And many spring shades in between…
Oh, a more than welcome long weekend, and a chance to slip from the city and head for the hills. Or mountains, once past the foothills. Yoho was calling, a cabin was booked, and report cards will get written. Eventually.
The week before, the forecast was predicting a snow-rain mix and single digit temperatures, so we packed accordingly. Mountain weather is immune or exempt from the dark arts of weather forecasting. Snow-rain mix? That’ll be blue skies, fluffy clouds and temperatures into the teens. Haha, and ok, this made my weekend, already a long one, and now with better than expected outdoor weather. I know, a grown man, and still easily pleased or displeased by the weather…I do love the reliably unreliable mountains!
As we were about to set off towards the Kicking Horse and a short hike, we noticed a hummingbird had settled on a small bush outside the cabin. 
No way it’ll stay there while I reach for my camera in the backpack I thought to myself, reaching into the backpack for my camera. Well, it did, and the photograph posted is about the best I’ll ever get. What a colourful character! Made my morning even better, having been buzzed by several hummingbirds over morning coffee earlier. Caffeine buzz and hummingbird buzz, a pretty good start to the day.
To the Kicking Horse! Lots of cars, RVs, and a tour bus in the parking lot didn’t bode well. We did the usual, and went in the opposite direction, heading down the trail and wondering as we wandered about bear activity, thinking they’d be far from the noisy crowds. The trail grew quiet as we walked away, and the sun was pleasantly warm on our happy little faces. Fresh air, blue skies, dark evergreens, and bright deciduous spring greens all worked their soothing magic as we strolled along. A few steps off the main trail onto a side trail afforded us slightly precarious but lovely views of the Kicking Horse galloping and tumbling down the valley. Sounds, scents, and sights to delight.
Back on the main trail, we continued descending, still wondering about bear activity. I always find, when in bear country, the further you go the more every large boulder or dark shadow in the trees looks like a bear. It’s all in my head. As the trail snaked down and around a corner in front of us, I spotted another bear like shadow. Nope, it wasn’t moving, carry on. A few steps forward, and a little closer, and the shadow was moving, and so were the two smaller shadows my tired old eyes had missed. A mama bear and two cubs! They’d seen and heard us, likely way before I finally saw them, and as we stood still, they scampered across the trail and up the bank out of sight. What a thrill! What a grip Mrs PlaidCamper had on my arm. She didn’t see the bears – they were quick – but she dragged me away, quite rightly, before my curiosity outweighed my common sense, and we headed back the way we came.
We passed through the crowded parking lot at the trailhead and attempted to wander away from the throngs gathered at the natural land bridge. It is a pretty spot, but best enjoyed early or late, and we were neither. I took a few photographs of the rushing river as we stopped to enjoy the views, and it was all very pleasant, but too busy. We should have arrived far sooner. Never mind – there’s always another day!
We returned to the cabin happy enough, and enjoyed the chance to sit in the warm sun and reflect on our brief bear encounter and the blue green mountain spring.
Thanks for reading, I always appreciate you taking the time, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
What a fantastic adventure. From the peace of the hummingbird capture to the thrill of seeing the Bears your posts always transport me to your world. Thanks PC, hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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Thanks, Miriam! Our weekend was pleasant, no bears this time, but bird life all about down by the river.
I hope your week is off to a good start!
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An absolutely lovely visit to Yolo, pc. I like hearing about your hiking thoughts and decisions, especially being on the look-out for bears. VERY exciting to see a mother bear and her two cubs, and fun hearing about Mrs. PC’s tight grip. You bring the trail and the hike right to us through your words. Then of course the photos really add an extra dimension, gorgeous mountain waters, loved the hummingbird and rock formations. Great post.
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I hope you’re having a great long weekend, Jet!
We had such fun out in Yoho, with the wildlife and spring feel, it was wonderful. The fleeting glimpse of the bears down the trail was a thrill, and the bruises on my arm are fading…
Thanks, as always, for reading and leaving your kind comments, it’s a delight to hear from you each time!
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The second photo with the green water and rocks is my favourite. Great colours and composition!
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Thanks, Jane! I point and shoot, then sometimes crop a photo, but out in the mountains, it is the place that does all the work – I just turn up!
I hope you are having a pleasant start to the week.
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that rock formation (second picture) is columnar jointing.It’s basalt from a volcanic pipe.The cooling forms these tall columns .
Great post.
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And the formations are really beautiful – they were a pleasure to see.
Good to hear from you, Wayne, and I hope you’re still enjoying a period of fine weather to be out and shooting!
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Beautiful shot on the hummingbird. They’re such wonderful little birds. I spent a good chunk of my weekend in the mountains listening to some very active hummingbirds do their thing. It was very relaxing.
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Every time we see and hear hummingbirds it is a thrill. I grew up in London, and all the pigeons, so hummingbirds are still exotic to me!
Sounds like you had an excellent weekend out there.
Thanks, Douglas, and enjoy your week!
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Great photo of a rufous, and those lovely flowing shades of blue and green, with narrative impact of a bear and cub tale– no mention if that was a black or a griz (probably luckier if a black with cubs) but dynamic either way. Fine weekend post!
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Oops! That was a narrative hole! The bears were black bears – I think if they had been griz, my heart would still be pounding…
Glad you enjoyed this one, Walt, thanks as always, and I hope your weekend found you out and about!
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Gorgeous photos and how wonderful to share your morning coffee with the hummingbirds and the trails with a bear and its cubs, that thankfully made a quick exit. The hummingbirds have not arrived here yet, but it should be soon. Always enjoy your mountain tales!
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Hummingbirds are so delightful to watch – I’d happily spend many an hour drinking a cup of coffee and admiring them! I hope you get to see them soon out your way.
Thanks, and have a wonderful week!
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