The Trail Cam 1

Bobcat

Around Christmas 2011 I had the trail cam set up about a quarter mile south of my home. I captured the following video, which I think is quite remarkable as I don't think bobcats travel in pairs too often nor is it common to see them in the daytime.

Coyote

I also caught a coyote, though not as amazing it is still interesting to catch wild critters in the act of being themselves without the interfering with their natural behavior.

I Saw The Elephant

The phrase I Saw the Elephant came into use during the Civil War. It means to see life or to gain experience during devastating events, particularly near-death experiences.

Last Friday we were invited to go hiking with some friends, Tait and Susan. The selected destination was Elephant Arch, located in the foothills a few miles north of Washington. It has a unique shape that looks like the head and trunk of an elephant.

It was a beautiful day, the temperature in Dixie was approaching 80, but was tempered by a mild breeze. The clouds were gorgeous, and as we hiked they offered occasional shade.

The wildflowers were in full bloom. It was nice to be able to ask Tait the names of the various flowers and plants, which are his specialty. Not that I will remember them too long. Susan has her own specialty that she likes to photograph, but in the interest of propriety it will not be discussed here.

Desert Marigold

Globe Mallow

Wild Four-o-clock

Thistle blossom

Flowering Cactus

As you get further into the hills the trail follows a wash that is full of interesting formations. this one reminded me of cliff dwellings.

Ellie got a little heat stroke or something and decided to rest here and wait for us. I stayed with her to make sure she was going to be okay, then caught up with Tait and Susan. This formation sort of looks like an eye-less ear-less elephant don't you think?

There are no marked trails to this arch, so we had to do some exploring to find it and it took a while. I didn't want to give up because a little over a year ago I tried to find this arch while hiking with Richard Jensen and failed. We split up and Tait finally located it. It isn't too obvious until you get fairly close, and even then it may be hard to spot depending on the light and angle of view.

Susan is sitting below the elephant's trunk in this photo, directing Tait and I to get her best angle. I climbed up and sat on the elephant's head, that's the closest I have ever come to riding an elephant.

The elephant, and Susan, from a different angle. After taking photos I decided to head back so Ellie wouldn't think we had returned by a different route and left her there.

We were all a little exhausted, dry and hungry when we returned to the truck. We figured we hiked somewhere around eight miles, a lot of it in sand. I would suggest if you want to do this hike and want to make it a little easier that you get a key to the gate, which I understand is available from Saint George City. If you drive to the city water well at the end of the road it would cut the hiking distance down to about three miles.

Before returning home our friends treated us to dinner at Chuck-A-Rama for Ellie's birthday which was about a week ago. We stuffed ourselves and I must have guzzled a gallon of water and fruit punch.

Snowflowers Are Out!

Yes it's true. The Snowflowers are out! I went hiking today, wearing my new snowshoes, I want up the Anderson Valley trail almost to The Big Wash, then cut up over the back of Lawson Hill and down through the boulder piles. As I got near the bottom where the snow was melting around the rocks and trees, the Snowflowers were poking their heads out. For those of you who are like me and think that is a sure sign of spring, it's really good news.

I may have posted this last year, but I am going to again if I did. What we call Snowflowers are actually a Violet Butter Cup. Genus: Ranunculus; species: Andersoni; Southern Utah subspecies: Juniperinus.

Regardless of the name, scientific or common, they are probably the most welcome flower I know of around here. Most anyone that has lived in the valley has hiked Lawson Hill, or one of the other places where they grow. It kind of gives you a little reassurance that spring is really coming, in spite of the snow and cold. Some things just won't be denied the chance to grow and share their beauty.

You usually find them on the north or east facing slopes, in moist areas near rocks or trees. It is usually in loamy soil made from decaying vegetation, often that which has fallen from Pine or Juniper trees. Their root system is a tuber, which stores moisture for their relatively short growing season. Once the moisture is gone they go to seed and dry up, disappearing until the next spring.

I am grateful for Snowflowers, which is what they will always be to anyone raised in New Harmony. They will always be one of the first sure signs of spring. Even though much of the vegetation on Lawson Hill was destroyed by fire last summer, the Snowflowers are a sign to me that life goes on, some times pretty much as usual, and that we can too.

Signs of Spring

I guess I am an optimist, but even though there is a foot of snow outside, and it is threatening to snow again, I see signs of Spring everywhere. First of all, look at the calendar. We are a week into February! Okay, so Spring doesn't officially come on the calendar in the northern hemisphere until March 21, but when the snow melts and the Snowflowers come out, its Spring to me. I have photos of Snowflowers taken the first week in March for the last two years. I don't care what that fat rodent in Pennsylvania says, Spring isn't six weeks away, maybe three.

I took this shot of icicles on Redd Creek yesterday about 9:00 am, then when I returned about noon they were melted.

One problem with Spring coming is that I want to be out hiking and riding in the hills, and I don't nearly have all my winter projects done. I really want to get the cabinet doors installed in my den. I've had them for almost a year and was saving that as a winter project. I wanted to get some more finished on the inside of my shop, and I haven't even looked at that, other than to make room to get all my equipment inside when it started snowing.

This photo taken yesterday shows new green growth from the roots of a burnt Quinine Bush.

Another problem with Spring is the mud. I really don't like mud, and it seems like there is a lot of it around in the Spring. However, we are not exempt from mud in the winter and we have had more than our share already this year. At least when Spring comes you know it will dry up eventually.


Birds at the feeder are another sign of spring. All winter the Pinion Jays are king of the hill, getting first choice of the seeds. The Spotted Towhees, Juncos and a variety of sparrows are plentiful. A couple of days ago I saw a Gold Finch and a House Finch. Definitely not winter birds around here. They would have made a good photo, but were quite timid and I couldn't get close enough.

Snow melt and a sunny southern exposure has some green grass showing.

I love green. I think it is my favorite color. Trees with new green leaves. A grove of quaking Aspen. Willows along the creek. A beautiful meadow. A field of waving grass or alfalfa. Freshly mowed grass, especially on a golf course. Money.

Newborn calves are a pretty good sign of Spring.

Spring means new life. Concealed in the ground all winter, it begins again. With the first warming days buds shape, then open. Blossoms and flowers explode, briefly flaunt their beauty, then generate seeds to perpetuate their vanity. Leaves appear and dress cold naked branches, enticing myriads of birds to make their summer homes. Everything seems energized in spring. Green begins its synthesis, replacing our exhaust with breathable air. Babies are born; animals, birds and fish reproduce their species. The poets say that even a young man's fancy turns to love in spring.

Spring also means new starts. It means that no matter what mistakes we made last year, we have the chance to start again. A chance to do better. I like that a lot.

A Walk In The Black Forest

Those of you younger than me may not remember this song. An instrumental composed by Horst Jankowski and released in 1965, it quickly became a million seller. One of the original artists was Herb Alpert and The Tiajuana Brass. Later Lyrics were added that kind of made it into a love song, though I doubt the lyrics are very familiar to anyone.

I went for a hike in the snow yesterday through some of the area that was burned in the fire last summer. The title and tune of this song kept coming into my mind. Watch this short video I made and see if you think it fits.

I am sure there are some of you that think of something entirely different when you think of Black Forest. Could it be Black Forest Cheese Cake? I'll have to admit that crossed my mind.

More About Snow Flowers

I have done some research and am ready to report. The real name of the beautiful little flowers that grow in the foothills to the south is actually "Violet Buttercup". Their scientific name is Raniculus Andersoni (genus & species). The particular variety we have here in Southern Utah is a sub-species called Juniperinus. Evidently they grow in various places throughout the west, though I suppose the conditions have to be just right. I found photos of them from Nevada and a couple of other places in Utah.

I guess we will never know who named then Snow Flowers, and I don't think anyone around here will be calling them Violet Buttercups. Personally I like the name Snow Flower, it just fits better.

Snow Flowers 2009

The Snow Flowers are in bloom. I took a hike to Lawson Hill today and found that they are plentiful and awesomely beautiful as always. More snow means more Snow Flowers, there should be an abundance this year.

Why I Love New Harmony (1)

Why do I love living in New Harmony? There are a lot of reason, and that is why I put a number behind the title in this blog. I may end up listing a lot of them.

We have had a snowy winter. If someone is keeping track, it would be interesting to know just how many total inches we have had this winter. I'll bet it is getting close to 100. Nice thing is, there is probably less than 12 inches on the ground right now. Before this last week, the ground was bare. I was washing our cars on the driveway in my shirt sleeves.



As big a pain as it is, I love the snow. Looking out my window this week and watching the mountain change every few minutes was awesome. The trees on top look like something out of a Christmas tree flock shop. I would love to transport myself up there for just an hour to be able to walk through that frosty wonderland. I'm sure I would need snow shoes. The 100 inches, give or take, we have received down here is probably double that in places up there.



As I watch out the back window, camera in hand, the clouds drift across the mountain, forming a kaleidoscope of shadows and light as the sun peeks through. Sometimes the snow falls soft as freckles, or sometimes angry, as the wind whips a horizontal fury.



The snow builds and drifts, and sooner or later I have to shovel. I kind of ruined my driveway in Kamas using a backhoe to clean snow, so I avoid machinery on this one. Since I don't have a snow blower, I have to shovel. I find the thought is usually worse than the reality. I would much rather spend an hour shoveling snow than 30 minutes on a treadmill. When you are done you can actually see you have accomplished something besides burning 389 calories.



Okay, if you are looking for the reasons I love New Harmony, you have probably already chocked up a few, but I have yet to make my point. Those are all good reasons, but the one that inspired this post is that we live only 35 miles from Saint George. Last week some friends from up north called and asked if I wanted to go golfing. I replied in the affirmative and met them at Sun River Golf Course on Friday. Can you believe that in 30 minutes you can leave this winter wonderland and be golfing? It was a fun day, and definitely a reason to love it here. No matter how much snow we get, or how cold and long our winter is, Saint George is just 30 minutes down the road.

Golfing at Sun River, 2/13/09.

Notice the snow on Pine Valley Mountain in the background.

The foursome, (L to R) myself, Jackson Kaiserman, Jim Kaiserman, John Mann

After golfing I stopped in town and ran a few errands. The traffic was backed up about a quarter mile on the freeway trying to get off at the Bluff Street exit. Then I had to circle the block twice to find a parking space, and wait in line at the check-out. Later as I headed on up the freeway, I was even more glad we live at least 35 miles from Saint George.

Another New Years Resolution- Do More Geocaching

Geocaching is an international sport-game of treasure hunting using satellite global positioning technology. It is based on the groundspeak website : http://www.geocaching.com/. People hide small treasure containers called geocaches and record the GPS coordinates, then post them on the Internet site. Other folks then try to find the hidden treasures after finding their coordinates on the Internet. Anyone can play but you need a GPS to do it. Geocaches vary in size from micro to large. The only requirement for a normal cache is that it have a log book. When someone finds it they sign the log, then also log the find on the Internet site. Micro caches can be as small as a 1" tube about 1/4 inch in diameter, or as large as an orange crate. Obviously small caches may only contain a log. Larger ones may be chock full of basically worthless items. Rule is that if you want to take a 'treasure', you must replace it with something of equal or lesser value.

I have been geocaching for almost two years now. I have hidden 29 caches and have found around 160. I enjoy doing it because it gives you a reason to get out of the house and explore. Geocaches are hidden everywhere you can imagine from city center to mountain top. Some are quite challenging, some are very easy. The listing on the Internet site gives you the coordinates, a short description of the cache, the size, the relative difficulty and a map showing the approximate location.

Part of the game is to see how many caches you can find, or if you are also hiding them, it is fun to see what clever and unusual places you can put them. It is also fun to come up with ingenious ways to disguise them and catchy names to describe them. There is also some prestige in being the first to find (FTF) any particular cache.

I went out this morning and in just a few hours found eight caches, five of which I was the FTF! Below are some photos of my adventure.

The colorful sunrise as I was heading out this morning.

The bird whirly gig was the first cache of the day. Log is in the container attached to the tail.

This is near a cache aappropriately named "Speed Bump" .

The red, heart shaped souvenir box hidden here is a cache called "Elvis Coral"

Some old sheep loading corals not too far away I never knew existed before today.

This cache is about 100 yards inside the tunnel. Flashlight required!

Another cache near by required a little scrambling up this rocky hillside.

You can view my geocaching profile by clicking on this link:

It's Heck To Get Old

The Big Old Buck resting on our front lawn

The Bucks are Back

I guess I would have to say the rut is on. Bucks have been appearing out of nowhere the last few days and it seems that each one we see is bigger than the last. This one was hanging out by the walnut trees yesterday (11-10) when we came home from Cedar.

This is the same buck. It is always good to get a front or rear view to see how wide the spread is. I would judge this one at around 24 to 26 inches, and probably almost that high.I will continue to post more photos as the rut continues. I think it is great that these guys loose their innate fear of man for a few weeks and let us take their photo when their antlers are in their prime and so magnificent. I don't know what possesses someone to want to shoot such an awesome animal. Whatever it is, I feel it every time I see one.

Addendum

More bucks came around Tuesday afternoon. This three point below was the first.

Then several smaller bucks joined in. This two point has retarded horns.

Then this old grandpa below joined the fun. He reminded me of me. He is lame in one rear leg and his horns are all deformed. He will probably be a fatality of the winter. I'm not suggesting that I will, I just mean that he is still a magnificent creature (like me) even though he has a few problems.

This is where he gets real comfortable. Like me, he enjoys an afternoon nap, laying around on lush green grass.

This doe wanted to show off her newly pierced ear. I don't know who she was talking to, but I caught her in mid sentence.

Several fawns came to the party but found it quite boring. Notice the one little feller still has his spots. Hope he is strong enough to make it through the winter.

The Grass Menagerie

We had a fairly severe change of weather over the week end, but last week it was still quite a bit like summer. Normally I wouldn't allow this type of thing on my front lawn, but as you can see I am allowing it, even photographing it. This photo was taken on Thursday, November 6th.

Because the rut is nearing, the time of year when the big bucks loose their fear and chase the does around, I am allowing it. I like to see the big bucks and would love to photograph one on my front lawn. Once the rut is over, the BB gun comes out again and I will scatter them to the four winds

The photo above shows what the weather looks like this morning, Monday November 10, 2008, quite a dramatic change from a week ago, but I guess it is time to get ready for winter.