The natural world, life, and dogs.
Late December in Idaho's Salmon River Mountains means snow, some years more than others. This year, so far, is a little below average, although I'm not sure there is such a thing as "average" anymore. With climate change, I've noticed that the snow arrives later in the fall - December rather than November - and… Continue reading Fences III
If you spend time in the outdoors, eventually something will go wrong. It's a law of nature. But if you survive, those epic failures become the best stories! We’ve all read about amazing accomplishments in the wild, but now it’s time to tell us about the not-so-great times and what you learned from them. Share… Continue reading Epic Trail Fail #3: Malamute Perfume
As I warned in my recent post Fences, I have tons of photos of rural fences and gates, most taken while walking my dogs in the valley. Since it's 2F this morning, rather than venture outside, here's a group of photos from last year, December 21-25, 2018. Except the last two photos, which I just… Continue reading Fences II
It was a déjà vu kind of morning. I was following the boys along an old Forest Service road, a couple inches of fresh wet snow on top of the ice, snow and slush mix left from the last snowfall a few days ago. We were walking an out-and-back route near home. Early on Conall… Continue reading Same As it Ever Was
In the rural West, fences are ubiquitous. Love them or hate them, they're everywhere, marking property boundaries, keeping livestock in or out (or not). Some fences are all wood planks or posts, others wood or metal posts with barbed wire. Wooden gates are quickly being replaced with metal tube gates (and fencing) which aren't nearly… Continue reading Fences
Winter is beginning to show signs of arriving in Idaho's Salmon River Mountains, my home. I love winter. I love snow, almost as much as my dogs do, except I don't roll in it. Having real winters with snow - as opposed to Seattle's dreary constant drizzle with the occasional snowpocalypse that brings everything to… Continue reading Tracks and Bones
If you spend time in the outdoors, eventually something will go wrong. It's a law of nature. But if you survive, those epic failures become the best stories! We’ve all read about amazing accomplishments in the wild, but now it’s time to tell us about the not-so-great times and what you learned from them. Share… Continue reading Epic Trail Fail: The Grand Canyon
One of the delights of living here is the ability to see so much wildlife. This morning, bald eagles were putting on a show. Driving home from caring for cats of friends who are out of town, I saw some large birds flying over the snow-covered country road, near where cattle were feeding on hay… Continue reading Bald Eagles
...the gift of living boldly, close to nature, with my dogs. Simple things, really. The following is a photo essay of thanks-giving, using shots taken over the last three days. I have so many things to be thankful for, but in the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday I'll focus on the current season. I'm thankful… Continue reading Giving Thanks For…
This afternoon, driving by pastures I regularly walk or drive past, I observed something unexpected, and intriguing. Rounding a tight curve in the gravel road, I saw one of the yearlings in the adjacent pasture running - full speed, for quite a distance - in the same direction I was traveling. My first thought was… Continue reading Animal Sentience: Cows
Wild Sensibility 