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Friday, May 6, 2011

It's springtime!

I'm going to take a blogging break for a little while but here are some photos of our day.

My girl on an overlook during our mountain bike ride.
An amazing spring flower, the tiny gem called a Spring Beauty. It's blooming everywhere!
The cacti on dry hillsides have begun to blossom. It's amazing that these barbed balls make such delicate flowers.
The Duo and I enjoyed another fabulous sunset.
First orange...
And then a fiery pink...

Yesterday afternoon, we had the honor of a visit from our elk herd who winters in our neck of the woods. They stay in our area until around the end of May. Then, they migrate up to the high mountains where the cow elk have their calves. After a summer of gorging themselves on succulent greens, they mate in September and October, before heading back down to our neck of the woods for the winter.

We don't know exactly how much longer they'll be around. They're shedding like fiends.
And, they're eating the green sprouts of grass. It's probably their best nutrition in months!
After a long winter, this time of year is very tough for them because they have almost no fat reserves remaining.
Most of the bull elk have shed their antlers but one young male near our house still had both spikes.
After I drove down the driveway, the herd crossed behind me, one-by-one.
It's unique to come home and find an elk traffic jam on my driveway!

See you all after my blogging break. I hope that everyone is healthy and happy.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks for leaving us with such great pics!

    As for a blogging break, I'd love to BUT Khyra is quite the taskmistress!

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  2. Enjoy your break, hope all is well. We will miss you and your wonderful posts.

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  3. Now, that is the kind of traffic jam we like! Great pics!

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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  4. OK, I think I have mentioned this before, but mama and me are a wee bit afraid of heights! Seeing K up on those rocks always makes us a little nervous. I guess that's why we live in the flat midwest and you live up in the mountains.

    Your pal, Pip

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  5. Thank you KB for sharing your beautiful world with us.
    Enjoy your break, and we hope everything is okay
    love
    tweedles

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  6. Enjoy your break! If I know you, you'll be back with more amazing pictures when you're done!

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  7. Know we will be thinking of you and yours in your paradise. Enjoy your break...hopefully it is to allow for good things...and we will be waiting for your return!

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  8. Wow - look at the pollen - such a fabulous color, too, on that cactus bloom. The duo look poised for adventure. Have fun.

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  9. I hope that all is well on your side of the Mississippi, and that you enjoy your break!! When you're able to come back, we'll be here! Take care!!

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  10. I have always wanted to see many cacti in bloom at the same time...it would be the best...I just know. We will be waiting patiently for your sweet return and pls hug K & R daily for us. Cheers and many happy thoughts!

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  11. Nice pictures - as always!

    We will be here when you get back - enjoy your break!

    Sam

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  12. You gave nice ideas here. I done a research on the issue and learnt most peoples will agree with your blog. Certainly, these practices are unfair; but they say that most of their rules are only to apply to people who overdraw.

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  13. Shaggy elks ! Summer must be nearly here .

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  14. Hi Y'all!

    My Human would love to put a "guilt trip" on you for taking a break...she and Papa look forward to your posts. Instead she hopes you have a wonderful time enjoying yourselves.

    Hope you'll be taking lots of pictures for us to see on your return!

    K and R, I'll miss vicariously running with you!

    Y'all hurry back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  15. Have a terrific break. We will all be here when you get back.

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  16. See ya soon, beautiful photos. Ran into a coyote yesterday morning at 5am in a residential neighborhood...
    Benny & Lily

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  17. Have a wonderful break and have fun! We love the pictures as always!! Beautiful! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly

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  18. Are you sure you don't want to trade an elk traffic jam for an LA traffic jam?? (BOL!!)

    Enjoy your break. We'll miss you. "The Trio" sends Mother's Day kisses!

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  19. Ahhhh, we're all kinda jealous of your elk herd! Amazing!

    The Road Dogs

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  20. Breaks are good. I think I could use one too. Enjoy!

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  21. Such amazing photos! Enjoy your blogging break. :)

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  22. All the snow on the distance peaks! Wonderful photos!

    Enjoy your time :)

    Sweet hugs,
    Sierra Rose

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  23. Nice to see your elk returning. As of last week, most here were still on winter range though we saw a few up the valley near calving grounds. Once the calves are born, they follow the snowline up, reaching the Alpine meadows c. mid-July or so. Biologist friends tell me the cows can delay calving a week or two when winter persists as it has this year.

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  24. Now that's my version of a traffic jam!

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