A Walk Along the Tobacco River

Yesterday I had to run errands in town. Where I live there is little in the way of services so I must take my trash to the dump and go to the post office to pick up my mail. Both of those two were on my "to do" list. I always try and work in some kind of a walk when I'm down in the valley just for a change of scenery. Also, at this time of year hunting season is open and it can be a little dicey wandering around in the woods where I live .

Taking the path toward Pigeon Bridge along the Tobacco River is always a favorite. I never fail to see something that makes me so grateful to live here. Fall was late in coming this year but once it got started it came on fast and now the color is nearly gone, the trees shedding their golden leaves at a prodigious rate.

At one point on the path the trail is bounded on both sides by great towering Cottonwood trees. As we walked along a breeze would kick up and there would be a crinkling sound like someone balling up cellophane and golden confetti would rain down on us. The path was carpeted with fallen leaves. I don't know what it was about those leaves but scuffling along through them I felt like a kid. I could hear my mother calling "Pick up your feet!". Funny how such simple things can conjure up so many memories that bring a smile to one's face. I thought to myself "Not listening Mama".

The sun was tring to put in an appearnace but it was a pretty weak effort. Still it was better than the past few days which have been just dreary. Earlier in the week I had three inches of snow. It didn't stick very long but for a few hours it looked very much like winter.

Below are some of the things I saw on this walk. All of the photos were taken with a Panasonic Lumix point and shoot.

Path of Gold

Koty enjoying the autumn leaves

Larch or Tamarack. The thing about Larch is that they are a needle tree that loses its needles in the Fall. In the Fall they make a beautiful patchwork in the evergreen forest of spruce and fir. Many newcomers to the area cut down their beautiful larch thinking that they are dead.

Another great great thing about this trail is that you always seem to run into someone but it's seldom a two legged. This is a blacktail buck with his harem. It's that time of year.

A pair of bald eagles sitting in a Cottonwood tree along the Tobacco River.

I thought this was such a pretty little mushroom. I have absolutely no idea what label has been given to it but mine is Petticoat Mushroom

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©Kinsey Barnard

Tobbaco River Goes Bank to Bank and Then Some

Thursday I had to go down to town to pick up the mail and run a few errands. Since we were already in the neighborhood I decided to walk the Rexford Trail along the Tobacco River. Holy smokes! That old river is really raging. It's the highest that I have ever seen it run.

Usually the old car across the way isn't even near the water. This year it could get swept away.

Tobacco River

The thing that was so impressive was the speed at which the water was traveling, just awesome power to behold.

The water is over the bank here. Those boulders are very recently arrived and it looks like a good thing too!

Naturally, Koty has to get in the water to see how things are flowing.

Some clever person placed a heart made from railroad spikes in the trail.

Lots of signs of spring along the trail like these pink dogwood blooms.

Beautiful new life was budding out all over.

A bald eagle watches over the Tobacco River as well as it's nest which no doubt has new life in it too. There is nothing so regal as the eagle.

 

Dang me! Dang me! They ought to take a rope and hang me! My Space is just too beautiful!


©Kinsey Barnard

Snow Fleas and Sad News

Well, howdee! After two weeks I am only 95%. What ever bug that was it was a doozie. Or, maybe it's my age but I don't think so.

Speaking of bugs I made a discovery this week. I had gone down to my gate to clean up some new fallen snow when I noticed what looked like soot on the snow. I thought that was rather strange as the chances of there being soot on the snow, out here in the wilderness, is slim and none. Then, since I love in conspiracy country I thought con trail those danged Feds have dropped something on us. But, when I put my nose right down on the snow I saw a writhing, popping mass of living organisms. I'd never noticed anything like. I mentioned the phenomenon to my neighbors who set about an internet search. Turns out the little devils are snow fleas. Thank goodness they aren't really "fleas" or it would be mighty unpleasant as they number in the kabillions.

I got some very sad news this week. A man I had know since I was a teenager, and extremely fond of, was killed by a wildebeest near his home in Nanyuki. Julian had been a professional hunter in Kenya until hunting was banned in 1972. Thereafter he had taken people on camel/photograph safaris. At the time of his passing he was nearly eighty years old. By this time I had thought he would just pass away quietly in his sleep. It never in a million years occurred to me that a wild animal would get him whilst he took and afternoon walk with his dogs. A very clear reminder to those of us who wander the wilds that a wild thing can take you down at any time. It wouldn't at all surprise me if this same sort of thing didn't happen to me one day. I certainly hope not but it's always a risk.

To say I was saddened by this news would be a great understatement. I spent a lot of time wandering and reflecting down near the Tobacco River there was much more than just my reflecting going on.

Tobacco River

It never ceases to amaze me, the effects of the seasons upon the landscape. It's like a living painting that is not bound by canvas and oils. Forever changing and reshaping itself into wonderous momentary images.

Tobacco River

I also took several walks out in the woods. Yesterday I followed elk tracks and before long discovered a wolf was following them too. I never saw the wolf but I certainly did see the elk. The were over the side of the trail and when they got wind of us they went crashing through the woods like a herd of elephant. Very goosie and for very good reason.

As usual Koty was busy doing what Koty does best, hunt out trophies to gnaw on in the snow.

Koty

That was our week as we took the bitter with the sweet.


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Osprey, Kocanee, Lagoni and Fall Colors

As usual, we took our weekly walk along the Tobacco River. The Fishing Birds were perched in their trees looking for salmon to catch.



And, of course, the kocanee were there for them to catch. I was just playing around with this photo of the salmon. I love the way the motion of the water turns the fish into more of a colorful abstract photo rather than just a picture of some fish.



Up at Burma Pond just a bit of fall color is beginning to show.



But, down on the trail to Lagoni Lake it's beginning to look a lot like fall! Lagoni was the destination for our main outing this week. We had never been there before so we thought we'd check it out. It's a short drive from 93 to the trailhead. The trail is pretty short too. It's maybe just a mile in distance.



But, once again we struck pay dirt as this turned out to be another pretty little lake. We really like to explore water sites as they have a tendency turn up some of the best Landscape Photos.

We also tried to get to Stillwater lake but our efforts there were thwarted by a downed tree. We will return for further exploration of this area because there is definitely more to see.



The above is a photo of a moon set we had that was pretty awesome.

That pretty much sums it up for us for now. We are starting to get things ready for winter cuz the chill is most definitely in the air.

©Kinsey Barnard

Pyramid Mountain, Patricia & Pyramid Lakes, Big Horns & Elk

Before I get back to our Canadian story I have to tell you, true to her word, mom did take me for a walk along the Tobacco River and the fall colors were just awesome. The walk was a gift to both of us!



September 10, 2007

We started the day at Patricia Lake. This little lake and Pyramid Lake are very close to Jasper township. Looks to me like a place where local people would come to play, swimming and canoeing and such. But, the thing about Patricia is the view of Pyramid Mountain. Pyramid looks pretty much like its namesake. It provides an impressive backdrop for Jasper. Patricia sits smack dab in front of it. Mom could tell there was a photo op here. The mountain is reflected in the lake and early calm water could produce a stunning photograph. We were just a little too late for this day but made a date with ourselves to return first thing tomorrow morning.

From Patricia we continued on to Pyramid Lake, which is only a stones throw further down the road. There looks to be a very nice lodge on this lake, which is also pretty but does not have the same view of the mountain as Patricia.

By this time I was getting rambunctious for a walk so we went to the end of the tarmac road and took off down and a closed dirt road that ran along the lake. For no particular reason we took one of the many side trails that went down to the waters edge. While I was sniffing all the glorious odors we heard what sounded like a fish jump. But, mom thought it sounded like too heavy a splash for a fish. Course, she could have been very wrong about that because just a few minutes earlier at Patricia a fisherman had told us the rainbow trout in these parts get really big. He said the record taken from Maligne Lake was twenty-two pounds! Now, that’s a lot of trout! But mom was right, on this occasion, because as we stood there looking out over the lake a beautiful loon popped up right in front of us. Make this photograph as big as you can. What's going on with the water is very interesting.

We continued on up the road but after awhile the road turned away from the lake and we turned back. When we got back to the parking area it was just a short stroll down to where you can walk out to Pyramid Island. This is a very pretty little island that has a footbridge to reach it and very nice views. I point these things out because I think you might be interested. Personally, I could give a fig. My nose was in overdrive. There were so many incredible aromas. So many smells to chase, so little time. Soon we headed back to the RV Park for lunch and a siesta.

Late this afternoon we headed out to see if mom could get some shots of mountain goats or big horn sheep. They are known to hang on the cliffs out along highway 16 north of Jasper. We didn't find any goats but we did find some Big Horns but ewes only. On the way we stopped to wander along the Miette River and made a stop at the Palisades (pictured) interpretive site.

At Palisades we took off for a little walk and very shortly ran into a gal that said she had come across a bull elk if we cared to photograph it. Well, it was back to the car for me. Mom changed camera lenses because she assumed she would need her telephoto. As mom tells it, it turned out to be the wrong assumption. Apparently, she nearly fell over the thing as he was sitting in the shadows right along the trail. He could have cared less about her presence and wasn’t in the least inclined to move from his repose. There wasn’t much in the way of a photograph either. The shorter lens would have been just fine! Better in fact.

That pretty much took care of this day.

©Kinsey Barnard