Wind That Growls

This morning I woke up before the sun to head up on the mountain and take a small hike. It started out very nice and ended very nice. It was the in between parts that added some spice to life. I've been on big mountains where wind is very strong and very loud, but today I found a new kind of wind. The breeze was gently pushing the branches back and forth when all of a sudden it let loose a growl that actually broke branches on trees near me. It sounded like the wind was full of an angry vengance with each of the enormous gusts that whipped by me. Along with the wind I got every kind of element you can have I think: snow, rain, hail, and sunshine. It made the whole experience much more interesting. I was grateful for the temperamental weather.

  I was about a mile into my hike just strolling along enjoying life when I heard something move to my right. About eight feet away off the trail was a large moose. We sat there for a few seconds and had what seemed to be a staring contest. Then we snapped out of it, and I'm not sure who screamed louder, me or the moose. In the end the moose trotted off into sunrise...shouldn't that be the sunset? It was a friendly reminder that I was just a visitor in the mountains and that the hosts are sometimes a little larger than myself. The other wildlife that I saw while there included a few deer, a bunch of turkeys, and four heart attacks (aka grouse). Anybody who has spent time in the mountains knows what I mean about the grouse. They wait until you practically step on them to fly up in a flustered mess of a take-off.

As I wandered in the mountains this morning I kept noticing signs of spring wanting to take hold and bring new life. It was met with a fair amount of resistance today by ol' man winter. The snow landing on the new buds was a perfect example of the "transition" seasons on the Palouse. The small sprouts on the ground desperately trying to beat the competition for the sunshine. The leaves from autumn slowly decomposing and helping the next generation. The streams flowing very purposefully. The Caloscypha fungi sprouting it's small cups out of the ground. The newly fallen trees who didn't survive winter laying solemnly on the ground. It all came together to make a picture perfect spring morning. It's the small things that make the big things matter, mother nature knows that best in my opinion. 

The Caloscypha's Beginnings

Attempting to capture the Caloscypha but not realizing my phone had flipped to the back camera.

Just a little tidbit about the Caloscypha fungi, also know as the orange peel fungus, it only grows in the spring. The only time you can find it, typically, is between March and July. It begins growing shortly after the snow has melted from the ground. And the final fact is this, it is a protected species in Slovakia.

Sorry the photos are so/so, I forgot my camera on the way out the door. These will have to suffice for now. I hope everyone finds time to get outside and enjoy Spring!