I Wonder What Happend To the feathers On His Head ?

                              Yes its the Turkey Buzzard !

 Even though he is not an American Bald Eagle, he is still a real unique bird. The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) is found all over Utah. It roosts in large community groups. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of bird,its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses. These buzzards were just a block away from my house. They get their name from the coloring that some what reminds you of the wild turkey. My wife said they are just waiting around our house to see when I leave. She swears something on that mountain is going to get me.  I get a pretty good scolding every time I come home with a new story. You would think its my first time wandering alone in the mountains. Those of you who know me know that it is my second nature. Love you anyway honey.
      The buzzards are pretty cool looking, and are graceful flyers. Unless you are really close you would think it was an eagle flying. They usually fly in small groups and hang and roost together. With a head like that I'm sure no one else want to hang with them. They serve a good purpose in helping clean up the dead. How lucky are they ?

    

       When you see a close up of them, they really do look like they have the turkeys head. Well they were fun to photograph and hope you will look a little closer next time they are circling over your head.

                               Hope it is a great weekend !  Get out and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah !

                                                                                                                          The Bear !!!!

A Gentle Walk At About 8000 ft !!

                                                              So What Is It ?

     You have to look at the above picture pretty hard to see what it really is. I went on a 6 hour walk Monday climbing to about 8000 feet. I started at about 5400 feet in elevation. I ended up at the top of a huge ridge covered with snow. It was a beautiful day. The really small flowers are just starting to grow. I walk around the rim and started down a narrow backbone ridge. It was only about 10 to 20 feet wide and cliff drop offs on both sides. I had just left the snow line into the pines along the ridge when 30 yards in front of me was this animal in the thick oak and pines. I really couldn't tell what it was. It kinda startled me to see it. My first thought was it was a bear. I couldn't see its legs or head. I was pretty excited thinking this will be cool to watch. Well as soon as it picked up its head I could see it was a bull moose. They shed their antlers in December so he just had a couple of inches of antler growth. Funny thing though he didn't want to move so I could get down the ridge. He was below me about 30 yards down a decline. I made some noise and tried to get him to move away. He wasn't going anywhere. So being the mountain man that I think I am I started toward him and just kept talking to him. He put his ears back and gave me a 5 yard false charge. Yes that did get my adrenaline going. I backed up to reconsider my options. He was not the least  bit scared of me. I took a few steps forward and tried to get him to move again, and once again his ears went strait back as if to say " Hey I warned you once don't you get it ? "  I slowly backed off going back up hill and found a way to work below him. It was steep and took me an extra 45 minuets to get back below him on the trail. How could you not love his defiance of me getting into his space. I thought that was my trail, but As usual I was wrong. Nature is so cool. I loved the experience and would do it again in a heart beat.
     The next picture is to help you remember that you always have to watch where you set your fanny down even if you are at 8000 feet. Again reminded that it is not my mountain ! Big or small there is always something to prick your butt to remind you to tread lightly. Wow so many lessons in just one 6 hour hike. Oh and just for your info, If you feel something poking you in the butt, it is not always a good idea to reach around with your hand to see what it is. :)
      The few little flowers that were coming up were worth the trip alone." I Love the Mountain" . I came home reminded again how small and insignificant I really am. So thankful for the appreciation for what we have in our back yard.   Hope you have a great day. Get out and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah !
                                                                                                                   The Bear  !!

Spring !! Yes !!

Ive been waiting for spring to get here.This has been a weird shed hunting season. I haven't had much luck at all. With that said there has been some way cool biking days.   Along with several great walks in the mountains.  I always find some thing up there that interests me. Not sure what that mask I found was, but I am sure my wife did not want me to bring it home. My son was with me hunting elk sheds and all we found was this sweet bone and a few elk droppings to prove we had been there.   The top picture is up American Fork Canyon. My wife and I took a great afternoon drive on the Harley.  Yes that is the next best thing to walking in the mountains. The water was a beautiful turquoise blue color,with snow still on Timp. I know this will just be the beginning of many rides to come. I think the older I get the slower I walk and the more I really see. I remember walking with my grandfather and thinking he was slow. Funny how now I am starting to see what he would see. My only regret is that I didn't listen. I think we get so caught up in what we want to tell others that we miss the opportunity to learn and gain a new insight that they may see. I hope as you see some of the crazy pictures that I take, you will look just a little harder for the simple things. We are all in such a hurry that we don't take time to stop and smell the elk poop. OK maybe that one shouldn't be on the list.

            Have a great week !!                           The Bear !!!