ember2

Nearly three weeks since I last posted! In recent days other things have taken precedencewar, growth, and spring. While there is still two feet of snow on the ground in this part of the valley the change is happening. Everyday a new bird begins advertising his presence through song (varied thrush, golden crowned kinglet, and this morning the first song sparrow of the season). And the days are markedly longer. Twilight lingered this evening until 9:45pm and in another month or so we will have almost 24 hours of functional daylight.

I went to the coast this afternoon. Rumor has it that a few coastal grizzlies have emerged from their winter slumber and are shambling along the banks in search of a long awaited meal. From the canal I followed a bear trail through ancient stands of spruce and hemlock and over moss covered detritus. A small stream flowed beneath a slab of ice. Standing on it I could feel a subtle resonance--the movement of subsurface water trickling from the highlands.

Walking further along the stream I found clump of devils club. Like velcro each wand had a wad of long silver hair attached to ita collection taken from the backs of grizzlies as they moved through last season.

No fresh bear sign todayseems a bit too early. Still, this fecund rain forest is awakening.

Soon they will be here