A day to savor

We made it. K ran all the way to a spot where we love to gaze at the morning light on the mountains. The last time that she stood on this mini-arch was 7 months ago, the day before her toe situation made running impossible. On that day, I had no idea that K wouldn't be able to run that far again for a long long time. I also had no clue that she'd end up losing a toe to a nasty infection. But, that's behind us now.

On our way there, we had some wildlife peeping at us.

Near the end of our ride, K's eyes glowed with happiness. My eyes glowed too but they're not as stunning as K's eyes!

A day to savor...

A brief return of winter

Yesterday, the storm clouds rolled in, and I did a snow dance while the Duo frolicked in the cool air.

We are 6' behind our average snow fall for the winter. Our fire danger is already intense. But, just like all the other storms so far this winter, last night's storm just rushed over top of us, leaving a dusting of snow. K galloped through it this morning.

Moreover, the main lasting effect was wind. In this photo on Hug Hill, I caught K during a lull in the bone-rattling gusts.

But, in most of my photos, her ears flapped in the wind like waving flags.

We headed for the protection of some trees where I enjoyed seeing the thin coat of snow barely covering the wintergreen plants. At our turnaround point, K implored me to go further. Sorry girl, not yet!

After I dropped K at home, I headed out on my own. The snow melted under an intense sun very rapidly. I spotted a yellow flower. I thought that it was gorgeous, especially with the micro-forest of green plants sprouting all around it. If you look closely at the world, there's beauty everywhere!

Yes, I do know that it was a dandelion. But, I try not to let society's designation that these yellow gems are "weeds" change my view of them.

At the end of my ride, I discovered the elk herd near our house. Most of the long-legged ungulates dozed in the shade of a clump of trees. But, a young and very thin buck stood watching me.

I love that the elk herd hangs around near our house so much in the springtime. Today, bluebirds fluttered around them, and, very soon, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds will buzz overhead. In the meantime, please do a snow dance for us. As much as I yearn for summer-like weather, our world needs a humongous dump of snow so that the plants and animals can flourish, and we humans can stop worrying so much about wildfires.

Bear den and sunset hike

A week ago, I made a visit to the empty bear den to see what animals had passed the den over the winter. I love visiting the den because it is such an important place for our bears. But, I strictly ration my visits to avoid letting my human scent build up there.

The only visitor all winter was our feisty bobcat.

He arrived on the scene in late March just after darkness had fallen. He stood still looking toward the den entrance. Perhaps he was sniffing for bears. Based on my experience last winter, I can assure you that he'd be able to smell any bears in the den!

Then, he started to walk toward the entrance.

There was a 10 second gap in the photos as he appeared to approach the den entrance. I suspect that he peered into the den, and then walked uphill to the right of it. If you look very closely at the photo below, you can see his tracks going to the right of the hole in the boulders and his hind end just barely visible at the right edge of the photo.

Nobody else visited the den all winter long. That's not too surprising because all the bears were denned in other places, hopefully sound asleep. Moreover, the area where the den sits holds a heavy snowpack all winter and most animals seem to avoid deep snow.

At the end of my den visit, I made sure that my camera was working and had good batteries. I walked away from the site knowing that I may not return until next January. Based on last year, I know that bears visit this den throughout the spring, summer, and fall. I don't want to leave my scent in their special place. By next January, hibernating bears will be deeply asleep so it's a good time to visit a den.

My fingers are crossed that a bear family chooses to use the den next winter! Perhaps the sow from last winter will bring her new cubs to this perfect den for a long winter sleep.

Yesterday evening, the Duo and I had a sun-soaked hike that felt distinctly springlike. They were full of verve and very photogenic!

Since becoming interested in photography, I've learned that the "best light" for photographs at sunrise and sunset is in different spots as the seasons change. This dramatic boulder is a great sunset spot right now.

During our hike, we practiced a bunch of recalls. In the photo below, each has raised one paw as they started their sprint to me.

On another recall, R veered off to sniff out rabbits. K is looking at him with great concern. She gets worried whenever her mischievous brother is "naughty".

As the sun sank until it was hovering just above the Continental Divide, I stopped at a favorite lookout point. The low sun was so bright that K couldn't keep her eyes open. Maybe she needs shades!

She mustered a heavy-lidded open eye look for me. I love the mystical light of sunset and sunrise.

Then, just as the sun set, I captured a photo of the contented Duo resting together on a boulder.

Nearby, a robin heralded the end of a day by singing his heart out from a treetop as the sky turned gold.

I agree with the robin. The beauty of our world is worthy of song!

Springtime lifts the spirits

Robins warbled from the treetops as K and I headed into the forest this morning. A distinct chill permeated the air but the sun rapidly warmed us when we climbed out of the trees.

I can't help but notice our subtle signs of spring. Our main flowers at this early juncture are our Pasqueflowers and one seemed to shine brighter than the rest this morning.

My bike riding with K has been a huge spirit-lifter for these past two weeks. Her eyes make me smile.

My back has continued to be mind-numbingly painful. I had a "dry needle trigger point" procedure on Tuesday that helped a bit, and I'm having a repeat of it next week. In the meantime, my PT and I are worrying that a whole new section of my spine, the thoracic spine, is starting to degenerate. So, I'm going to see a specialist who can order MRIs and help guide me through this new phase.

Thank goodness that I can still move around, riding my bike and hiking with my dogs out in nature. Otherwise, I might succumb to the temptation to feel sorry for myself.

Today, I kept K's running time short to let her paw recover from yesterday's longish ride. After I rode with her, I headed out solo into a truly beautiful day. Look at that trail! I can't possibly feel forlorn when I can whoosh along a trail like this one in utter solitude.

During my ride, I passed a mini-herd of horses and burros. The black and white horse was reflecting on her beauty when I first spotted her.

But, an incredibly gregarious burro let me know that he wanted my attention by sticking his handsome face in front of the camera.

Soon, I had two horses and two burros lined up at the fence, all wanting their necks scratched. I scritched as well as a dog person can. Look at this beautiful horse!

Eventually, I bid my new hoofed friends adieu and headed for home.

I spent most of my afternoon lying on a heating pad, trying to keep the back spasms at bay. But, as the afternoon wound down, the Duo let me know that it was time for our sunset hike. As we set out, R ran like the wind with his signature teeth and long tongue leading the way!

And the sunset was sublime.

A new day

Yesterday was misty and cold. Pogonip filled the air and blanketed the budding plants.

The wild crocuses, Pasqueflowers, clenched their petals tightly closed to wait out the nippy weather. They gathered water out of the air on the fine silky hairs covering their stems.

In the thick fog, animals moved close to me on the trail as if the usual rules no longer applied. The entire hundred-strong elk herd paraded within 50 yards of me, with each of them stopping in a gap between the trees to gaze at me. I must have been almost invisible in the fog.

Deer also disregarded me, walking deliberately within yards of me in the misty world.

Today, the world dawned fresh and clean.

The same Pasqueflower as I photographed yesterday, closed up tightly, opened its petals wide to soak up the sun.

The elk herd and I crossed paths again but, this time, they were more careful to keep their distance from me. Notice that a bull near the right of the photo has only one antler. Antler-shedding season must be starting.

After thundering up the hill in a single file line, they paused before disappearing into the trees.

K and I had a rebirth as well. We were out shortly after sunrise. K looked at the new day quizzically, wondering what it held for us.

For the first time since K's toe amputation, I started pedaling along my favorite path in the forest with her by my side. I remember when we decided to have her infected toe removed - I specifically thought of my favorite trail and that we might never be able to ride it together again. The vets warned me that losing a "weight-bearing toe" could mean the end of her running days.

Today, K loped effortlessly along our favorite trail, glowing with happiness.

We didn't go all the way to the end because I'm still very slowly rebuilding her strength. As we paused to turn around, she stared into my eyes. She knew... We both knew that we have the gift of more time together in the forest. We hugged and celebrated!

Like the plants and wildlife who waited out yesterday's nasty weather to revel in today's sun, K and I weathered a 6 month long ordeal but now we can shine again.

Here's to the Power of the Paw!

Wordless Wednesday

The Queen of the Red Rock

Sunrise in the Rockies

Duo at sunrise

King of our meadow

Winter meadow visitors

Sunset over the meadow