EARLY MORNING MOMENTS: John Martin Dam

Morning at John Martin Dam.

Waiting for the breaking moment of that light-of-hope over the horizon, it is easy to get caught up in the din from thousands of geese resting on the ice on the open water to the west.

"Just a quick peek at the geese," I tell myself, "then I'll walk back over to the east side of the dam. The rays will take a few minutes to shine over Lake Hasty; I have time."

Suddenly, the din grows several decibels; included is a sound similar to a new, large, long crack in the ice. Turning quickly I see the entire flock of snow geese that had been resting together - only seconds before, all rise up in unison. This is a sound I will never forget, a unique sound, frozen in my memory.

"How can all those little brains unite and synchronize in a split second and carry out the exact same thought?" It freezes my bones; this is a Nature-moment...forever in my soul.

They slowly circle about 10 feet in the air, a flowing, ethereal, perfectly choreographed dance known only to Nature and her insatiable need for beauty.

















The light behind me grows.

The ice on Lake Hasty waits as the seconds pass...another stunning, fleeting sunrise presents itself!
















John Martin Dam. Once again in the daylight.














A force of Nature, awaiting the 'forces of man' and his/her unending arguments, disputes and regulatory verbiage. To release or not to release...

The amount of water in John Martin Dam, according to the USGS, is 43,800 acre-feet on 1/23/11.

Ice covers most of the reservoir today. Geese - both Canadas and Snows, abound. Gulls are intermittent, in the corners and along the shadows of the rocks and outcroppings along the shores. A lonely Heron sits on the stilling basin ice. During the 3 years I have watched and photographed the stilling basin, a lone Heron consistently sits around the same spot on the north side - ice or water - about in the middle of the basin.


Another morning moment along the banks of Lake Hasty...in southeast Colorado...at John Martin Reservoir State Park.


As always...Nature prevails.

Sunrise Vigil at Red Shin Standing Ground

August 12, 2010 came alive as the sun climbed slowly over the horizon, while a few clouds diffused the sun rays into variations of golden oranges, rusty yellows and shadowed grays.



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Time seemed to stand quite still as I contemplated the slow creep of the colors above the horizon.
The view atop Red Shin Standing Ground at John Martin Reservoir State Park was particularly stunning this SE Colorado morning.

Some rays crept between the pile of rocks beneath me, others stretching across the low, ground features around the park area.
Morning sounds including laughter and conversation emanated from the campground nearby, to the southeast.

This rock feature is connected with an interesting Native American story.

It seems a young Indian named Red Shin decided he wanted the hand of a certain lovely maiden; unfortunately, he was not the only interested party, and a difference of opinion broke out among many warriors.

As the story goes, Red Shin took his stand against these interlopers of similar intent, behind this large rock feature on a small hill northwest of the now existing Lake Hasty Campground.

According to the legend, following a long and furious standoff, Red Shin emerged the strongest warrior and walked off into the sunset, hand in hand with the aforementioned maiden.


Those many years ago, Red Shin did not have this stunning view of John Martin Dam, though the then-existing grove of tall, old cottonwoods standing along the Arkansas (behind which most likely stood many furious warriors), probably gave him plenty of awe and respect for Nature and her outstanding beauty.













As he pondered his fate, he probably enjoyed the soothing sounds of the moving river water as it fell over rocks and falls on its flow to Kansas. Nature is vividly and pervasively visible from this high view.

No doubt he pondered the bobcats that used dens in the rocks to the west of his position. I'm sure he pondered a lot of this during those hours - including his possible demise!

















In the end, his perseverance, strength and prowess gave him the win he so valiantly pursued - and gained.

This summer, 2010, the park installed a small parking lot and a pictured sign explaining this interesting legend of Red Shin. When you venture to John Martin Reservoir State Park, be sure to stop by and take in the interesting rock outcropping Red Shin used for his legendary battle of Love.

Whether you enjoy this visit during the early sunrise or late sunset, Red Shin Standing Ground will await your camera and your admiration, in its position that will most likely forever stand guard over the northeast side of the east face of John Martin Dam...at John Martin Reservoir State Park...on the high plains of southeast Colorado.

All photos are taken by, and are property of Danielle Simone.

A Spring Sunrise at John Martin

John Martin Dam stood particularly tall and proud into the cool, spring sunrise today. There is something magical, serene and even a bit bone-chilling, about standing on tons of old, solid, man-made concrete, high above the water, while the gentleness, beauty and fragility of Nature wraps around me. In addition, I am standing stock still as the planet under me flies around the sun in vacant space at some unfathomable speed! Hmmm...



The Corps of Engineers began releasing 215 CFS (cubic feet per second), into the Stilling Basin today. While the basin had three large sandbars yesterday, this morning at sunrise, two of them were covered. Harriette Heron stood guard on the third one, waiting for breakfast.

Yesterday, the reservoir held 85,900 acre-feet of water, threatening to gobble up the boat ramps on the north shore and the points of land jutting out on the south side.

Most of the geese have wandered north as the weather warmed here in southeast Colorado. But wildlife prevails through all seasons here at John Martin. A lone Turkey Buzzard flew over me on the dam as my camera checked out the morning sunrise poking through a narrow band of light gray and pinkish clouds on the eastern horizon.

Not as spectacular as some I've enjoyed, but unique and memorable. Shortly after, a sea gull lazily hovered close to the water, followed by two Pelicans who checked out Lake Hasty first and then flew over me to the reservoir. As I passed through the park road, a lone Grebe was diving for his morning snacks.

My sources say 45.5 degree water temperatures prevail at the dam today; spring is here and Nature's wake-up call can be seen in the greening of the trees, the changing of types of wildlife, the warming of the water and air as well as in the slightly northern movement of the sunrise on the horizon.

Deer tracks littered the small gully below Red Shin Standing Ground, giving witness to the unseen park herd that often graze in and around the campground in the early morning or near sunset. Spring is also calling some hardy campers; the Lake Hasty Campground had at least seven of them, taking advantage of brisk, spring breezes off Lake Hasty and beating the early summer rush of tourists to John Martin Reservoir State Park facilities.




As the large, white moon dropped toward the western horizon and the sunrise pale pinks tinged the lacy clouds across the sky, I stood absolutely still for a few moments, absorbing the 'spring' around me; the cool, moist air against my cheeks, the clean smell in my nose, the soothing sounds of waves lapping against the rocks below on the west side of the dam, the distant sound of the seagull...Nature at John Martin Reservoir in the early morning.

The changing of the seasons, one of Nature's yearly marvels, never ceases to overwhelm my humanness with awe and appreciation. Yes, man took millions of dollars, time and effort and numerous materials to create this 118 foot high structure. And humanity's ability to change river flows, fill up valleys with water and cover mountain tops with houses attests to our human power. Yet Nature prevails in the end, and we continue to enjoy her majesty and beauty, particularly at John Martin Dam on the southeast high plains of colorful Colorado.

note: all photos on this blog are copyrighted and available only by permission; daniellesimone0@gmail.com

Fall Reflections; John Martin Dam

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An awesome moon-set at John Martin Dam, this cool fall morning, as it runs through a cloud before dipping below the horizon.



The quickly following sunrise colors reflect on the water, south of the boat ramps.



Harriette Heron, stands next to a ray of sunrise, as the new day is reflected in the calm waters of the stilling basin, in front of the dam.



Nature is working her wonder at Lake Hasty as well, blending her beauty and majesty among the grasses and across the still waters.



As the sun leads the day out of darkness, the stilling basin reflects the beauty above.



A perfect reflection.




River reflections join in Nature's announcement of her new day.




Nature's reflections from the handicapped pier in John Martin Reservoir State Park.



The calm surface of Lake Hasty reflects the campground foliage.



From the peninsula on Lake Hasty, the handicapped pier sits among the reflections of fall.



Reflections of grandeur above...among the rocks of the shallow stilling basin.



John Martin Dam reaches 118 feet into the air.

It reflects the technological power of humanity and our occasional ability to rearrange Nature. The dam blocks and controls the Arkansas River where once - in the near past, it wandered unobstructed through the cottonwoods, on its way to Kansas.

But Nature still prevails, in the many reflections of the surrounding area in the early morning sunshine of a November day...in southeast Colorado.

NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED) ARE TAKEN BY DANIELLE SIMONE AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR USE ONLY WITH PERMISSION. Thank you.

daniellesimone@centurytel.net