Just Our Nature: hiking meets travel, photography and birdwatching

We have done fewer "big" hikes in 2011.  As our interest in birding grows, we find ourselves dawdling more and seeing the trails differently than when our goal was to complete a loop, reach a waterfall, or bag a peak. This slower pace has not only let us see more birds, but we have also had closer encounters with animals.

Late this spring near the start of the Cub Lake Trail, just before it turns to the west, we saw marmots right on or just off the trail.  It seems that because of our slower approach they don't dart away as quickly.

On another day after hiking to The Pool, we were ambling around behind the shuttle stop enjoying the late afternoon light and watching hummingbirds and woodpeckers when we turned around and saw a mama elk with her baby on the ridge just behind us. Instead of running away, she led her baby right past us!

As for the "big" hikes, don't worry, we're not giving up on them! But you might want to check our out other blog, Just Our Nature where we're spending more of our time these days.