Backyard Raptor: Inaugurating the Solar Fountain

 When you set up a new solar-powered birdbath in the backyard, you typically expect finches, robins, or chickadees to be the first to test the waters. Our local wildlife had slightly different ideas this morning. An adult Cooper's hawk swooped in, claiming the rim with an air of absolute authority and giving the new setup an official stamp of approval. Needless to say, the neighborhood songbirds will likely be waiting for the all-clear before they come in for their turn.

A Cooper's hawk officially christens the new backyard birdbath.

Wherever your travels take you today, may you always welcome unexpected visitors with open arms. 

Don Bergquist – 04 June 2026 – Lakewood, Colorado, USA

25 Years of Philanthropy: Celebrating the Charles Millican Legacy Society

 Returning to UCF always feels like coming full circle. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Charles Millican Legacy Society, celebrating a quarter-century of philanthropic dedication to the university.

Program cover for the Charles Millican Legacy Society event.

Breakfast, Broadcasting, and Old Friends in Orlando

 Whenever my travels bring me back to Central Florida, making time for breakfast with my college advisor and longtime friend, Dr. Thomas O. Morgan, and his wife Karen is an absolute priority. We spent a wonderful, relaxed morning catching up on life, reminiscing about the good old days at UCF, and talking shop about the ever-evolving broadcast industry. Good mentors shape our paths early on, but having them as lifelong friends is the real treasure.

A wonderful morning catching up with Doc and Karen in Orlando.

Wherever your travels take you today, may you always find time to reconnect with the mentors and friends who helped guide your journey. 

Don Bergquist – 01 May 2026 – Orlando, Florida, USA

Patience at the Gate: Heading Home to Florida

 Heading down to Orlando this weekend for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Charles Millican Society at UCF. Naturally, modern air travel had a familiar surprise waiting for me at the concourse—a departure delay. Watching our United jet maneuver across the ramp offers plenty of time to reflect on old college memories while waiting for the boarding doors to finally open. With a bit of luck and clear skies ahead, I should still make it to the Sunshine State in time for the festivities.

Watching my delayed ride taxi toward the gate in Denver.

Wherever your travels take you today, may your delays be short and your flights be smooth. 

Don Bergquist – 30 April 2026 – Denver, Colorado, USA

An Evening on the Patio in Colorado Springs

There is nothing quite like gathering the family together for dinner outdoors on a pleasant Colorado evening.

Liz, Tim, and Dennis enjoying dinner on the sunny patio.

Putting My Nikon on the Map

 Sometimes an afternoon drive isn't about chasing breathtaking vistas, but rather about dialing in the gear. The Nikon Z5 is a reliable workhorse, but its lack of onboard GPS has always meant an extra chore when organizing photo archives. Today’s mission was simple: take a drive south of Denver to field-test a new hot-shoe geo-tagger designed to inject live location coordinates straight into the image EXIF data. This rugged, sunlit hillside served as the test subject—and the camera finally knows exactly where it was standing.

Testing EXIF geotag coordinates on a quiet hill south of Denver.

Wherever your travels take you today, may you always know exactly where you are on the map. 

Don Bergquist – 04 April 2026 – Littleton, Colorado, USA

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig!

The journey is officially complete, and the transition from the humidity of Florida to the familiar air of Colorado is finally settled. The flight and the drive home were singularly uneventful. Which is always a good thing!

Homeward Bound Under a Florida Sunrise

 

A quiet, hazy sunrise over the tarmac as ground crews prepare for the day's first departures.

A Launchpad for the Future

 

Dr. Alexander N. Cartwright:
President Cartwright detailing the $3.5 billion vision for the university’s next twenty years.

Orlando Interlude

 "I don't know about you," I said to Tim over a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, "but with all the dashing to-and-fro around Central Florida that we have already done this week—and the fact that we have the event tonight and have to fly early in the morning—I would be just as happy doing nothing today!"

A Day at the Resort

 While the cat's away, the dogs will definitely play. Lev and Neshama have been making the most of their stay at the Overland Pet Resort here in Denver, Colorado. It is always a relief to see them so active and engaged, trading the living room rug for a proper sprint across the yard.

Lev leads the charge across the artificial turf with Neshama keeping a watchful eye from the background.

Sarasota Sunsets and Family Reunions

 After a morning of academia and automation talk at the University of Central Florida, the scenery shifted from the blackboards of Orlando to the coastal charm of Sarasota. The day was a whirlwind of strategic meetings at the College of Sciences, but the evening offered a much-needed pivot to family.

A Reunion and a Feast in Oviedo

 After a busy day, the journey led to Oviedo for a wonderful dinner at Yao's. The evening was spent catching up with Melodye, a friend from school, and her brother, Tim. While the conversation was the highlight, the food certainly held its own. The portions at Yao's are famously generous; even after sharing a fried rice, there was still plenty left over for Melodye and Tim to take home. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day with good company and even better flavors.

 Don, Melodye, Tim, and Tim enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and great food at Yao’s in Oviedo.

The Glass-Bottom Perspective

Florida's Silver Springs State Park: 
The iconic entrance arch welcoming visitors to one of Florida's most historic natural wonders.