First Bear Sighting!

No sooner had I posted the last post about the bears not coming down until the berries ripen...when Vil hung up the phone and told me that the 1st bear of the year had been sighted by one of our neighbors. Apparently, at 5:30 this morning a healthy sized black bear came up onto our neighbors porch and despite her dogs barking at it (they were inside and it was about 6 feet away)- continued to sniff around her deck and property for a half-hour. Guess it's officially bear season- time to be extra careful around our property and keep an eye out for tracks and scat.

Yesterday I rode my bike 30 miles home from work. Spring was back and the day was glorious. The air was perfumed with the blooms from the deciduous trees and the forest was waking up and showing off. Wild bleeding heart lined the trail sides and sword ferns unrolled with the warmth of the sun. They look like tiny sea horses bouncing in the elements.

And...there was not a bear in sight, or evidence of such a creature. I suspect the mild winter has invited them to stay higher in the mountains until the berries ripen.

My path takes me down beautiful trails and paths and even plays peek-a-boo with the famous Snoqualmie Falls. Another day of feeling fortunate to be healthy and wonderful way to stock the soul's cookie jar.

From outside our tent...

My new gig has me shooting all kinds of pictures and wanting to be behind a camera more than ever. My poor victim, model... has to put up with all kinds of shenanigins. Here we have him in a camp at night scene. " me.. man... camp...alone... with fire..." (insert grunts). Is this how it looks when we camp? Sometimes... but the second picture down is a little more realistic. Maya took it when we camped in Cle Elum! I really like this picture because I think it captured the essence of lazy, or shall I say... relaxed? After all... THAT is what it's all about!

Untitled from tkaye on Vimeo.

Love this...

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers - for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are. ~Osho

It's the little things...

I'm thrilled! My friendships and connections with the City leadership has landed me as the feature photographer in the new branding campaign! My photos will be featured on City posters, television spots, town banners and literature as part of the new slogan "Easy to Reach, Hard to Leave". I couldn't be any more excited that my work might inspire others to get outside and enjoy the wonder of nature. I think that's worth a loud "YAHOO!"

I had some company on the R-snake Ledge today!

Lessons in life from today's goat friend:

1.) Always stretch out!

2.) Don't be afraid to live on the edge a little.

3.) Always put on your cutest face when being photographed.
4.) Take a leap of faith.
5.) Soak up the sun from a vista whenever possible.
6.) When there is no trail, make your own!

7.) Figure out a way to get off the beaten track, where no one can bother you.

8.) Having excess hair on cold days, isn't always such a bad thing.
9.) Walk softly, but carry big horns.
10.) Sing like no one else can hear you!