Sunday, January 27, 2013

One Seldom sees...

these feline predators but they inhabit the forests and chaparral within and surrounding  the town Truckee.
coming out of cover...on the stalk
They are more easily seen now because of the snow on the ground. During summer and fall they are well camouflaged amongst the foliage and ground-cover.
 
This bobcat is a Lynx rufus not a Lynx lynx. The former's range is here in the US while the latter is found predominately from the Canadian border north. It was stalking a hare; but its was pre-empted in its quest when a hawk swooped-down through the trees and picked-up the hapless hare.
 
This series of images was photographed in Truckee in resident Ellie Hyatt's back-yard forest.  She lives at about 6300' elevation northwest of NorthStar ski resort's Mount Pluto.
moving in...
stealthily
Oh well! ...after the raptor appeared and lifted-off its prey

Monday, January 21, 2013

I Do Miss Patagonia.

I was recently reminded that I haven't been to southern Chile in two years. A friend is  planning a DYI fly fishing venture there for '14. It is summertime there now...and there are very few people...lots of solitude.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Decisions...Decisions for 2013 Winter

We're wishing everyone had a pleasant beginning for 2013...and hoping that everyone has a propserous and healthy 2013.
Currently the weather in Truckee is blue skies, no wind and glistening/sparkling snow. Karen has been both skiing and snow-shoeing with her crew...Me, shoveling lot of snow (haven't used the out-of-tune snow-blower); definitely needing good cardio work-outs.
 
 


This is a good start as far as snow fall. This morning I read  that the average water-content in the the Sierra is 134%; a good start. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the precipitation continues with the beautiful interludes we're experiencing now.
 
Currently we're conflicted about the numerous options available during the next 3 months not including spare-of-the-moment local fly fishing (access permitting); snow-shoes are a good idea.


The only events that are cut-in-stone thus far are a full-moon, snow-shoe hike on January 25 or 26 and that I'll be at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show during February 23-25. Other than that we're, undecisively, thinking of "flying south" to visit good friends in San Diego and Malibu, reverse direction north to Seattle staying/visiting with family and extended family (five seperate groups!!), going to Fort Collins Colorado or the Green River in Utah...the latter two being flyfishing. I've ceased going to Chilean Patagonia and now I'm "bucket-listing" New Zealand for my next long-distance fly angling adventure...Tough life eh?

We're enjoying life...being thankful  and fortunate.