Just Dreaming Today

                                       Just doing a bit of dreaming today

     I was looking through a few pictures today and dreaming about spring just around the corner. I can't wait. I even went out and fired up the Harley to make sure we were ready to roll. I think this counts as a Wild Day in Utah !  I can't wait to bike up to some of the most pristene lakes in the world right here in Utah. Something about water on the mountain that just takes you to a totally different place in your mind. The cares and worries of the world just take a back seat to the rush of the water dancing down the mountain. The smells, birds, wildlife, and plant growth beg you to stop and take note. You can't see a waterfall and not stop to check it out or cool down your feet. Ok I guess I am dreaming. Wow see what happens when I get the photo album out.
     I'm not trying to wish away this winter.Really I'm not . It's just that I can't wait to get back into the mountains and get the Nikon fired up. My wife and I love to take all the back roads we can find and really appreciate the beauty of Utah. I think I missed my calling. I know Utah Travel council is calling me. This day is just full of dreams isn't it ? Well I hope you will enjoy the pictures. Maybe it will make you get excited for spring. I CAN"T WAIT  !!!

                                     Have a great day.                 The Bear !!!

New Snow Finally

                                    Good Day Wild Utah

     I couldn't resit taking a photo of these new born calves trying to figure out the new white stuff. My son and I were driving through Salt Creek Canyon in Juab county and they just caught my eye. We were as excited as the new calves were. It's a different kind of year.
     These little Red Angus calves were walking pretty carefully on the new fallen snow. I don't think they wanted to get their feet wet.There was about a foot of new snow. We hadn't seen that much all winter.It was actually fun to see them plod along in the snow heading to meet the rest of the heard. I took a little video thinking this may be the only new snow we see this year. Click on the clip and watch them. It doesn't take a lot to get me to stop and take a few pictures. Some days just shooting some thing like this makes me feel better. It put a smile on my face. Simple things are pretty cool when you stop and watch them. These moms were taking good care of there babies. They would not let them get only a few feet away from them. That connection is incredibly strong as soon as they hit the ground and are born. From the smell and sound of their bawl the mother can pick them out of a heard. Cool to watch the connection.    Get out there and enjoy the day !
                                                                                                                        The Bear !!

What You Do When The Hunting Trip Goes Bad ???

                         Good Morning Wild Day Utah

     Well I missed posting a blog yesterday to go on a cougar hunt. The new snow gets all the dog boys out to go chase. They get up early with the new snow and search for cat tracks. They need them as fresh as they can find them so the scent is still in the track. When the sun hits the track it looses its scent. Time also makes it harder to track. You want to get on the track as soon as possible to have a chance to catch up with the cougar. Well as luck would have it we had no success and called it a day early. That happens a lot hunting cougar. I had hoped to tag along on a photo hunt. Next time :(
     I stopped at my fathers house to see him while I was down there. I could smell the bread baking. At least luck was on my side for fresh baked bread. Before my sweet mother past away three years ago my father wanted her to teach him how to make her superb bread. She baked his bread all her life and he was not going to eat store bought bread. He has become a Master Bread Maker. Nothing makes home so much like it used to be as bread in the oven !  Bless your heart dad. While there I had a bowl of his famous chicken soup with hot buttered bread. What a great stop.
     I had to show his handy work and a short video of the bread just out of the oven. Not a bad trade off for no cougar.  Life is good !  Have a great day !
                                                                                               The Bear !!!!

P.S .  Happy Valentines  Day

The mud on the truck is all I had to show for hunting :( 

BUFF FRIDAY :)

                                                        Good Day Wild Utah !!

     Got you on the Buff Friday. Dont' lie to me ! I had a few Buffalo pictures left from a couple of weeks ago so had to post them. I've been sporting a cold  / flue this past week. Just got back to the gym after a six day lay off. Wow did it kick my butt. Added to the fact that during the sick time I ate like a buffalo. Not sure this obsession to work out is all its cracked up to be. I keep thinking of all the food items I've cut out of my diet , and all the supplements and vitamins I take. I couldn't sleep with out Tylenol PM. Sure hate to jump up a pant size though. So I guess the workout will go on.  

 I'm going to draw out some day and hunt his awesome animal. My wife and I were watching them pretty close at Antelope Island. If you will turn up the sound and play the video you will hear that she was just a bit worried. The buffalo had a magpie on his back and it was irritating him. OK he was getting down right mad. He got up and was coming our way. He wasn't mad at us just that turd bird. It was getting a little close for comfort. I kinda have a bad reputation for getting to close. You can read an animals body language and know when its time to back off. I've always been pretty good at that.  "Knock on wood " ! For some reason it's always fun to try and get her goat. Sorry babe it really is. She just gets so excited. I don't think my luck will ever wear out. I'm not sure she thinks the bird was the turd. I don't ever take anyone with me that I can't out run. JK

Have a great weekend. Get out and enjoy !            The Bear !!

Quail Are Back !!

                                                           Good Wild Day Utah !!

     Just a little snow at a time and all in the mountains. It doesn't get any better than that. It has been nice not to shovel snow one time this winter. The good thing is that with the little snow and mild temperatures the wildlife have wintered well. It has made it harder to find them because they are not forced down into the valleys and lower elevations. It makes it interesting to go get pictures. When I do get the chance it's way cool.

     These little guys come to visit my house occasionally. Some days I'm not sure what I am going to post and they come to help me out. California Quail are a beautiful bird. I shot several pictures of them and then tried to move in on them. I took a little video of them feeding before I got to close and they ran off to make some one elses day. Doesn't take a lot to make me happy when it comes to wildlife. I get pretty fascinated with all we have in Utah. Click on the video and watch them throw the leaves in search something to eat underneath. Have a great day. Thanks again for following my blog.
                                                        
                                                     The Bear !!

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty !!

Good Wednesday morning.!

Just got done doing our Taxes this morning. That is why the picture had to be front and center today. I hope you get a feel from this picture how I really feel about tax time. Yes this does qualify as a Wild Day in Utah ! Just one of those many things that almost brings as much emotion as Hunting or taking pictures. It is not the same kind of adrenalin rush, but does fire you up. It's not that I don't want to pay my fare share. Maybe there is some stimulus money or a grant out there to help me pay for it. Seems to be money for everything else that has taken place in the past few years. Try telling that to the Thousands who have lost homes in the last two years. Well enough said about tax time. I'm really not that bitter. Just had to get that of my little country boy chest.                        

Every time I look at some of my Cougar pictures I realize how lucky I have been to experience being this close to this magnificent animal. There is an awe feeling you get just being a few feet from this master hunter. He has hunted and killed more wildlife in a month than most people ever will in a life time. He even gets to hunt out of season. Wish I could do that. The adult male cougar kills on average one deer a week. They wont eat anything that is not fresh. I have come upon many deer  kills and occasionally an elk. Knowing that, and seeing what they are capable of doing you always have that air of excitement filming one at close range. I have been in a tree taking pictures when one turned my way and hissed and that alone made me bail out. I have been on the ground taking pictures when all of the sudden the cat jumped out of the tree right over me to escape. Through my lens it felt like he was coming right for me. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a hunt or chase don't pass it up. Most people will never see one in the wild so enjoy the shots .  Have a great day and I hope you get the same rush as I had today. TAX RUSH  !!

The Bear !!

Happy Birthday to My Wife !!

Good Wild Day Utah !!

     Today has to be dedicated to my beautiful wife. It is her birthday today and family is first. I'm so thankful for her and how she makes me complete. Life has thrown a lot of curves our way like it does to everyone. Thanks  to her we always are able to hold our heads up high and rise above all the challenges. She is such a hard worker and so dedicated to her family. She has taught me so much about life.She supports me in anything I want to do. She has such a giving heart. Thank you for following me any where  I go. She has trailed me up many mountains , and endured much pain only because of her desire to be with me.
     She walked with me up Mt. Timpanogoes hunting shed antlers till her feet were bleeding. Of course I keep her going saying that its not that bad. Then after several hours of very steep terrain we get back, she takes her shoes and socks off and she had lost her big toe nails. It's taken two years for them to grow back. She has been several places with me taking pictures, being patient while I sit for hours getting the right shot. She is my best friend. Thank you for carrying me when I'm not sure I could go any further. Your strength in life is incredibly strong.  This blog day is dedicated to you. Thank you for always being there for me and our families.  Happy Birthday Babe !!!!!!!!

                                   The Bear !

One for The Bucket List !!

                                                               Good Wild Day Utah !!

     Wow what some way nice weather. It's nice to start off Monday with a ton of sun. We may not have much snow but it is so nice out side. Saturday there were bikes all over town. There was a group of Harley's that passed me on the freeway at 70 miles per hour !  I guess I better not lie my wife knows I never go 70. She thinks I'm the slowest driver on the planet. Yes I'm the one you honk at going 61 on the freeway. I've never felt the need for speed. Now daring things that's an other story. I never have to slow down when I see that nice policeman, and I get there 5 minuets after you. Only bad thing was after I saw the bikers I went home, strapped on the leathers and went out to start the Harley. You guessed it . The battery was down to low and it wouldn't start. I will work on that today.
     So I decided to take a ride and go to point of the mountain in the afternoon Saturday. I didn't know if there would be enough wind later in the afternoon to watch the Para gliders or not. I talked with two of the four flyer's that were there. It made me want to check this one off my bucket list so bad. The wind finally started to pick up and all four of them were in flight. I booked a tandem flight for next week. It was a gorgeous day . Clear blue skies and just a little wind. If you have ever seen them flying at the point, you cant help but be intrigued. You need to navigate your way up there and go watch. It is such a quite peaceful flight that they take. I have to do this one . I've watched them for the past two years and this one one I am going to learn. What could be more wild in Utah than flying at the best location in the country for Paragliding. The thermal winds here are the the most predictable in the country. Flying is a dream. Can't wait to do it. Watch the video below and see how cool it is when he finally launches of into the sky. The freedom to navigate the air and fly as free as you can with just the wind is unbelievable.
     Utah has so many things to add to your bucket list. I'm not missing this one. Hope you get out and enjoy a beautiful day. See you tomorrow . Thanks for becoming a follower.      The Bear !!

U.S. Postal Service ! NOT

                                                  Good Day Wild Utah !

     Remember  when the Eagle picture was a symbol of the speed of the American Postal Service ? Now it is considered slow compared to all the other forms of communication we currently have. It's hard to believe what has happened with e-mail coming aboard. That was just the start. Then with all that is currently changing with our cell phones it is an instant thought to e-mail. We carry the capability to instantly send almost anything we want with us all the time. Now jump in Face Book ! With over seven hundred million users. Twitter has over two hundred million users. Just try and get away for some one trying to reach you. It Ain't going to happen ! Now I really am going to date myself. I remember when I went to the mountain for a few days and never heard from anyone . Yes that was in Utah not Siberia. I didn't hear from any one, or care that I did. It was just me, and my thoughts, and my mountain. Now if I leave home with out my cell phone I Panic. I instantly get e-mails, text, pictures and send pictures as soon as I take them. Its time to take back my old world and slow down. I miss the tranquillity and peace that the mountains afforded me. Where were those dang roses I was supposed to stop and smell ? OK that's the challenge for the weekend , STOP and SMELL the ROSES. Technology is great, but there is a real world out there. It will all be waiting for you when you get home.

     Now back to the American Bald Headed Eagle. What an incredible bird. These are Sanpete County Utah eagles. I had to put a few more pictures in of them. They are all round the state right now. Hope you have an opportunity to view some before they head north.They are so distinct with that white head and tail. It's so easy to see in flight.They are one of the most majestic birds we will ever see.                                 Have a great weekend and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah !          The Bear !!

Seven and a Hind Quarter Bucks !

                                                             Good morning Wild Day Utah !!

     Another suppose to be storm seems to be fading away. Woke up this morning and expected to see some snow. Instead of snow it looks like I should be getting the garden ready for Zucchinis. Don't tell me you are not a squash fan. All that plowing, shoveling, raking, planting, watering, weeding and ultimately leaving on the neighbors porch step thing we do. Yes I will do it again this year because it is in my DNA. All that just because there was no snow. OK I got that off my chest.

     The pictures today are from ten days ago. It should have been of eight bachelor bucks. There are seven you can see and some how I cut the eighth one.  He was the biggest one to. Kinda like the fish that got away. I guess you will have to decide that one for yourself. There were several decent bucks in this group. They always look bigger going away from you. I only wish they could have about four more years to grow their hardware. With the new area hunting divisions this year the state wildlife management is hoping to improve the quality of the hunts. I tried to look at the new areas and thought I might have to retain a professional map reader to decipher the areas. Any time you can even find a four point buck its a good day. I really don't hunt much at all any more. I find that taking the trusty Nikon out is just as challenging and some times almost as rewarding. I haven't lost that excitement to go see wildlife. It drives my wife crazy when I sit there for hours and watch their every move. Thanks to a father and grandfather that is deeply ingrained in me. I only hope that my boys will keep the love for nature that has been given them.
    Get out there and enjoy this beautiful sun shinny day. Don't get caught getting only the back end of the big one ! Get all eight.           Have a great Thursday.

                                                             The Bear !!

Sanpete County Utah Red Tailed Hawks !!

     Wednesday and it still feels like spring. it might be time to get the Harley out. I cant wait to get on the road with the Nikon in the saddle bag.
      I took a ride down south to Sanpete County to shoot some hawks and Eagles. There were  Red Tailed hawks down every back road. There shouldn't be a mouse anywhere in the county. These little guys were on watch  on several fence posts and pole lines in most of the back country. I got up early with the hope of find a few bucks while I was down there. I think it was the least amount of deer I have ever seen in some of the wintering grounds. I hope they just eluded me. The hawks were fun to see. They should have a good year with all the rodents and small birds that were around. Its easy to see why the local school district mascot is the Hawk. The Red Tailed Hawk is the most common Hawk in Utah. They can be found any where in the state. It can be challenging to get pictures of them. Seems like as soon as you see one and stop they take off in flight. With a little luck one will stay perch on a post or pole allowing you to get some good shots. I cant drive by any wildlife and not stop and take a photo or two. There are many color variations of this hawk.

The lower photo is of a hawk that was a lot darker than the first one. I think he had his eye on my every move. I hope you will get out and watch for the Red Tailed Hawk.   Have a great day in Wild Day Utah !     The Bear !!!!    

Last Time They used Ropes !!

Good Day Wild Utah !! 

Watching these climbers this weekend was worth one more look . This is one of those things that is not on my Utah bucket list. Watching him chip away at the ice, and ice chunks falling away made me think

 this guy is crazy.No one in his right mind would do this. OK maybe taking pictures of a Cougar from five feet is not that crazy right ? Well to each his own.

Last time I watched these guys they were using ropes. There were three guys up climbing in the ice with ropes and this lone climber with out any. I watched them before and they always had a safety rope. This time it was more interesting to watch this guy        methodically work his way up the ice. He would work on each step until he had just the right hold on the ice. He would hack at the ice and drive his hook in several times until he fell secure with the spot and then shift on to the next spot. Maybe just being old makes me feel like its out of my reach. Its cool how we all have such varied ways of enjoying the great outdoors. Every time I go anywhere in the outdoors I see people do so many things that I've never thought of.    Hope you have a great day in          

Wild Day Utah !!

Turkeys in January !!!

          Good Morning Wild Day Utah !!!

     Looks like we are going to continue with the crazy winter weather. It is nice not to shovel snow. I took a couple days off to get out in the field last week. Some times you have to get away from every thing to really appreciate what you have. Thanks honey form supporting me always.

             My wife and daughter and I took a little ride up Provo Canyon. We decided to go up a road we had never seen. It paid off with some fun shots of these four Tom Turkeys. There was just a little sun and it made the colors stand out on them so cool. There was one older long beard and three younger ones. When we were driving down the road my daughter said , " Hey look some peacocks". She was close but, I haven't seen any peacocks that high in the mountains. We loved watching them feeding. I got out off the car on the opposite side of them and started taking pictures. They started getting a little nervous so I whistled at them to get them to look our way for a picture. They were working away from us. I told the girls to make a noise to see if they could get their attention. That was not a good idea. Their idea of a little noise and mine were not the same. City chicks :). Well if you play the little video clip you will hear that a little became a lot . Needless to say the turkeys decided to get out of Dodge. I think I told them to see if they could get them to look over here for a picture. So that literally is what they started yelling. If you turn up the volume you will hear them both really trying to help me out. If any of you gobbler hunters need help hunting your bird this spring ,I'm sure they would be glad to help you. I will know better next time. I was so lucky to have my calling crew with me.
    Well I hope you will enjoy the late January turkey pictures. Like always there is so much to get out and see in Wild Day Utah ! Thanks for checking in.

                       Have a great Monday !       The Bear  !!!!

Antelope Island Bison !!!

                                                              Good Day Wild Utah !

     Another sun shinny day in Utah.How lucky are we ?  Then to top it off we received an email from school telling us that our 13 year old was doing way good in his drama class. That is nice to hear. Keep up the great work. Now I just need to get my camera out and hope for more good news. Seems like some day you have to get up and look for the positive. The morning did have a few bumps. I think that is just life.
     I took some pictures a few days ago at Antelope Island. It's a little hard to believe they actually have a Bison hunt on the Island. My Wife and I drove down pretty close to a few good bulls. They are massive when you get close. This time of year they look pretty rugged. They have such a thick winter coat. We have Three areas in Utah to draw a tag and hunt Bison. The Henry Mountains have the largest free ranging heard in the state. Then we have a new heard just introduced to the Book Cliff area. The last is this heard on Antelope Island. It make take ten to twenty Years to draw a tag in Utah. If you do draw it is a once in a life time draw. So for most hunters it will probable never happen. Just being that close to these animals is so cool. We didn't get out of the car they were so close. If you haven't ever been out to the state park you should do so. The picture on the bottom was interesting. This Magpie was trying to pull one of the long hairs off the Bison's neck .The Bison was getting mad at him and would throw his head back then stand up and shake to remove him. Just as soon as he got him to fly, he would fly right back on his back again. Finally the Bison just went on his way foraging in the snow for the new grass underneath. There is defiantly something very wild and nostalgic about this beautiful animal. They just seem so rugged and have such a history in the West.It is hard to picture thousands of them roaming free. We are lucky to have them in our state. Hope you will get out and enjoy our wildlife. Till tomorrow have a great day.
                                                     The Bear !!
     

Father & Son ????

                       Good Wild Day Utah  !!

     Good Tuesday morning . What a beautiful day it is out there this morning. It's all of 32 degrees out on the thermometer. The sun is shinning and the snow has left for at least one day. I'm sure the resorts are loving the new snow totals. From the sound of the road report it might be a good day to chill and let the roads clear. I'm not real good at the chill thing. I'm already thinking of heading up the mountain. The new snow has got my goat and I have to go play. You can't look at that picture from this morning out my window, and not want to go play in the new snow.

     The heading for today was Father & Son ? It is amazing how the smaller buck on the right could eventually grow to the same size as the buck on the left. They may, and probably do have the same gene pool. It may take five or six years for the young buck to reach this size. There is a good chance that he wont live that long. Hopefully he will go through the normal process of shedding his antlers this spring and start his new larger set of antlers. Pretty cool that with the longer days of light, and other factors the new antlers will start to grow and the old ones will fall off. It takes several years for a buck to mature and have antlers like the larger buck. Soon it will be the shed season. Then the hills become alive with antler hunters to claim their prize. I am guilty of the shed hunting disease. I wish I had a dime for every mile I have walked looking for antlers. Once you have watched a buck all winter and then are lucky enough to pick up his sheds you will be hooked for life. I hope you will get out and enjoy the day !  Hope you are liking the pictures. It gives me a good reason to share. 
                                            The Bear !!