Friday Ice Climb

    Now doesn't that look like some thing you are just dying to do ?  I drove up Provo Canyon and watched these guys climb the ice. I wish I could say that it was me up doing that. I prefer drilling a hole on the ice to fish. It was cool to watch these two climb the ice. We have so much diversity in Utah. You can find so many things to do. When I came up with the name Wild Day Utah ,I had kind of forgotten some of the things that are here. When I started taking my camera again it made me stop and re-smell the roses. We were headed up to Park City and just happened to see the ice climbers. I hate to admit it, but I was just a little jealous. It made for some cool pictures. The video I apologise for being sideways. I got carried away with the Nikon and forgot to change from picture mode to video. I hope it will still give you a little taste of what you can go do this weekend.
     Lests see now, Bear hunting, Ice climbing, or Ice Fishing ! Just a start of things to do in Wild Day Utah. So much to do and so little time before the new year.
      Hope you have a happy new year. Be safe and enjoy all we have. I hope you will check back on Monday. Thanks for following me. It has given me a new look on life to share through pictures.

      See you Monday !                The Bear !!

The Real Bear Story

    Good Morning Utah !


   So it is time for the real bear story. Yes my version of what really happened on that day. I have to thank my wife for telling her side of the story. I'm not sure she will be walking back in the woods looking for bear again.
    Most of her story is correct. We do have a tradition of going in to the Tetons and Yellowstone Parks. She is learning well that a vacation there means 6:00 A.M. every morning. It may involve long walks for hours in rain snow,and mud. She has been with me them for all. Thank you babe.
    We were out looking for wildlife and did stop at a trail head. There were a couple of cars there. I ask a man coming out what he had seen and he said there was a bear and cub back in there. He didn't seen them though. A few more cars stopped and he told them. Now we had 5 or 6 cars of people all walking a half mile back in the woods to see this bear. We all walked back in and every one was looking all over for the bears. After 15 or 20 minutes no one had seen anything, and little by little they all left.  My wife wanted to leave. I told her that lets just wait a minute and let every one leave and I would find the bear. Of course she didn't believe me. This was not my first bear hunt. I told her to stay on the trail and I was going back in further to see if I could find them. Armed with my trust Nikon D 90 I snuck back in the woods. A few hundred yards in I sat down and just listened. Finally I heard a twig snap. I quietly walked a little closer in and spotted the bear and her cub. They were feeding on some berry bushes. I could see the direction they were feeding. I went back and got my wife.I told her we were going back around the bear and wait for her to come out to this clearing. I wasn't sure that the bears would end up there. Well as luck would have it, or maybe some hunting skills, here they came. We had walked out in the clearing and set down. I had my tripod set up low on the ground and was sitting down waiting for a shot. We watched as the bears fed on the edge of the clearing. The mom did pull down the thorny limbs and the cub would cry from the pokes. It was cool to watch. She had seen us but wasn't paying to much attention. While we we sitting there I told my wife, When it was time to leave we would stand up and slowly just walk away. At no circumstance RUN ! They would view that as a game or food, I repeated again,"Do Not Run". After 20 or 30 minuets for some strange reason the bear decided to turn and come strait out to us in the clearing. How lucky were we ? Can you imagine the pictures I'm going to get. I'm so excited, this is perfect. My prayers have been answered. Momma and her cub are headed right for us and only 75 yards away. Well my excitement was met 10 fold from my wife ! She said honey we need to leave. No way was I leaving until I got the shots I wanted. At about 50 yards I'm still shooting away. My wife is getting mad and wants to leave. Not even the little chipmunk in the picture would have left. It is our lucky day. I'm trying to shoot pictures and she is literally pulling me away by my sweater. I turned and said not yet I will tell you when. The bear picked up its pace and headed right for us. At this point my wife got mad and said I am getting out of hear. I snapped a few quick pictures and she stood up and Started to run away as fast as she could. I stood up and yelled at the top of my voice ,"Don't Run" .  She slowed down a little and hurried away. I turn and walked away not looking back and we left for the car. We were three quarters of a mile away from the car. When we got back I was so excited to see the pictures. I knew we were fine all the time !  OK maybe 30yards was a little close. She was moving pretty fast our way. You have to love the wild out doors. You can imagine how this story will grow over the years.

      Thanks for checking in today.  My wife did say bear skat ! I did take a picture for you so you could she she was not lying about her story. You know what they say, where there is bear skat , there's BEARS !    Have a great day

   The Bear !!!

His and Hers True Bear Stories !

   Good Day Utah

    I hope you will enjoy the pictures today as much as I loved shooting  them. They came at great cost. Well at least that's what she said. Women just don't understand the need to get great pictures ,even at great cost ! 
    The stories you are about to hear are true. They are being told from two different perspectives, my wife's first and then the real story from me. Sorry hun just being honest.  
    My wife has consented to tell her side of the story as she witnessed it first.  This happened a year ago on a trip to Tetons National Park.

     OK, so I know I'm probably out numbered at this by the readers because most of you are men...at this point. but this is truly the way it happened....you have to remember Testosterone is what his story is all about! Mine is reality! So we have made it a tradition to go to Yellowstone Park on our Anniversary every year So as usual we go out looking for animals as most people do. So we pull off as we see a lot of people off to the side of the road. Thinking that we are going to see a Moose or something. We get out and to our surprise this guy and his wife say to us quietly , that there is a momma and a baby bear up the path....well every one else happened to hear or just follow us. I was a bit nervous but my husband says lets go. As we hurry up the trail. I said I don't want to be first...let them eat the people in front and then she won't want us...OK so I really didn't feel that way. As we approach the area there is fresh bear scat but no momma and no baby. My Husband tells me to just wait he'll find the bear and her cub! I'm like well aren't you the  mighty hunter? But yes he did show me that he was. All the people faded away down the path and we just stayed in the back waiting for every one to leave  and they did. So we sat for a few minutes and to my surprise he found her feeding her baby berries on the other side of these bushes. So we decided to go around and look at them from an open view.  It was really amazing as she is pulling the berry bush down feeding and poking her baby with the long thorns on them. You could hear the baby cry as they stabbed her in the face it was sad. But as I was enjoying the scene there goes my hubby shooting.....his Nikon that is!  Until the momma decides that she is a little tired of us taking pictures. I said honey she's knows were here!  He says she always knew we were here! Oh I said well she isn't very happy look at her face....He says hold on were fine! I said ummm know we're not fine she is heading this way! Very aggressively !   I think we should go! He says were fine! I said " I'm not fine she is coming over to us quite quickly! So I began to walk towards my husband demanding that he quits taking pictures and goes. He at least got up off the ground and I said I'm leaving and I pulled on his shirt to make him go too!   I know that was dumb, OK? but I was a bit freaked out at this point! so I started to walk fast, ok so I began to run...I figured I'm not staying behind to get eaten and if my goofy husband does ? Well I kill him! no pun intended!
     OK so I was raised in a family of 6 girls no brothers and never went hunting with my dad and  I hadn't taken bear one o one! So yes I ran!   My husband says DON'T RUN!  my thoughts were well your the dork that stayed behind to take pictures....but of course I do love him and hated to have him get attacked and eaten up by a bear! . So I listened and walked fast! Waited for him to catch up and we never looked back. Thanking the lord all the way down the path....That a paw didn't grab me from behind! That's my story an I'm sticking to it!          

                                 Thank you for your side of the story babe.
     Wow, now that we have that out of the way!  Thank you  for shareing your version of the story. I hate to tell you  love but that is not exactly what happend. The good thing is that if you will come back tomorrow I will tell the rest of the story.  Enjoy the pictures and come back Thursday and I will tell the real story. Oh and it wont be full of testosterone !   Make it a good day.

                                 The Bear !!

     P.S. come back and get the truth !  
    

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

  Good day Utah !

   I fired up the Harley yesterday and took a short ride. Did I say short ? The sun was shinning and it felt so good. Well it was just a little colder than I thought it was. The hog barely turned over, which should have been my first clue. Of course it didn't sink in that it was really December 26th, until I was about two miles down the road. I dressed with my leathers . I  knew that I would be  fine. You know that feeling you get when eating ice cream to fast, and you get a headache? Well that was the way my face and head felt with just my sun glasses on. Did I mention that it was 27 degrees out side ?  Ya ,Ya I know, but it felt so nice before I left . If my mother were hear she would have kicked my butt ! Well, it was a slow drive back to the house. All in all it was a great short ride. I love to hear the Harley purr. Just to get out for a few minuets was amazing. It made me more anxious for spring to get hear soon.

     The pictures were from a ride that my wife and I took up Mirror Highway in the Uinta National Forest. 42 miles of some of the best bike ridding in the country. You can start the ride in a T shirt in the valley, and end up with leathers on at the top. The highway starts from about 7,000 feet and climbs to nearly 12,000 feet. The High Uintas Wilderness was established by congress in 1984. It includes 460,000 acres and is the largest wilderness area in Utah. There are over 1,000 natural lakes and  more than 500 of them  support populations of game fish. There are over 400 miles of streams. It you enjoy Wild Utah then this is a must go see. I can't wait to get back in the mountains again. Hope this will give you a taste of what you can see. There is so much to see and do there. It would take a life time to explore all that is there.

    So once again, get out and see all we have in this beautiful state !

     You have to check in  to my blog tomorrow. I'm going to have a true Bear story. I hope my wife will cooperate with me. I want to tell the," Real Story" and I am hoping she will tell her side of the story. She was with me when I took the pictures. Funny' we really don't tell the same story. Let it be known that my version is the correct one :) This is a must come back and read story !  Have a great Tuesday .  Please check in tomorrow and don't miss this one.

                               The Bear !!!!!

Day After Christmas Blues !

     Yes the day after Christmas and I'm getting trunky all ready. I'm feeling the need to get out in this snow less valley and see some wild Utah. That made me take a look at some pictures from this fall and get pumped up for a fishing trip. My son -in- law invited me to go to Otter Creek and ice fish this Saturday. I can't wait to get my feet on some ice. It can been one of the best times to fish all year. Nothing like drilling through a foot of ice,  and 15 degree temperatures. It is cool when you walk out on the clear ice, and you can see right through the ice into the lake. While you are out there new ice is forming all the time. You will be sitting there and can hear the ice cracking as you fish ! Many times those cracks will start hundreds of yards away and travel right through where you are sitting.At first it makes you wonder if it is ok, but they tell you that is a good sign of new ice. It does kind of freak you out to see and hear. Funny how if the fish start biting you forget all about the cold  and ice, and get so excited ! I have to admit to the non fisher person this my seem a little bizarre. For those die hard fisherman who love it and will stay out all day, not so.

     The pictures are from Strawbery Resevior. This was in September when the Kokanee Samon are spawning up the river. They usually spawn on there fourth year of life. They quit feeding and start their spawn. The males get their bright color and develop a hook jaw. After they complete their spawn both males and females die. If you haven't seen this spawn at Strawbery , you need to check it out next fall. It is worth the drive. 

    Get out and enjoy Wild Day Utah. Can't wait to report and have pictures on Saturday. Be sure to check in tomorrow and see the shots. Have a great day.

         The Bear !!!

What Happens When You Don't Eat All Day !

 Thank goodness it's Friday !

  Yesterday was one of those days where you try to fit every thing in to one day. Every where you go there were so many people. The city was like a bee's nest. Seemed like we all were trying to go to the same place. Maybe it's just the country boy in me that makes me feel that way. The roads were full of cars. There were a lot of shoppers and people getting ready for Christmas. All we were missing was one or two feet of SNOW !

    With all of the going on's I didn't stop to eat . Just grabbed a little some thing here and there. I didn't make my usual gym work out in the morning.  Some how or an other I was going to make it there eventually. Well the day progressed ant it was 7:00 P.M. So I was hungry but just mixed a pre work out drink and off I went. I had a good work out but continued to feel more hunger pains. With all the sweets around this time of year I have done well . I thought it would do me some good to not eat as much today. Well I'm not sure that was such a good idea. So I left the gym and started home. I think its kind of like food shopping when you are hungry, every Neon sign jumped right in my face !  Now I mean every one. I didn't realize there were so many great places to eat as I witnessed last night. That is the reason for the pictures today. I added insult to injury and stopped to shoot a few of my favorite places. OK ,what was I thinking? 8:00 P.M. and I'm out taking pictures of these places, and people are going into eat ! Some how peanut butter and jelly was not sounding all that great. Well so much for not eating all day. Next time I'm going in !  

    Have a great day in Wild Day Utah ! Have a Merry Christmas and hope to see you all after Christmas on Monday.  Merry Christmas                 The Bear !!

   P.S.   The gas picture is just because I'm glad the price is still dropping !

        Lets hope it continues :)

 Oh and thanks Obama for all you do !   :)

Sun Starting to Rise

   Good morning Utah !

    Thought I would start off the day with a few shots of a sun rise from two weeks ago. The morning started out to be so dark. Then the sun started to peek over the mountains to the east. The clouds began to break up and streaks of light were shooting up through the clouds. Funny how my first thoughts of the morning were , here comes the storm. Just a little down and depressing. As the sun started to peek through the clouds my whole thought process changed.  I was watching a beautiful sun rise unfold. Then as the colors grew richer I started to see the potential of what was about to take place. There are no filters or camera manipulation to get the colors. For the first few minutes it looked so gloomy.Then it changed to be a sun rise to remember ! The blues, blacks, orange, grays,and yellows, were way cool to watch.

    The last picture is 30 minuets later. By then the black clouds had disappeared and the sky softened up. We were looking at total Sunshine an hour later. Pretty cool how that can change so fast. Funny how my attitude changed right along with the clouds.

     So when it looks so dark and unsure just give it a few moments and it will change . You will see the the good that will come, and it will brighten your day.   Wow that was a little to heavy for me . Get out there and enjoy this beautiful day. This season brings out the best in all of us . There is a reason for the season ! Get out there and find it.    Thanks for following my blog .

                        The Bear !!!!!!!

Alfred Hitchcock The Birds !

    I know this will kind of date me but if you blow up today's photo it looks like the movie , The Birds. This was taken out side my back door this morning. I have never seen this many Starlings in my life !
    The Birds is a 1963 horror movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on  the 1950 short story by Daphine du Maurier. It depicts Bodega Bay California which is, suddenly and for unexplained reasons , attacked by violent birds. Some of you will remember the movie well.
     I noticed a few birds flying into the spring that is in the one corner of the pasture. Then they just started coming, and coming till there were thousands.  Seriously I have never witnessed this many birds at one time . I hurried in to get my camera. As soon as I opened the sliding door they all began to fly.  The picture doesn't tell the story as well as I wish . The other thing that was so impressive was the sound that they created. Watching them take off made my thankful cows don't fly ! Can you imagine ?
     Every day brings so many things to see and wonder about. Thanks for checking in and seeing what each new day brings. This blog has made me sit up and take notice of every day events that happen right under our feet. Wild Day in Utah Has made me thankful for each day.
      Get out there and enjoy !  Have a great day.  Thanks

                        The Bear !!!

Shoe Tree ?

   Good morning Utah !

    Wow this is a little random but none the less interesting. This photo was taken this weekend going down to Sanpete County. I have passed by this tree several times and decided I had to stop . I notice every trip down here the shoe numbers are growing. It always brings a smile to my face. It has been said, " Always wear expensive shoes, People notice ".  So that being the case many of these are very expensive shoes and I did notice. There must be 200 pair of every kind of shoe you can imagine. Tennis shoes are the most prevalent. Now I think I understand an old pair of shoes , but several of these are hardly worn.
     Looking at these shoes made me wonder where they had been, and why are they here ? Have you ever heard the expression : Walk a mile in my shoes, and then judge me? I look and see so many stories that could be made about each pair of shoes.It might be kind of fun to look at each pair and try to imagine the story behind the shoe. Robin Hecht quotes." Is it time to go home yet ? I keep clicking these damn shoes, but nothing happens " .  So if nothing happens do you throw them in the tree ?  John J Plomp quotes." The only thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents". Then I could imagine how some one came home today and had to explain why his new Nike's are gone !  Only in Utah .
     Wild Day in Utah can have many meanings. Some times things just catch my attention . Life is to short to not see all we pass by.   Have a great day ! 

                  The Bear !!!

Look What I Found Sunday !

      The Ring Necked Pheasant used to be a common sight in most parts of Utah. Now you are lucky if you ever see one along the road. As a boy I remember going hunting pheasants in Sanpete County. My grandfather had an old black lab dog that we couldn't  wait to take out hunting. I don't think there is anything more exciting than flushing a pheasant up. It startles you every time. The anticipation walking alone the ditch bank or along the river , then all of the sudden he flyes. This love grew till I was a young man and bought my first Brittney Spaniel. I spent every night after work teaching this dog to hunt. Watching a dog go on point ,showing there is a pheasant hidding is so cool. There used to be birds down every back road. Now you are lucky to ever see one along the road. These pheasants are run aways from a hunting preserve. Still they are one of the most beautiful game birds in Utah. I was excited to hurry and snap a few shots before they all flew off. It always make my day to see any of Utah's wildlife. 

    I love all the colors that they show. He stood up so tall as if he was posing for the camera.  Click on the pictures to enlarge and enjoy!   
         Get out there and get the camera rolling.

            I have some crazy shots from this weekend . Be sure to check in tomorrow.  You don't want to miss the Shoe Tree !      Have a great day. Get out and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah !        The Bear !!!

To Cool Not To See !

  If you are any where in the Lehi Utah area you have to go see this house. We took a drive last night to see the lights in the valley. There are a ton of homes that have gone above and beyond . With that said this home is incredible ! People were parked for a block in line waiting for the next car to leave so they could get close and see. There is a lighted sign that said 90.7 FM. I waited my turn and finally got to the house. It was worth the wait. I took a few pictures and then took a little video. The video is not great coming from my Nikon camera, but it will give you a taste. You have to click on the pictures and blow them up to appreciate what is there. The video even includes people walking in the home and cars going by. I tried to wait out the cars but it was never ending. I had to rethink my little complaining about decorating for Christmas. This family had to plan this all year. I will have to say I could have sat there for an hour and watched the show. It is choreographed to music and totally crazy!  Way to go whom ever you are. You got me in the spirit of Christmas.  So Cool. Check it out. Turn up the volume, it" ROCKS"  Get out and enjoy . Have a great weekend and check back on Monday. Keep that camera ready !

The Bear !!

" Charlie Brown Aint Got Nothing On Me "

    Good Thursday morning.
   
     I had to highlight this little Dwarf Lemon tree. It has a story that has to be told . I was getting seeds this last spring to plant in the garden. I past this stand with all theses cool looking lemon trees. Yes this is Utah and not likely to be the lemon capitol of the world. We were up to about the 60 degree point by this time of year. I'm a sucker for plants.Against my wife's better judgment I bought a tree. All summer it grew new leaves and grew like crazy. Then about two months ago it started getting blossoms on every branch. There was a fragrance that smelled the house up . I would bring it in every night and take it out every morning. Then the lemons started to appear. then all the leaves started to curl and fall off. So this morning the last leaf fell off. All that is left are these three lemons. I trimmed the tree back and I hate to say it , but it reminds me of Charlie Browns Christmas tree. Guess I'm a bit of an optimist. The lemons take about 6 to 8 months to mature. My wife is buying lights today for the tree. She just has to rub in that she told me so. There will be follow up pictures as they continue to grow, or not !
I'm not throwing the towel in yet. Get those lights honey.

 This picture was last nights sunset on Timpanogos Mountain. The new snow and crisp air along with a touch of sunlight set it off perfect. This bit of sun light was just there for about 10 minutes. I love to catch the sunrise and sunset. It can come and go so fast that most people miss it every day.

The last picture is again of this buck. I think he has decided that I'm harmless. He gave me the opportunity to take a lot of shots. We still don't have enough snow to bring the wild life down the mountains. I can't wait to get out and find a little more Wild Day Utah shots. Thanks for checking in . Have a great day . Enjoy all that is around you.
 Click on the pictures and enlarge them . Thanks !
                 
  The Bear !!

P.S.  Please Click on and become a follower !

Are There Things That Make You Ask Why ?

 Good day Utah ! 
     
   So I'm driving down the Road today wondering what to take pictures of and things just hit me .  Yes this is a little random today, but so am I. I see this orchard and every tree is still full of apples. With the snow we received last night and cold temperatures, I had to ask why. I don't understand the reason behind leaving all the apples on the trees. Maybe it was for the birds for winter. Maybe it was for the deer. Maybe, Maybe, Maybe ? Well for what ever reason they were to pretty to pass up. Seems like they may have had a better use.  Go figure !

     The next thing that caught my eye Was this group of pigeons.  The snow was falling and the wind was blowing. It was along a busy road.  They are huddled tightly on this power line. Now wouldn't it be just a little easier to go find a nice barn and cuddle inside ? Maybe they were enjoying the 27 degree weather. Balancing on that wire had to be fun. It might just have been the wind blowing through their feathers. Well again I ask why ?

 The last picture is of a coyote with his dinner in mouth. It was pretty cool to see. I watched him catch his dinner and then start toward the road . I set up my camera and he came right over to the road as if to say ,"Look What I Caught " Click on the photo to enlarge and see it better. Not sure this a why picture ,but it is a strange one. Kind of goes with the day.

   Well again it is fun to see things in a different way some times . How can you not love a Wild Day in Utah ?  Have a great day. Get out and enjoy the small things.  

                                The Bear !!!!!

  

Moon Over the Mountain

   Good Monday Morning !  Lot of fun stuff this weekend. 
    I thought the moon coming over the mountain the night before the lunar eclipse was so cool. There are a lot of pictures out there of the eclipse. So I thought maybe this one would be better. That is Mt Timpanogos next to that bright moon. It made for an interesting weekend !  Hope you were able to see this one.

     I got up this morning hoping to catch another buck this morning but Cody was there with his girls. I took a few pictures of the does and fawns. These two seemed to be way close all the time. They stayed together where ever they went.

    Shot several more of Cody, but hope to get the non typical that is coming in to. I love to see any buck that is out there.

     I Walked up the mountain Saturday and took some pictures of the valley.  I will post them Tuesday. Get out and enjoy .  Snow is coming and that will start a whole new chapter ! 

The Bear !!

It Moose be Friday !

   Thank goodness it's Friday ! Had to scan the moose in because it was taken with my old N80 Nikon camera. You can see in the back ground another moose. There were actually 3 there. I came upon this bull courting a cow in heat. She also had a calf with her. I watched them bed down and then get up to feed several times. I began a stock in on them to get some pictures. The cow paid way more attention to me than the bull. When she would get up to feed the bull would jump up and not let her get only a few feet away. I got a little to close and she laid her ears back and gave me the warning sign that I was in her space. I know they can be kind of unpredictable during the breeding season so I back out and left well enough alone.
   You have to check the next picture out pretty good to see the bear. This sow had a yearling cub with her and was feeding on berries from some bushes. She came a little close for comfort . I did get some good pictures of them.  I am going to save them for another day. I want to tell you the story and then let my wife tell the story. She was with me and will probably not go chase bear again. You will like to hear both sides of the story. Although mine is the correct version. Hope she doesn't read this. Its kind of a sore spot that I like to rub in on occasion. Funny how we men just can't leave it alone some times. She is a trooper and has covered a few mountains with me.
      The last picture is of a bull we saw in the rut. As you can see we did find him and he did smell us ! I was able to get a few good shots and then he was gone. Can't wait to get back out and hit the mountains.
     Click on the photos to enlarge. Thanks for following me . Have a great weekend. I will see you on Monday.  Get out and enjoy the great out doors !

                    The Bear !!

Time for the Gym

    I have the breakfast table set !  When the rest of the family gets up I always offer to make breakfast for them. Doesn't that just look sooo good ? So it's morning routine as usual. I get up and have this lovely breakfast, then off to Golds Gym. The C4 is a pre work out energy boost. Now if you ask if it works, I will tell you it really does. At my young age I need just a little more energy. I can tell when I don't take the supplement.The Sizeon is a good during work out drink. It helps muscle recovery time .

     For lunch today it is Mini Spooners. This may not be the best,but it works for today.

 Now for dinner it will be a little steak on the grill. Now I'm not sure this would be the best way to eat and try and maintain a good weight, but as you can see from the last picture I have to to be able to have my evening snack. I just keep putting on a few pounds and can't figure out why. I really hate to run but I'm almost out of CHOCOLATE !  Have a great day !   

  There will be more wildlife pictures tomorrow.                    

          The Bear !!

                                                          

 

          The cookies don't have any frosting. So I think that makes them ok :) I might be wrong, don't quote me on that one.