In a dark black sky the stars are twinkling bright, waiting to be dimmed. It's 4:30 in the morning and if I felt better it would be a good time to get in the rig and venture out to see what other wildlife is awakening to the day. I guess it is true what they say that it is always darkest before the dawn. I have five weeks to go in the pregnancy and it sure feels like "the darkest before the dawn". Feels like I'm waiting on spring, the sun, the deck to be finished, and the snow level to diminish (though it is not as high as last time this year), and the new baby to arrive. Will she enjoy the same outdoor activities as I do? Will she love collecting rocks and sticks like Clara does? Will she be more mellow & calm and sleep through the night? Or an early morning star gazer like I am right now? No doubt she'll be a mountain girl and I hope she enjoys hiking and the lake as much as we all do.

St. Patty's Day Moose

As I slowly drove up to the crest of the hill on the old country road, a large black moose lunged at me from the left. The road was still choppy snow & ice and I could tell he didn't want to have to jump into the 2 to 3 foot plus snow on the sidelines... so he ran beside me as the road bent east. I'm sure he is the same moose I spotted in December with his large symmetrical rack. That would've been a great photo! His curved spoons collected large white snowflakes as he stood dark and silently within a snow storm. Didn't have my camera ready though. This time I didn't even have my camera with me! Very rare. Anyway his rack must've shed somewhere between the crest of the hill and where I first spotted him. He's been hanging out to eat in this area the last few months.
Anyway, this time he galloped awkwardly beside my vehicle, then veering off into the ditch and into the snow that was still up to his knees. He didn't mind my presence as I pulled over to watch him graze on the bottom limbs of tall pine trees. The snow seems to make everything silent at certain times. I was able to watch him surrounded by white and green, munching on the food available at just his height. Sometimes it's beneficial to not be peering from behind the camera trying to get the best shot. Enjoying the moment and the closeness to nature is at times more precious and definitely needed.