News from Cherry Creek SP

[Robert Righter]

Hi all

Sitting on the Bob Rozinski memorial bench while over looking the pond on cottonwood creek, I was able to fill Bob in on what was going on. During our spiritual  conversation 25 species of birds made an appearance including all three of the regular occurring teal and even a Black-crowned Night-Heron swooped over the cattails and gave its friendly “wonk” greeting. I wish now I’d brought along my camera as I’m sure Bob would have offered some tips on how to reduce the blur in my photos. If you are out birding Cherry Creek SP and feel like a little company  stop by and sit on the Bob Rozinski bench and check in and be sure to bring your camera. 

Bob Righter

Denver CO

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

Nice to remember our friend Bob. I just wrote  a piece on the early days of the Crane Festival here in Monte Vista. That means I dusted off the recollections from over 30 years ago. Back then,  Bob and Wendy were the premier photographers capturing the essence of the cranes and other San Luis Valley wildlife in those early days. This was before social networking and I believe Bob (and Wendy) brought the uniqueness and fantastic nature of the Valley to many on the front range though his/their photography. Bob gave "slide shows" back then as programs for the Crane Festival. He offered some of their framed photographs as prizes. We became friends very early in those days as folks often got both of us mixed up with the similarity of  names. Those were film camera days and were primitive by today's technology. Anyway, nice to remember Bob...

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO

[W Shattil]

Thanks Robert and John for your thoughtful memories of Bob.  He treasured his many friends and their shared love of nature.  I truly appreciate the comments, particularly since this week marks five years since Bob passed away. Hard to believe it's been that long, while also seeming like yesterday. 

Bob's Cherry Creek bench overlooks a favorite photo spot he visited every morning. One day he was on his belly in the mud photographing a huge snapping turtle and a week later capturing flight shots of teal landing on the pond. As far as the bench, I imagine him saying, "this is nice, but it's too close to the road."

All my best,

Wendy Shattil

[Robert Raker]

Thanks Bob for the reminder for me to head over to Cherry Creek and enjoy that lovely bench and to reminisce about the rewarding times I spent with Bob, learning the craft of wildlife photography. He was a masterful teacher, using both explanation and demonstration to get across important concepts. I feel indebted to him for the encouragement he offered to explore the outdoor world with a camera. I've included a photo of the wonderful memorial service for Bob that took place in Cherry Creek on June 4, 2016. Clearly he had lots of friends.

Rob Raker

Lakewood, CO

[rosanne juergens]

I only know of Robert Rozinski from the wonderful book published by him and Wendy Shattil in 1990: "Close to Home." I was given the book by my mentor John B. Hayes who contributed with photos and "quips." The photos are not today's high resolution, crystal clear images, but they tell a story of how birds and other taxa have adapted to our urban environment. In addition, it is a reflection of the early days of birding and nature watching in the Denver area. There are copies available!

https://www.amazon.com/Close-Home-Colorados-Urban-Wildlife/dp/091179770X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=close+to+home%2C+colorado%27s+urban+wildlife&qid=1618427289&sr=8-1

Where is the bench?

Sincerely,

Rosanne Juergens

Centennial, CO

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 8:53:23 PM UTC-6 lyn...@gmail.com wrote: