A Bright Spot

Leaves are gone off the trees. The grass is brown. The sky is cloudy. People get depressed. The temperatures lately have been hitting near-record lows. Most people are just trying to get through winter and are looking forward to spring.

But, keep your eyes open. There are always bright spots, like the Cardinal that is pictured above.

Let’s not get so focused on surviving winter that we forget to look for the Bright Spots that are all around us.

- Dan

At The Mall

Riley County High School performed at Manhattan Town Center prior to Christmas. Following the mall, they went to Meadowlark Hills and performed for the folks there.

Let’s always remember why we celebrate Christmas,
- Dan

First Snow

Kind of dreary, isn’t it?

This was the view out the back door of our office building on Tuesday. Snow was falling. The roads were slick. Schools were closed.

I’ve not seen official snowfall totals, but at my house I measured 9″ of the white stuff piled up.

Along with the snow, the temperatures dropped to -9F one morning. That should fit anyone’s definition of cold.

- Dan

Full Moon

Another view of the sky from rural Riley County.

This full moon picture is underexposed by 2 f-stops. This is intentional, as it helps to bring out the subtle contrast of the areas on the moons surface.

I know. Pictures of the full moon are a dime-a-dozen, but I’m still in awe that people have actually walked on the moon!

- Dan

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving, 2008. The feast was being prepared at the homestead, but one item was missing. So, at the request of my sweetheart, I jumped in the Highlander and headed toward town.

Looking out across a harvested soybean field, I noticed a bald eagle feasting on a deer carcass. Slamming on the brakes, I veered (it was a controlled veering…) into the ditch and grabbed my camera from the back seat. Jumping out I worked on changing lenses as I stumbled through the growth along the edge of the road.

That eagle stayed still long enough for me to grab a few shots of him before he looked at me and gracefully took to flight. Last I saw of him he was heading south toward the river.

Keep you eyes open this winter. Eagles are becoming more common around Riley County.

- Dan

Blue Heron At The Lake

Do you see him? He’s pretty well hidden in this picture.

Many birds are native, or at least pass through, Riley County. Wading birds, like the Blue Heron, are often seen in areas where there are bodies of water or rivers.

This picture was taken near the Stockdale area of Tuttle Creek.

- Dan

MCC Basketball

Much of the sports focus in Riley County is on K-State. Don’t let it slip your mind that there is another college in the area. Although small, Manhattan Christian College has athletic teams that are competitive at their level (NCCAA DII). Basketball season for the Crusaders has started.

Come on down to City Auditorium. Schedules can be found here.

- Dan

Moonrise over Riley County

One of the benefits of living in rural Riley County is that there are fewer distractions to noticing what is in the sky. Having lived in a major metropolitan area in years past, I enjoy being able to see the moon and stars as they rise in the east.

Notice in this picture that the sun had not yet set, but moon is prominent in the sky.

- Dan

Riley County is home to some great football – whether it be high school or K-State.

I had a chance to be at the K-State vs Texas A&M game last Saturday and snapped this pic.

The stands were pretty full. The game play reminded me of the old Bill Snyder teams. It was very entertaining!

- Dan

A teaser for Seussical the Musical was presented at the RCHS Fall Concert on Monday, October 19, 2009.

The musical will be performed at the Riley County High School on the following dates and times:

• Nov 12, 2009 – 7:30pm
• Nov 13, 2009 – 1:00pm
• Nov 14, 2009 – 7:30pm

So, come on out and support the students and staff who have worked hard on this.

- Dan