BEAR ENCOUNTERS

These are a few of my images I have taken over the years of bears.     

Near Fort Nelson in Canada.

Along the Alcan HighwayBritish Columbia

Clam Gulch, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. 

Kenai River, Alaska

This big brown scary grizzly had been down with the “combat fishermen” 

fishing for salmon.  He came by dripping wet and looking like he was a

 bit agitated with those anglers getting his salmon.

Yukon Territory

     Bears have been a big part of my life for many years. Living in Alaska in the 70s I cooked bear meat every way I could possibly think of.  I marinated it in burgundy, made stews, steaks, put barbecue sauce on it, canned it and even made baby food out of it.
 

      Berry picking season was the most exciting time of year.  It was when my friend Barbara and I left the kids with our husbands or sitters, loaded up the dogs in the truck, packed up our berry pickers,  357 magnum pistol and headed out to blueberry hill or the salmonberry patches.  We would fill buckets up while stepping over bear sign everywhere in the patches.  Getting berries were top priority and outweighed any fears of bears we had.

     After many close encounters with the bears I have acquired a respect for their space.  The turning point was when a bear and I almost collided outside an alder patch while we were both headed for the same blueberry bush.  We both turned and ran as my husky stood by so shocked he froze.

     Now days I shoot photos of bears from the safety of my vehicle with a long zoom lens. I  have a respect for their territory and stay my distance so as not to disrupt any part of their life.   It is such an amazing experience to see the bears in the wilderness and to have the opportunity to be able to glimpse and capture on a photo just a moment of their life.

Brown Bear-Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
©2013  Elaine Taddei.  This story and images are copyright and all rights are reserved

Baby Birds

Parenting is a full time job and birds are no exception to that.  There is a sense of such devotion and love as they work endlessly to hunt for food for their young even after the chicks have grown  larger than the parents themselves.  While the parents can grow thin from their tireless work the chicks can look larger than the parents.

Black Headed Grosbeak Both parents feed the nestlings.

Indian Valley-Plumas County, California

Near Anchor Point-Kenai Peninsula-Alaska

Bald Eagle feeding babies.

 

 Young Black Billed Magpie crying for food

Seldovia, Alaska

 

Blackbirds 

Indian Valley-Plumas County, California

 Arctic Tern 

Potter Marsh-Near Anchorage, Alaska

Previous Blog article on "Arctic Tern in Alaska's Potter Marsh". 

I want to end this post with a bird that is not feeding it's baby.  

This is one of my favorite photos that show the tenderness of a mother and her child. 

 This mother turkey actually has another chick snuggled deep under her wing. 

 Are birds capable of love?  Definitely!

Wild Turkeys

Seldovia, Alaska

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audubon.org
fws.gov (US Fish & Wildlife)

©2013  Elaine Taddei.  This story and images are copyright and all rights are reserved

SEASONS ALONG DEER CREEK

Deer Creek Runs along Highway 32 between Chester and Chico, California.
Located in Tehama County.
I travel this way quite often getting supplies for my business.
 The road is narrow and you can pull off anywhere and be out in nature.

The seasons all create such a diverse color scheme.
In the fall the green turns to reds and yellows

Silky water pools are abundant in this rocky area.  

In the spring and summer everything is surrounded by a lush green.

Gold in Deer Creek.
Evening presents the golden hour.
The light becomes soft and everything is a warm color.
A time to take a moment and sit quiet.

The narrow road runs along Deer Creek for miles.
On the way back home it is a good time to wind down and be thankful for the journey of the day.



©2013  Elaine Taddei.  This story and images are copyright and all rights are reserved

Back Yard Photography

I spent the day yesterday working in my yard.  I decided to keep my camera nearby just in case a photo opportunity came up.  Several did and thought I would share. 

RUBY CROWN KINGLET

This bird spent the day in the shady spots pecking at seeds and bugs.   He was very entertaining. 

His red cap would fluff up when he was on the alert. 

By the end of the day I had pulled out a shrub and small pine tree and replaced it with a cherry plum, and moved the white iris to a much needed sunny location.  It was a wonderful day because I was still able to fit in some photography and still get my chores done.

©2012  Elaine Taddei.  This story and images are copyright and all rights are reserved