Exploring Nature by Sheila Newenham
When I set out for Waterton National Park in Alberta, Canada, I imagined fall forests resplendent in golds, accented by oranges and reds. The smell of leaves composting into the earth and the peace of the earth quieting into winter. What I found was a … Continue readingWaterton Park and the 2017 Kenow Fire
I’ve only ever been charged by two species. The bear took only a few quick steps before stopping. The snowshoe hare, on the other hand, well, I was reminded of the killer bunny scene in Monty Python’s The Holy Grail. In 2014, on a trail … Continue readingSherman Peak Loop Trail
I jogged up the hill at the back of our property to try to locate the source of this new, intimidating smoke plume when my phone alerted. Watch Duty: New Wildfire. “Go Now” evacuations for the two main roads into my neighborhood. I turn and … Continue readingWhen Fire Comes
The Drive It’s obvious upon arriving at Big Cottonwood Canyon why it’s so popular. The road from the Salt Lake City valley into the Wasatch Front follows Cottonwood Creek as it races down the mountain, turbulent with spring snowmelt. The road winds through switchbacks lined … Continue readingDonut Falls Trail, Utah
Once I notice one pair of golden eyes glaring back at me, I see them throughout the grasslands here. How did I not know there are burrowing owls here!?! A lot of burrowing owls. I’ve explored Antelope Island State Park in Utah twice before. Antelope … Continue readingBurrowing Owls at Antelope Island
I can’t believe the profusion of wildflowers we stumbled upon! Looking for a relatively close, new hike for this spring afternoon, I decided on the Mineral Point Trail. It’s a four-mile out-and-back along Lake Pend Oreille through forested habitat. The trail courses up and down … Continue readingMineral Point Trail Wildflowers
My thigh muscles are sore. It wasn’t the hiking or climbing, but the confrontation of fears, and a persistent gripping, using my leg muscles to anchor me as I moved through my fear of falling on loose footing and high places.I tried to come here … Continue readingGrouse Creek Falls
Nunitsiny: Tsilhqot’in for “grizzly bear” One of the greatest benefits of quietly observing wildlife is seeing their unique personalities shine through their actions and expressions. Nowhere is this more evident than in the cubs. Like a pre-adolescent child not yet shaped by societal norms and … Continue readingBritish Columbia Grizzly Bears
Forest. For. Rest. Fall in North Idaho isn’t known for its color. Our forests are dominated by pine and fir with accents of larches that turn gold before casting their needles each fall. I did not expect Gold Hill to be so gold with fallen … Continue readingGold Hill Trail – A Fall Hike
A short hike to a mountain lake? Count me in! When I talked with people in town, everyone recommended the Boulder Lake trail. “It can get kinda busy on the weekends, but it should be good on a Wednesday. With that, I set out to … Continue readingBoulder Lake Trail in McCall