Today Jason and I went on a short hike through Yosemite Valley. Spring is just arriving in the valley, and a rash of chilly days, additional snow, and cold nights have seemed to delay it a bit. But it's definitely on the way. As we wandered on the trails that connect the meadows, we could sense it. Songbirds are calling, mallards pairs are foraging in the river and in meadow ponds, and the frogs are tremendous! Dogwoods are blooming in sunny spots, and we saw a first snow plant emerging brightly from the earth. Trees are starting to leaf out, and food is becoming abundant again.
As we were walking along the river, Jason spotted a bear browsing a little meadow off to our right. Now I'd seen a bear in Yosemite Valley before—there was one napping in a tree in Curry Village surrounded by onlookers. But this time it was different. This bear was just moseying about, looking for food, scratching his head, and sitting down to dine a bit. I think we were the only people who had spotted him. I was able to observe him under natural conditions. He looked at us a few times, but browsing the meadow for food was more interesting, I guess. That's always a good thing, honestly.
I was really excited to see this bear under such circumstances. I really hope that this season will be the one that brings a bear sighting in the wilderness on one of our backpacking trips.
Later on we found a nice spot and watched Yosemite Falls for a while. They're pretty full and will only get bigger from this point until they peter out a bit in the hotter months. It was a pleasant hike, and it reminds me that I don't always have to travel for miles into the backcountry to observe the life cycles and activities of nature's amazing flora and fauna as the seasons change from one to another.
~Nancy
As we were walking along the river, Jason spotted a bear browsing a little meadow off to our right. Now I'd seen a bear in Yosemite Valley before—there was one napping in a tree in Curry Village surrounded by onlookers. But this time it was different. This bear was just moseying about, looking for food, scratching his head, and sitting down to dine a bit. I think we were the only people who had spotted him. I was able to observe him under natural conditions. He looked at us a few times, but browsing the meadow for food was more interesting, I guess. That's always a good thing, honestly.
I was really excited to see this bear under such circumstances. I really hope that this season will be the one that brings a bear sighting in the wilderness on one of our backpacking trips.
Later on we found a nice spot and watched Yosemite Falls for a while. They're pretty full and will only get bigger from this point until they peter out a bit in the hotter months. It was a pleasant hike, and it reminds me that I don't always have to travel for miles into the backcountry to observe the life cycles and activities of nature's amazing flora and fauna as the seasons change from one to another.
~Nancy
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