Category: Nature

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Black bear

Yesterday, early evening, Karl and I were outside enjoying the evening. We had been playing soccer but were on a break – standing and watching down the drop behind the house toward my nearest neighbor. Suddenly, several deer, at a dead run, ran from our right to left on the game trail at the bottom of the drop. Karl was excited in a different way than just deer…And then I saw the bear. The bear was not chasing the deer, but was on the move and the deer ahead of it….

No photos. I took Karl with me inside – got my camera, but didn’t see the bear again and I think it crossed the road vs turning and crossing my property.

But last year, on September 10, is when I saw a bear last…

Mama black bear and twin cubs – on the same game trail except they made the left turn and crossed my property, south of my house – between my house and the road. I was inside working. Karl was in the side yard. Karl sounded the bear alarm which is different than deer, different than squirrel, different than FedEx/UPS is here…different enough to get my immediate attention and I saw them.

I tore outside grabbing my bear spray (pepper spray) as I went. Karl had seen bears before, but always when we were both inside. He has smelled them and their scat on the trail. But this was the first “up close and personal” kind of encounter and a female with 2 cubs…I didn’t want any kind of confrontation.

Turns out, I needn’t have worried.

Karl barked the entire time and followed but did not chase them. It was exactly as I would have liked – I wouldn’t want him too close and I didn’t want him making them run – they need whatever food stores and fat they have – and although I love seeing them, I don’t want them getting the idea that around houses and people is good as that means their death sentence. Karl herded them across and off the property – barking and moving close enough to keep them moving, but not so close that they (or MAMA!!!) felt seriously threatened. Perfect!

Karl was out with them – I had only voice control, but I never had to invoke it. Karl, Karelian Beardog, did his job and did it well.

When I saw how Karl was working, I ran inside for my camera…but as for me and my job as photographer…I didn’t have the same success. You can see that they are bears though….right????

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In Jest

Horsemint, bee balm and some other genus name go with this wildflower, another that can get out of hand apparently, but this is the first time I remember seeing it and I’m pretty sure I’d remember it as it makes me laugh. They look silly – like a court jester’s hat – which is what I’ve been calling them in my head until I finally looked them up yesterday.

I read briefly about bee balm…that’s the name I like, but I’ll probably remember horsemint… – it has medicinal uses:

Bee Balm is edible and medicinal, the entire plant above ground is edible used as a pot herb, and it is also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. The plant is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing aromatic and medicinal tea. An infusion of young Bee Balm leaves used to form a common beverage in many parts of the United States.

Bee Balm leaves and flowers and stems are used in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. An infusion is medicinal used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, and gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus). Externally, it is a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections. Bergamot’s distinctive aroma, found in both the leaf and flower is wonderful for use in potpourri.

It appears to be something of a cure-all.

They have been blooming for some time and continue. At the moment, they are the only thing of color. But, I might just pick a few for my desk – a minty fragrance and a look that makes me laugh would be just the ticket for a Monday morning!

Photo taken 7/19/2010 at the edge of my woods

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Echo Lake in the morning

Echo Lake…due east of home, along a dirt and gravel road over the foothills. On a weekday morning, there is minimal activity on the water – a few fisherman, a few waterskiers.

We access this piece of lakeshore from a public fishing access site. There is a nice trail around an inlet that provides plenty in the way of things to explore for Karl and beautiful vistas for me. We have a long amble as it is cool now, but getting warm on its way to hot.

Echo Lake in the morning.

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Into every life a little rain must fall…

…but oh, the raindrops left behind are beautiful!

The squalls that were only rumbles of thunder and dark clouds at my house, must have rained plenty in Bigfork. This photo from Wayfarer’s park when Karl and I walked this morning: Pointed Mariposa and Indian Paintbrush. (Double-click this one – so gorgeous full screen!)

At home today, a repeat of yesterday, but today’s fun DID include rain. Green continues in yards, pastures and on the mountainsides :)!

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One fine day

Everything that is Montana in the Spring is in this photo: green grass and trees, blue sky, white clouds…dark clouds, snow rapidly retreating from the mountain tops.

The air is as clear and clean as it looks. A breeze comes up off and on and the dark clouds skirt the mountain tops but at noon, when Karl and I walked it felt like the late Spring day that it was.

A day a little warm in the sun for a black dog who isn’t quite rid of his winter undercoat. He’s waiting for me in a spot of shade.

Meanwhile, back at the house…

Mr. Bob gets a somewhat slower start to his Monday.

One fine day all around :)!