The moon still shined while the sun illuminated only the top of a rocky hillside.
I rode along feeling the bitter bite of the cold and, as I became chilled, I realized that I'd lost my adaptation for riding my bike in extreme conditions. However, as the headwind hurled sand into my face, I remembered a windy day just after my surgery when I'd pined to ride my bike. In fact, I'd specifically wished that I could be out pedaling while feeling the harshness of our winter world. With that in mind today, I started smiling and then laughing as I pedaled my heart out. I realized that I'm a very lucky person to be riding my bike again, so soon after my surgery.After my ride, K and I enjoyed a short hike, made easy by the freezing air that had solidified the snow so that both of us could walk on top of the ocean of snow without breaking through.
We visited our favorite lookout but the mountains were in a swirl of clouds.
We found some very old tracks (a week old?) that looked like mountain lion tracks and followed a path where I've found definite lion tracks in the past. The step length and pattern fit a lion's but the tracks were melted out making a positive identification impossible. I felt that strange thrill of possibly walking in the paw prints of a mighty lion.Shortly after arriving home, a handsome coyote visited our clearing, trotting past naked aspen trees and probably enjoying the hard snow after a week of slogging through deep snow.
Finally, I ended my day with an exploratory hike with a new friend, searching a steep slope for bear and lion signs. I've never hiked with another person who is as fascinated with unraveling nature's mysteries as I am... what an exhilarating experience! At one point, we contoured along a steep hillside just below a rocky ridge with a deep blue sky shining on us.
By the end of our hike, the sun had sunk toward the horizon, radiating mystical power through the mountain clouds. It felt like a fitting sight for the end of an idyllic day.
During our hike, we talked a lot about bears - signs that they leave in the forest and their life habits. I have many more photos of the mother and her twins at the den that I'll be working on to post in the coming days.I'll leave you with this one photo. The protective mother bear is on her way to give my camera an extensive and up-close examination while one of her yearling cubs stood upright to scratch a tree. After looking at that yearling closely, I still can't figure out if it's a male or female. Does anyone else have a strong opinion based on the photo? You can magnify the photo by clicking on it.
I'm rooting for a female cub because sows tend to stay in the home range of their mother. That would mean that I'd have one more bear living near my home, and that would make me very happy!
All the pics are great although my favourites are the coyote and the bears -
ReplyDeleteSorry...no idea on boy or girl bear!
Of course, we'd love it to be a her too!
Once again, you are always finding the positives in life! I can imagine so many people making the opposite statement and remarking that its been far too long since they've done something they've enjoyed and that they are bitter about it. But, you have such a great outlook. That's another way in which you are lucky!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a whole lot of bed-head to me on that bear's belly after a winter of napping. If I had to guess, though, I'd say it's a girl. That's certainly what I want, like you!
I am definitely not the person to ask about bear gender!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to get out and experience the wind in your face today!
With two cubs, your chances of having one of them be femme is pretty good, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteNo oddsmaker,
Jo
sounds like a wonderful, exhilarating day! good for you, to be so aware of your blessings!
ReplyDeleteno clue about the sex! too much fur!! hope it is a she!
xoxo
It's weird reading about your bitter cold bike ride, when it was 85 under a blazing sun here yesterday - almost too hot for my liking. It's good to hear about you getting back on the bike, though!
ReplyDeleteA few weeks back I reviewed a grant that was very relevant to your hibernating bears. Unfortunately, I can't say anything about what was in the grant, but I thought about your bears the whole time I was reading it!
Happy days are good. Who can believe the distance travelled and the huge strides made in the last 3months? Loved todays post - so upbeat - a perfect Easter wake-up.
ReplyDeleteI love moments outside when the absurd becomes laughable, and then fun. (Usually something with weather, like the freezing wind whipping your face while you road). I always feel the most alive during those times.
ReplyDeleteWow, you sound like you had a perfect day. Everyday should have a physical/outdoor sandwich likes yours did! Solo ride, hike with pup, exploration with friend! Truly exhilarating.
I can't get over how blue your sky gets!
An impressively full day of biking, hiking, and friendship. Glad you had such great stamina. You're healing more day by day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day and great biking and hiking.
ReplyDelete