This past weekend I have spent my mornings hiking and my afternoons trail riding on my horse. Spending all these hours on the trails has given me the opportunity to enjoy the subtle act that I think so many people overlook while trail running, mountain biking and even trail riding on horseback sometimes, Spring is occurring. Yes, the beauty of spring, the snow is melting, the trails are drying out, and the flowers are blooming.
Where I live there is a tiny window of perfection with regard to the outdoors. This tiny window of no ticks, no flies, no mosquito's, no spiderwebs, no snakes and no poison ivy/oak. This tiny window only lasts a week. Apparently that week was two weeks ago!
This past week I found a tick crawling on my pant leg. GROAN!!! Ticks have been so bad in the past couple of years that they drive the horses mad, and attempt to carry off my dog. They make hiking impossible.
Spiderwebs are my nemesis with regard to the trails. I absolutely hate spiderwebs. I always insist on being the second, third, fourth, or best yet last person on the trail either hiking or trail riding on horseback. Why is last so desirable? Everyone else takes out the spiderwebs. When I ride my horse and we run into spiderwebs it seems like I'm karate chopping the air going crazy on the back of my horse. My arms are flailing around like I'm being attacked by an entire nest of spiders. I have been known to bring feather dusters on trail rides to hopefully knock down spiderwebs before they plaster my face. I also have been known to utilize a more effective tactic….a branch with leaves as pictured below!
He is, I think, a harmless little garter snake, but a snake none the less. Unfortunately, seeing one little snake means the others are out as well. It's not snakes that I dislike, but rather the Copperhead snake bites that occur regularly at the Lake I enjoy. How often do they occur that I consider to be regularly? Well, during prime season I'd say our local hospital takes care of a snake bite about every 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. Anti-venom treatments can cost $50,000+ and copperhead bites can causes lasting tissue damage, all things I'd like to avoid.
Fortunately, my window of trail perfection also opened Saturday during the trail ride on horseback. I saw this amazing feathered friend. It's a beautiful owl. I'm not sure what kind and I was kicking myself for not having my better camera along. I sometimes will pack along my nice camera on the trails. Especially on days when I'm taking a longer ride and might pass by the Eagle's nests. I love seeing the Eagles and their young. It's just amazing to watch them catch fish and feed their young. I do have to say I was really excited about this owl. I have seen a few owl's along the lake but this guy was pretty content in the tree near us and didn't seem bothered by the horses. I hope to have my other camera along when we take this route again to snap a better photo.
Jon and Winston waiting for me to snap another picture before moving on. They hike at a much quicker pace than I do and are so kind to hike ahead and stop and take breaks while I catch up! Hopefully, I'll get faster when I don't have to be quite as cautious not to twist my knee.
We found some neat sort of mushroom growing on the trees. I'm not sure what kind they are exactly but seem to be thriving this time of year.
Winston taking a water break. He really likes this water bowl since it doesn't collapse. The only hard part is that when it is collapsed down it looks like a Frisbee and Winston gets really excited hoping to play!
There is a small stocked pond near the lake and along the trails. It is very peaceful and had a mating pair of ducks with four younger ducks. I am not sure how old they were but I think they were too old to be born this year. Unfortunately, they were not willing to let me photograph them. They were a bit camera shy!
I hope you were able to get out and enjoy mother nature this weekend or this week! Even an evening walk helps clear the mind! Enjoy the weather before the bugs, humidity, heat, snakes and spiders!
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