T19:05:00.001-08:00

Samson and Ms. Kitty, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

Sampson, the suspected Christmas tree would-be-assassin, is on the left, helping Ms. Kitty keep that corner of the bed from floating up off the ground. They are tireless in providing this valuable service.

tree in even brighter sun

2007-12-23T18:58:00.003-08:00

tree in even brighter sun, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

The loot dwarfs the tree.

xmas meeses

2007-12-23T18:58:00.001-08:00

xmas meeses, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

On the fireplace mantle.

xmas snoman

2007-12-23T18:57:00.003-08:00

xmas snoman, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

Sharing the mantle

xmas manger

2007-12-23T18:57:00.001-08:00

xmas manger, originally uploaded by gjbloom.

Yep, on the mantle too.

Tracks, Trees and Sun

2005-12-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Cross-eyed stereo pair of wintery hillside. (If you cross your eyes until the two images fuse into one in the center, you'll see the scene in 3D. Clicking on the image will, as always, provide a bigger and more detailed image.)

Giant's Eye View of Front Range

2005-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Cross-eyed pair of front range, showing El Dorado canyon and the distant snow-capped peaks of the continental divide. Shot with about a 200-meter parallax to give a giant's eye view of the depth. (Best to click on the pic for a bigger view).

Poles and Plants

2005-12-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

Cross-eyed stereo pair of power poles (very few of these left nowadays) along the southwest edge of Standley Lake.

Bug's Eye View

2005-12-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

Cross-eyed stereo pair giving a bug's eye parallax of a bush.

Canal

2005-12-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

Cross-eyed stereo pair of irrigation canal using about 12-inch parallax.

Begining to look a lot like Christmas

2005-12-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

Halloween came and went with a few jack-o-lantern decorations, then we had faux leaves and a cornucopia through Thanksgiving. Now that December has rolled around, Bruns Manor is sporting a bit of Christmas decor.

Not meant for man to know

2005-12-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

One of those things that people of the masculine persuasion were not meant to understand - a small shelf whose sole purpose appears to be the support of some painted letters which are arranged to spell "Apple". Don't get me wrong - I like seeing it. It's just not something I'd ever think of doing. Anyway, you can also see the top of the Christmas tree in the mirror.

Presidential Ornament

2005-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

This tasteful, multi-colored plastic and stamped aluminum ornament is said to have come from the White House itself. Whether from the gift shop or discreetly lifted from the first tree, we do not know (or aren't telling).

Angel from on high

2005-12-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

The sunburst halo, extra piece of flowing cloth, the prehensile steel wire helping her grip the treetop - all are the signs of a true angel.

Angel's Back

2005-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

I'm sure the manufacturer must have done his homework before crafting this piece, so it must be safe to conclude that angels do, in fact, have bar-codes.

Small Present

2005-12-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

A small, hand-made present ornament.

Our Christmas Tree

2005-12-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

The whole tree, complete with loose ornaments for the cat to play with, so she doesn't have to knock any off.

Zebralawn

2005-11-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

I'll never understand why people buy and use drop spreaders for fertilizing their lawns. Though in fairness, this colorful display of lemon-lime stripeyness only became apparent as the weather got cooler. Still, a broadcast spreader is less expensive, easier to use (IMO), and gives an even feeding. At least this hapless suburban farmer didn't go over it again a second time at right angles to the first pass - that ends up providing a festive plaid look.

Hobbit Hole

2005-11-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

This prarie dog made its hole under a sage. Probably keeps his home smelling prarie sweet.

Likable Lichen

2005-11-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I like lichen. I'm sure this likable lichen would like to like you too.

Road to El Dorado

2005-11-13T19:19:00.000-08:00

A dirt track pointing more-or-less in the direction of Ed Dorado canyon, which is in that gap where the front range mountains dip down and touch the ground, revealing the snow-capped peaks of the continental divide.

Love Life

2005-11-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

A picnic-bench philosophy that's hard to argue with. Though the cannabis leaf makes me wonder if the love of life they're feeling is perhaps a little forced. Then again, the glass of shiraz in my belly argues persuasively that it might not be.

Didn't Get the Memo

2005-11-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

Dude, see what everyone else is wearing? You must not have got the memo about the Fall dress code.

Energy

2005-11-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

All that remains of summer's frenetic energy.

Inspiration for Roger Dean?

2005-11-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

The edges where the lake undermines the shore give rise to these fantastic shaped miniature landscapes that somehow remind me of the psychedelic artwork of Roger Dean.

Sundog

2005-11-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

He came running then stopped, posing just long enough for this photo, then ran off, resuming his original mission.

Waterwall

2005-11-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

It'll be fun, someday, when smart materials allow us to create walls that exactly mimic the ripples of a lake coming to shore but vertically, on the wall.

Dried Lakeweed

2005-11-13T18:38:00.000-08:00

Don't know what to call this - a tangled mat of seaweed? I don't think "lakeweed" is right, since that term applies to a specific plant (water pepper). Whatever. I like the jumble and wonder how hard it would be to untangle the whole mess.

Timing is everything

2005-11-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

Sadly enough, for this tenacious bindweed sprout - its timing couldn't possibly have been any worse. But then again, it also ended up sprouting below the high-water mark, violating the first law of real estate - location...location...location.

Front-Row Seat

2005-11-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

The small bench appears perfectly positioned for a solo audience to grand cloudscape dances. (One of the many cool things about Colorado is the awesome variety of clouds we get, owing to the unusual airflow after passing over the mountains).

Life on the Edge

2005-11-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

This cottonwood has the mixed fortune of having grown right next to the high-water mark of the lake, causing it to spread huge, trunk-sized roots sideways.

First Ice

2005-11-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the middle of November, and we're only just now seeing temperatures low enough at night to start icing over shallow water.

Hippie and Dwarf

2005-11-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

It's interesting that the Woodstock icon has become a part of costume lore on a par with witches, goblins and dwarves.

Halloween Decoration

2005-11-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

Some people decorate the outside of their home for Halloween and some set out decorations on the inside. Laurel set this metal Jack-o-Lantern and some fall leaves on the kitchen counter, along with some decorative gourds and a wicker cornucopia.

Blaze

2005-11-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

Mike's cat, Blaze, impeccably dressed in her favorite Halloween costume, showing her sly look.

Laurel helping get Mike ready

2005-11-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Mike is a very tall 15-year-old who, despite Laurel's scolding that he's really too old to be going out, still went trick-or-treating with his buddies.

Trick-or-treat

2005-11-01T19:35:00.000-08:00

In the US, children dress in costume and go door to door saying "trick or treat", expecting candy. Just for fun, we gave out 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola. The little kids eyes really light up when they see that instead of a small piece of chocolate.

Trick-or-treat

2005-11-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

More candygrubbers.

Baeutiful nonetheless

2005-10-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

The chilly autumn nights are hard on a flower, but it's still trying.

Stone Swirl

2005-10-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

One of the artsy stacked stones with carvings on 'em that're supposed to look like they're done by aboriginals...with power tools.

New bench concept

2005-10-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

Looks so much more comfy than those traditional wooden-slat benches. Complete with seat-belts, too, in case we get an earthquake.

Beeman Park

2005-10-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

I never found Beeman Park. But since they're still building, perhaps it's yet to come. Nevertheless, they have banners exalting it.

High Security

2005-10-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Must be an insurance thing. I've never noticed much worth stealing on construction sites. (Though I suppose someone building something might make off with a truckload of lumber, but still...)

Curvy sidewalk

2005-10-23T18:20:00.000-07:00

Curvy sidewalks look nice, but does anybody actually follow them?

"Water Feature"

2005-10-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

A sign leading into the park prohibits playing in the "Water Feature".

Plant Map

2005-10-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

A map that allows one to locate whatever particular species of shrubbery one is curious about. The only poisonous one I spotted was Digitalis Obscura, but I bet a botanist could spot a few more. Surprising the Five Parks developers didn't vet the list of plants to be sure they're all safe in salads.

Contorted Filbert

2005-10-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

This central park of the Five Parks development has a small arboretum, with plaqued plants that allegedly grow here. This is the first time I've seen a "contorted filbert", though. They also have a corkscrew willow that looks a bit deformed, though not as obviously as this poor fellow.

Main Street, USA

2005-10-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Materialization of the Five Parks Main-Street Disneyopolis tract-home concept. I like the look, but wish they had a bit more space between them. And I don't get what's with these people parking their cars on the wrong side of the road, British-style.

Nice Entrance

2005-10-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Entrance to Five Parks community swimming pool.

Mailboxes

2005-10-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

In an odd juxtaposition of small-townishness meets modern postal reality, Five Parks appears to have provided individual mailboxes in the familiar shape of those used by rural residents, but has bolted them onto a common frame, just like the anonymous silvery NBU's that most neighborhoods have nowadays.

The Depot

2005-10-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

Part of the small-town, main-street, Disnefied ambiance that the marketeers of Five Parks have created is The Depot. This would be cool if Five Parks were actually served by light rail, as some commuter-oriented developments are nowadays, but the "Depot" appears to be more of a small-towny-flavored rec center.

Now you know

2005-10-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

This small park, with the quaint playground and nice horizons, is one of apparently five in the Five Parks subdivision.

Nice spread

2005-10-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

The view from Russell Park looking NE reveals a ranch house surrounded by colorful windbreak.

Mystery Mounds

2005-10-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

I just can't figure out what they're building or growing that would require them to create all these mysterious mounds of dirt. It'll be interesting to see what it turns out to be.

Playground

2005-10-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Quaint little playground set that appears to be much less lethal than the monkey-bars, teeter-totters and large swing-sets I recall as a kid.

In the round

2005-10-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

Round touristo snaps self-portrait in convex side of the burning-ray-of-death playground piece.

Unintended side-effect

2005-10-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

The concave side of this mirrored dome faces South-East, allowing the sun to be focused into a little burning ray of unintended evil as it passes low in the afternoon sky. You can see where some pebbles have been heated enough to melt larger pits for themselves, and the sun traces lines that correspond to cloud-free afternoons as it precesses lower into the autumn sky. I bet the first time little Billy burns his precious fingers on that molten plastic, this feature of the playground is coming out. Too bad, really. It's sort of educational.

Tree of ambition

2005-10-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Trees don't grow to the sky, but there's no reason not to try.

Nice moss

2005-10-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

In addition to their bright choice of flowers, I found myself taken by the pools of green moss between the flagstones on the left. Moss is a little unusual in this semi-arid climate.

Ring of bad taste

2005-10-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

This little "attraction" consists of concrete poured in a spiral with a concrete faux tree stump in the center proclaiming it "The tree of knowledge & the ring of stone". Never mind that it's all concrete, rather than tree or stone, and never mind that the tree of knowledge appears to have been cut down or that the "ring" of "stone" is actually a spiral of concrete. This little attraction has absolutely nothing going for it. I can't believe that a new housing development like Five Parks, whose whole shtick is trowelling a sort of Main-Street Disney Mythos over their otherwise pretty ordinary tract homes, would commit the cash and dirt to make this visual catastrophe part of their development. Must have been an art project for the developer's daughter or something.

Brown on green

2005-10-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

The trees give up sooner than the grass, for some reason.

It just doesn't get any redder than this

2005-10-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

Woodvine on a fence, going out in style.

Riot of color

2005-10-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

A maple, showing off.

No Outlet

2005-10-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Color-coordinated sign.

Entrance to the Dry Creek Trail

2005-10-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

This entrance to the Dry Creek Trail is about half a block away from Laurel's house. I decided to walk down to the Standley Lake Library this morning. They don't make days much nicer than this for walking.

Rain totem?

2005-10-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

Colorado is a semi-arid region, averaging just 15.4 inches of rain per year. Perhaps they hope this raingirl will attract more?

Happy

2005-10-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Most dogs bark as I walk past. This fella just popped up and looked enquiringly as I snapped his pic.

Dogs walking man

2005-10-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

This guy was constantly juggling leashes from hand to hand as these three pooches went every which way, mostly ignoring his commands to stop or go or stay. It was pretty clear who was walking whom.

Sea monster

2005-10-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Loch Ness has Nessie - Dry Creek has, uh, "Messie"?

A bridge

2005-10-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

A bridge over the raging creek. (Seems like overkill, with the creek spanning all of a meter across, but it's a nice bridge).

Every day is flag day

2005-10-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

These folks have a splendid Tudor-style house in a lovely yard and appear to fly the flag all the time.

Not-so-dry Creek

2005-10-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

The "Dry Creek" the trail follows, sparkling in the autumn sun.

Cottonwood Blaze

2005-10-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

Cottonwood trees in fall regalia leaning over the Dry Creek Path.

Laurel's House

2005-10-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Laurel's house.

Neighborhood

2005-10-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

This shot is taken from the SW corner of Laurel's front lawn, facing SW, showing the foliage of her diagonal neighbors'.

Halloween Decorations

2005-10-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

In the US we celebrate Halloween on October 31st. It's a holiday for kids, mostly, which they celebrate by dressing in costumes and going door to door begging for candy. Some people like to decorate their homes for the occasion.

Entrance Road

2005-10-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

This is the entrance road to the subdivision, facing south having turned about 45 degrees left of the sign, showing fall colors and a weary salaryman making his way home from the bus.

The Landing

2005-10-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

The entrance to the subdivision where Laurel's house is. The entrance to the Standley Lake park is about 50 meters behind me in this photo.

Wispy Clouds

2005-10-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

Wispy clouds right before sunset, looking SSW.

Fall Colors

2005-10-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

More fall foliage at the lake, looking SSE.

Countryside

2005-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Open countryside looking NW showing front range of rocky mountains. Just over the plateau ridge before the foothills (thus not visible) is Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility. They've been cleaning up the plutonium for decades and have decades more work ahead of them. We like to joke that there is no need for streetlamps here because the ground simply glows in the dark. I have heard there is a thin layer of plutonium oxide about 18 inches below the surface from accidental plutonium fires at the plant back in the 1950's.

Update: Astonishing practically everyone, DOE announced that Rocky Flats cleanup is complete. More astonishing:

The cleanup project was estimated in the early 1990s to take at least 70 years and cost more than $37 billion. The final price tag was $7 billion and it was finished 56 years ahead of schedule.

So I don't know whether hearty applause is in order for getting things done so much faster and more cost-effectively, or whether the original project architects should be taken out and flogged for having grossly overstated the time and materials costs. (But, being in the software biz for over a quarter-century, I can think of only two projects I've worked on that came within 15% of target. But still, 70 years becoming 12 and $37 billion becoming $7 billion? I'd have thought someone could have scoped the project a little tighter than that.)

An irrigation canal

2005-10-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

An irrigation canal looking east with cottonwood trees in fall colors.

Goose Island

2005-10-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

Looking NE from the SW corner of Standley Lake, showing Goose Island. The Island is actually a peninsula this time of year, owing to the lower water level of the reservior in Fall.

Wide Open Spaces

2005-10-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot looking NNW near the entrance to Standley Lake Park. The large mountain in the distance is Long's Peak. It's about 60 kilometers away.

2000-01-01T00:01:00.001-08:00

First Grade

2000-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

First grade photo. I just put this here so I can get a URL for the photo.