This Papilio, a Two Tailed Swallowtail, or perhaps a Western Tiger Swallowtail, flitted from flower to flower fascinated by the pollen and the Beatles. I was playing guitar on the deck, switching between the Fender guitar tuner app and the phone camera. The Butterfly seemed fascinated (anthropomorphizing perhaps on my part?) by the Rolling Stones […]

mm Did we experience any record heat during the most recent heat wave? During the recent heatwave, several cities in Colorado experienced record-breaking temperatures. Aspen: On July 17, Aspen Airport recorded a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the hottest July 17 since 1998. Although this temperature is significant, it does not officially count as […]

Of course the honor is again Boulder’s! The oldest County Fair in Colorado dates back to 1869.  To cool us down let’s chat about Ferris’s Wheel.  since they are so cool and fascinating! Our County Fair pre-dates Ferris’s Wheel by almost 30 years. Since then the wonderful wheels have appeared sporadically in the County. Ferris’s […]

I was truly shocked. I had a chat with AI about how much hotter it is on concrete, on blacktop, and on outdoor dirt paths. How much hotter is a blacktop parking lot surface than the “ambient air” temperature as reported.  I know that when I walk out of the supermarket or out of any […]

Ballooning starts early. Light was just breaking (mostly in my imagination) when baskets are already being lowered from the back of pickup trucks. Teamwork and cooperation are essential. Balloons are unloaded, laid out on the ground, and filling begins. The main body of balloon-filling air initially is supplied by large powerful fans run on generators. […]

  Art is easy. Photography is easy. What is hard is getting up early enough to see the art. Photographers have long known that the best, most fun and interesting light is during the “golden hours,” around sunrise and around sunset. Fine. So we know the secret. What’s hard about that? EASY! The hard part […]

The sun rises over Eastern Boulder County at the Erie Balloon Festival. I arrived at 5:15 AM to make sure I did not miss part of the show! The rising sun lights the clouds where the hot air balloons are welcomed! Here we are at the third picture and so far not even one balloon! […]

Pool for cool or for a place to melt? It can be either. Even in the water we are being cooked in the microwave we call the “sun.” As the temperatures rise, the summer heat can pose serious dangers, especially when engaging in physical activities. It’s crucial to prioritize staying cool and avoiding heat-related illnesses […]

Boulderites value waking success and value maintaining great health. Sleep is an essential part of both. Sleep is a fundamental biological necessity, yet in today’s fast-paced world, it’s often overlooked. Many of us have experienced the consequences of a sleepless night, but just how long can we go without sleep before it becomes a serious […]

Raccoons, with their distinctive facial masks and ringed tails, are a common sight in many North American backyards. While some may perceive them as pests, these resourceful mammals play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Understanding the benefits of having raccoons as backyard visitors can lead to a greater appreciation for their presence and the […]