The Sheep look a Little Rough

      I just took these pictures last weekend in Utah County. There were four ewes and this ram.  If you look at the ewe close you can tell she is getting close to lambing. The Rocky Mountain Big Horn is a cool looking sheep.  They are just starting to loose the winter coat. They look pretty rough but none the less well worth the find. I watched them for a while until the ram decided I was to close and moved on up in the rocks. Its kind of rare to see big horn sheep in Utah.  It is a once in a life time draw in Utah. The chance to hunt one will most likely never happen for most Utah hunters. Second best is to go find them and get some pictures.

        I hope I can find them again this summer when they have their slick summer coat on. It will be fun to follow them and see if lambs come soon. 

                                                                              Have a great weekend !          The Bear !!

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 !!!

They Are Not Elk Droppings and You Can't Eat Them

                                They are not elk droppings and you can't eat them. What are they ? 

  
     So another great trip to the mountain that netted no deer or elk shed antlers. What a beautiful day it was anyway. There was tons of cool stuff just to stop and see. I did see eight bull elk, but only one had shed his hardware. Guess I will have to wait another week to go try and find the needle in the hay stack. It's always interesting to see all the bones lying along the mountain floor.  Kind of a cool skull in the middle of a oak brush hill side. Of coarse I couldn't pas it up. So what is it from ? 
     The bottom picture was the first butterfly of the season. He was tearing up the mountain side. What could be better than a few wonder items from 5 miles up the mountain. It was worth all 7 hours of walking strait up. I came back a new rejuvenated old man.
     The short video is one of my favorite things to do on the mountain. There is nothing better than sitting down by the rushing stream and just letting your thoughts leave the craziness of life. I wouldn't trade the day for anything.
     So what are those sweet things in my hand in the first picture ?  Hummmm !  

       Have a great weekend. Thanks for checking in.  
        
                                                           The Bear !!

                                                                       PS  Moose poop !  :)

New City Creek Project

  
                                   Good Day Wild Utah

    Now this has to qualify as a wild day in Utah if there ever was one !  I almost felt like I was walking in New York City. Wow,Wow,Wow. All I wanted to see were the fish in the stream. Yes there are Rainbow Trout in the middle of down town City Creek.  I took a little line and some borrowed power bait, Yes Chet I did say "borrowed power bait", and thought I would clean up. I made the mistake and did ask, and was told that I couldn't fish here.
     Now some one went way over board here to see if it would be possible to make these streets look like down town New York. The fact of the matter is that it was totally awesome ! There were bands playing, drummers drumming,and singers singing all over the place. It was a way cool atmosphere and we loved every minute of being there. It was wall to wall people in every direction.
     There were so many new stores that are unique to Utah. Way to go City Creek you did this one up right. I will defiantly be back. We only had time to stop at a few shops. They were all first class. It was  the kind of atmosphere  that you could have just lounged around and soaked it all up. The line to just get in and see the new Disney store was a block long. I walked by and thought it was way cool ,but I don't think I have the patience for that one.
     The high light for me had to be the way they have created the City Creek Steam that runs right down the middle of all the shops. It is beautiful and who can complain about watching Rainbow Trout  swimming in the stream while your wife is checking out the boutiques. You have to go see this one soon. Oh ya, there was a ton of wild life there to !   Hummmm :)   Ooooops

      Have a great day ! Get out and enjoy

                                                                           The Bear !!!!

I Wanted To Bring This Stump Home !

                                       Good Day Wild Utah

 Yes I'm back in the mountains again. Ive been dying to go for a walk all week. Finally strapped the boots on and headed for the snow.  While walking up some ridge lines checking out the wildlife I ran across this old ceder stump. It had so much character I had to shoot it . It almost looks like it has its own walking stick. Of course my first thought was how am I going to get this baby home and into my front room. I'm not sure my wife will approve. Think of the possibilities. I can see antlers lying around it , hats hanging off the limbs, and a big ole cigar hanging out its mouth. Wow did I really just say that ? Occasionally I let my imagination run away just a bit. Well just enjoy and you use your own imagination. Yes it's still stuck to mother earth. Ain't no packin this one out I'm afraid.  Seems kind of funny to be walking that high up in the mountains and wearing a t shirt. You have to love Utah weather.

     I walked up another mile or so until I was in about two feet of snow. I couldn't walk on top of the snow with out sinking in every step. It didn't take long to throw the towel in and head for home. I did watch 50 head of cow elk feed along the hill. I brought nothing back but a few pictures. That always makes momma happy. She just doesn't get that excited to see new elk and deer bone coming in the door.  It felt so good to get up in the crisp clean air.   Hope you have a great weekend

                                                                              The Bear !!

This Mornings Walk

                                     What a great Friday morning walk


     Ive been neglecting my blog for a while now. Ive been trying to do some schooling and its crimped my style. This morning I got up and looked out the window, grabbed my boots and headed to the mountains. It was going to be a hunt for shed antlers day for sure. Well as you can see by the pictures it turned in to be just a tremendous hike filled with sweet photos around every turn. Maybe that's a kind way of saying "I didn't find any antlers". As you can see I walked up into some cliffs. My wife just loves it when I send her pictures in the cliffs.  She always ask where I'm going so she can send some one to find me when I don't come back. I always tell her I'm just walking the flat ground today. Anyway I always take enough food for a day or two in case I get carried away. The weather was so unbelievably warm. I did see a few bulls still packing their hardware. They were further up the hill than I was going to go anyway.
     It felt so good to work up a good sweat and then finally reach the cliffs and just sit down. There is nothing like feeling that you are the only one up there. Its fun to look with my field glasses and watch all the craziness that goes on down in the valley. I get a little carried away just glassing the mountains and watching the wild life. I cant wait for things to come back to life on the mountain.

     I hope you will get out and take advantage of the weekend !    Till next week :)

                                                        The Bear !!!

Sandhill Cranes Behind My house Today

 

                 How cool Is that in your back yard ?

     This pair of Sandhill Cranes have been coming into the field right behind my house for the past few days. I have seen them once in a while fly over the house. I see them standing in fields around in different areas. I have never seen that they have the red coloring on their head until I took the pictures. I have been taking pictures of them for the past few days and have watched them do some pretty crazy rituals with each other. At the bottom of the post there is a video to help explain . They seem just a little awkward to dance like that. Check it out !   There is a spring behind my house and they have found something to eat that keeps them coming back. I didn't think much about seeing them until I got close enough to really watch their behavior and see how unique they are. They really have some amazing color patterns.
     I haven't done my blog for a few days. I'm trying to do a little schooling. I will get back on it soon !  Thanks to all those who follow the blog and have commented on the pictures. It gives me a reason to do the photography. I am amazed when I get out and really appreciate the wild life in Utah. I'm guilty of just flying by and not seeing what is right before our face. It continually gives me a reality check. Life is short and I don't want to miss anything. Thanks for the encouragement.
     Next time you see one of these tall poetic birds you will have a little better understanding of what they really are.   Have a great day !
                                                                       The Bear !!!

I put the wrong clip in ! So here is the real one :)   OOOOOPS !

Who Said The Hens Arn't Pretty ??

The only thing this Green head hen is worrying about on a cold winter day was her bill.

Funny that's all I worry about to

     I cant believe it is almost spring. Looking through my pictures this morning and these Mallard ducks from this winter made me take a second look. It's amazing how close in color the Mallard hen is and the hen Ring Neck Pheasant. They are almost identical. This little hen was floating on the water.  All that she was protecting was her bill. Feet in the water and sitting in the water didn't seem to bother her at all. Go figure. The color pattern on the hen is pretty cool. They blend into there environment  exceptionally well. I will have to say though, the drake like the rooster pheasant are very colorful. When the sun hits them they explode with color. The exactness and color placement is fascinating to me. I love to take closeups of them and see the intricate color patterns. Click on each on and see for yourself.  
     I hope you have a great weekend and get out and enjoy !    Thanks for following :)


                                                                           The Bear !!

Found This Week on NUNYA Mountain

                                                        Good Day Wild Utah

  So there is actually some bucks left in Utah. This is a way good start. I didn't find any pairs but I would be way excited to find a two point. These are not monsters but they do have a little trash on them . When you find one it's almost like you got the buck. I did see three other bucks that were still packing ! I will be back. None of theses were matched sets. The deer were higher than I usually see them. Yes my wife was happy to see me have a little success. I was informed that from here on out all new antlers will be in the garage. I don't think so. It's kind of hard to complain, my wife has been very understanding. There was about six inches of snow where these bucks have been hanging. The one shed had some kind of injury on the back side.  It is just a little three point but has a little cheater on the one side. I think I put in about six hours of walking to find these. That is better than I usually do. Seems like most of the walking is just that ,Walking ! I love to be up in the mountains and just sit and watch. I could hear chuckers up in the rocks above me. I didn't ever get to see them though. Well I'm defiantly ruined for the season. I will be out again soon.
       Have a great day. Enjoy the 50 degree weather. I'm sure it wont last long. Thanks for checking in.

       The Bear !!

Living On The Edge !!

                     Good Day Wild Utah  !!!

     I guess you can tell I'm getting a little excited to get winter over. The shed season for elk is about here. I know I will be out there until I find a few to satisfy this passion. I've picked up a couple of deer antlers I will post soon. For some reason It's just not the same as picking up a ten pound elk antler. There are far fewer deer antlers to pick up.This year will be exceptionally hard with the mild winter. The deer have stayed further up the mountain. They haven't congregated like they usually do. I will feel fortunate to find just a few this year.
     The best part of shed hunting for me is bringing a nice elk shed antler home and placeing it in the front room of my house. My wife just gets so dang excited to add a new bone to small pile that is already there. I mean seriously is it that bad to have twenty or thirty elk sheds and about the same number of deer sheds in the front room ? It's not like I want the whole house to decorate, just the front room. I know it's every wifes dream to have a cougar, elk, bobcat, fish and a few antlers so the relief society sisters can have something to talk about ! Honey  I do all this just for you because I want you to be happy. I do let you decorate the rest of the house.
     It might be a good idea if my wife dosen't read my post today. For some unknown reason I don't think this is exactly what she was thinking about for her dream house. heaven knows I tried to decorate it right. Honey I will do my best to only add three or four antlers to the pile this year. Who's counting anyway. Thanks hun for being so understanding.

                                      I think I may be in trouble on this one !  Oooops !

 Have a great day !  Thanks for checking in.     The Bear !!

 Hope you will enjoy the pictures.

Lake Powell !! Can't Wait to go !!

                                        
                                    Good Day Wild Utah !!!

     I think it's about time to start thinking about Lake Powell. Spring is just around the corner and the strippers are calling. I was just looking back to a trip from this last fall. What a beautiful place Lake Powell is. The fishing doesn't have to be good at all to call this one of the best places in Utah. There is nothing like it to compare to to anywhere. Fishing there is one of my least favorite things to do. When the strippers are biting it can be a ton of fun. This last fall I went fishing with a group of friends and family. We had a great time just boating around the lake and fishing a little. This lake has to be one of the best places in the country to cliff dive. You can find about any height that you think you dare jump from. I remember when we would crawl down the sand stone and jump from some crazy heights.  Now I get to about twenty feet and have to really get the courage up. You can not go to Lake Powell and not jump in the water. The temperatures can be almost like bath water.
     The shear rock walls that tower up for miles can not be matched anywhere. Every turn has some thing new to see. You can boat for miles and never get tired of the beauty of this area of Utah. I don't think you could ever get tired of going there. It will always be a memory builder no matter who you are with. Every trip will be so different.
    Early in the morning the water is like glass. Some of the best water in the world to play in.
    I put a short video of us fishing for strippers. With the crew I was with it wouldn't have mattered if we caught fish or not, they were a riot ! 
     I can't wait to get back there.         Get out and enjoy the day.   Thanks for checking in.

                                                                                             The Bear !!

Friday Cats !!!

Good Day Wild Utah !!


    
     What a great Friday morning. I got up and cooked scrambled eggs and cheese for the rest of the clan. All fired up to make this a great day. I have some of my children and their new baby coming to see us today. Now if I could just get a massage to help this old body. Hint,Hint !
     These pictures today are from a cat that we treed last year . It is the season in Utah to hunt and also to pursue cougar. I hunted last week but we had no success. I have been invited to tag along on a pursuit trip again in the morning. The only way to really appreciate the whole experence is to go on one of these forever hikes. I have left my truck early in the morning and walked through the snow for six or seven hours only to come up empty handed. Funny how just being out there and following a cougar is exciting even if you don't get to see one. Just seeing their track in the snow gets the blood pumping. Sorry for the pile of cougar pictures, but I know that most of you will never get a chance to be face to face with this awsume hunting machine ! They are not always looking like they want to tear your head off when you see them, but true to my nature I always seem to get just a little to close. My wife thinks some of my camera shoots are a bit over the edge. That is the adrenalin rush that keeps me going. This particular cat weighed about 170lbs. Not your average house cat. It never seems to cross my mind that he couild literally tear my head off. I have seen first hand the cougars handy work on several deer kills. Ya, and I pray that I will run into one. Hummmm ?  If I do you will have to suffer through more cougar photos.
     Get out and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah all weekend. Monday is a holiday for most people. So no excuses !!
                                       The Bear !!!!