Little close up of the ptarmigan female found near the beaver pond. She hung out with us for about 20 minutes. Didn't seems afraid but wouldn't let you closer than about 3 feet.
The white is just starting to speckle her feathers as she transitions from summer colors to winter white. Lovely point of time for the more dreary colored female.
She wandered along the path just ahead of us for a while, like she had joined in for the hike. Now in the open path, she stayed well ahead, she turned off into the brush a few feet further on.
First view of one of the granite plinths left from ancient volcanic shafts, now Angel Rocks.
Another view through the trees, now the whole hillside is coming into view.
Lovely framed shot through the tree's Really makes one stop and take a breath seeing these suddenly looming.
Elizabeth has gotten ahead. This was the beginning of a more spiritual journey that took us right out of the world and into a the hands of mother nature and her elementals.
View over the river valley as the path opened onto the first of the rock tops.
Looking over to another plinth from the top of the first. The foliage on the hills in the distance were destroyed by a large fire four years ago.
Probably the oldest birch we've seen, bonsia'd naturally to the rock face. The wind went still as we gazed at this. It stands as testimony that before adversity strength of will can hold you true.
The unforgiving stone at the top, carved by years of weather into an exotic shape.
A spruce that thrived for years in this crevace until time wore away the very ground it stood in and washed away all nourishment. Even in death it is a fierce stand for survival.
A wild sage, rarely seen. The leaves are in star shapes, but the scent is unmistakable.
From a ledge where we enjoyed the afternoon basking in the warm sun on the rock.
View down to the trail leading up, wonderful fall foliage on the birch and aspen.
Chena river valley from the ledge to the west. One main road followed the river, no other sign of man. There is a roof in the photo and a small cabin just off to the right. Further right you would end on the road at the hot springs where thermal activity provides a microclime for fruit trees and self-sustaining energy. Chene Hot Springs energy efferts were shown on the today show last spring.
Southern view of the valley. The sun had lit up the water, made a wonderful photo opportunity.
Elizabeth on the ledge at lunch. What a pleasure it was she could come and visit me and we could enjoy such a great day at angel rocks.
Fresh water spring in the gulley just off the trail as we headed down.
I tasted the water, fresher than spring rain, I felt I had found the Ent pool from a tolkien novel.
A few trail shots coming down in the afernoon sun. It was shadowed going up.
Birch woods along the trail in the sun.
Here are photos that belong at the top, but I hadn't realized they would have to be loaded backwards to post correctly for a story. 
This is a natural beaver pool where we found a female ptarmigan, our state bird, just starting to turn her winter white.
A view through the trees across the river, oh how I miss having a river close by!
Interesting rock tumble that looks lika little dog to me. This is all carpeted with lingonberry, the wild lowbush cranberry. It was a bad berry year or it would be brimming with little scarlet berries.
Here is some fall turning moss on some rocks. We've an amazing array of this sort of thing, the tundra is really layers of moss on cold earth.
Birch growing up a rock tumble next to the trail.
We were greeted at the trailhead by the most playful little stoat I have ever seen, since this is the first I've seen. Just running back and forth and looking at me and then running back and forth again. One of the most inquisitive and inviting wild creatures I have ever come across.
View along the road out to the trailhead. Promising to be a warm and sunny day!
Angel rocks in the distance poking out of the hillsides.
This is a natural beaver pool where we found a female ptarmigan, our state bird, just starting to turn her winter white.
A view through the trees across the river, oh how I miss having a river close by!
Interesting rock tumble that looks lika little dog to me. This is all carpeted with lingonberry, the wild lowbush cranberry. It was a bad berry year or it would be brimming with little scarlet berries.
Here is some fall turning moss on some rocks. We've an amazing array of this sort of thing, the tundra is really layers of moss on cold earth.
Birch growing up a rock tumble next to the trail.
We were greeted at the trailhead by the most playful little stoat I have ever seen, since this is the first I've seen. Just running back and forth and looking at me and then running back and forth again. One of the most inquisitive and inviting wild creatures I have ever come across.
View along the road out to the trailhead. Promising to be a warm and sunny day!
Angel rocks in the distance poking out of the hillsides.
1 comment:
I love your pictures! you should really make a book. You have a way with words and and eye for photography that is really amazing! Think about it! i love you!
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