Grizzly Seeking Breakfast

On one of our recent drives we saw a young Grizzly bear digging for breakfast in the ditch.
We took many photos and a few videos of his hard work.

He was in the far ditch. Any traffic had to go past us and, since I don't know how to edit those passes stay in.

I hope you enjoy it.

Gratitude Monday -- My Goat Legs Edition

I've really earned my goat legs this spring, and for it I am grateful.
What that means is I've done some hiking in the mountains and done it reasonably well.
On Saturday we did a hike out west called HooDoo Creek. It involves walking up the mostly dry and very rocky stream bed of a creek. About a km or so up the stream appears. That means crisscrossing it for the best footing.
Just past the one km mark there are some hoodoos. I will post pics another day.
Along with being in the mountains this hike has a 400 m elevation gain and it is gained through a steady climb. I stopped to rest every 50 to 100 metres. I've learned that as soon as I hear the partridge drumming it is time to rest so the blood can stop pounding in my ears.
I didn't go the whole way. I stopped about 200 m short of the 2.4 km end. There one can scramble up a fair ways to some  caves.
Mike went, I rested.
As far as I am concerned not only do I have my goat legs for the year this hike earned me a spare.
Once we were back down we drove a bit up the road, pulled out to a place near some trees, and enjoyed a picnic.
It was one of our best days ever and for it I am grateful.



If you look at the bottom of the pic just left of the stream you'll notice a narrow ledge. It's just wide enough for a foot. It was a very exciting part of the hike.

Photo-Finish Friday --Grousing About

On our Sunday drive last week we saw a ruffed grouse.

He crossed the road in front of us so fast we barely had time to get photos and not time at all why he was doing it.



Here's a closer view:

Details Still Sketchy

But I like to think I am improving.

I took a sketchbook along on our recent hike in the West Country. I sat in the warm sun and  did a very quick preliminary sketch of what I saw.  Several days later I started work on it.
A few days after that I decided to call it done.

Drawing is not my thing, but I see I am learning and am getting better at it. I may not get much better than this, but it doesn't matter.

I am enjoying myself, and expressing myself artistically. Good, bad, or indifferent sketching is stretching.

Gratitude Monday - The Wrens Are Here

Our faithful wren couple returned a little while ago and have consented to build in the bird house on the back deck.
We are both very grateful they've come back.
They sing, they cuss, and they work.
It is glorious.
These photos were taken yesterday morning as they took turns waiting on the clothes trees.
I had to shoot through the window on the screen door so as not to disturb them.

Photo- Finish Friday-- Another Mountain Scene

Near White Goat Falls west of Nordegg, Ab.

Gratitude Monday -- Poetic Memory Edition

Photo of Jocelyn II, courtesy Terry Utas

I grew up on a farm and it was pretty damned good. I am grateful for all I got to do and for the great memories of it.

Here's a poem that sorts it out better than a whole whack of description ever  could.

_____

Jocelyn

I am an old woman now.

I sit in the sun

and I remember.

I remember how the sun felt on my face

when I was young.

It feels the same today.

I sat under trees

or in them.

I climbed on the combine

and jumped off into the waiting arms of nothing.

I hung from the swingset by my knees for a

fresher view of the world.

And I threw rocks in the creek.

I rode my bike

and sometimes took it apart for fun.

I slept in freshly ploughed dirt

and swam in mud puddles.

I am an old woman now.

I sit in the sun and remember.

And I smile.

______

Jocelyn is my middle name.  When I was very young we had a jersey cow that I named Jocelyn. Using the name for the poem served as an anchor.
Several years cousin Terry offered her internet circle the chance to name the new ranch calves and I had the honour of naming the above calf Jocelyn.

As for being an old woman, I am not even close. That's straight up poetic licence, that is.