Crescent

Study To Be Quiet

Public Lands: A Great American Experiment

The Pleasures of the Trail

Time to get the kid out. We used nightcrawlers that, believe it or not, survived all winter in the fridge. Maybe that's why the fish turned up their noses at them.

But when the fish don't bite you throw some rocks and then head for the pleasures of the trail through the spring woods. You might think you've stayed in pretty good shape over the winter until you try to keep with a five-year-old.

The Communion of Like Minds (Hypno Squirrel)

"What Have I Learned" by Gary Snyder

Calochortus, mariposa lily

What have I learned but

the proper use for several tools?

The moments

between hard pleasant tasks

To sit silent, drink wine,

and think my own kind

of dry crusty thoughts.

—the first Calochortus flowers

and in all the land,

it’s spring.

I point them out:

the yellow petals, the golden hairs,

to Gen.

Seeing in silence:

never the same twice,

but when you get it right,

you pass it on.

"What Have I Learned" by Gary Snyder from No Nature. © Pantheon Books, 1992.

No Dice

The temp breaks 75 degrees. Good day to be on the water.

Still thinking about a big bass. My spring lunker was hanging out right down there among last year's reeds.

Everyone is enjoying the fine weather. Lots of hikers on the trails and a few other fishermen.

Oh, and the frisky breeze is there, too.

The only ones not around are the fish.

I can just manage to catch a log.

It calms. I wait at the head of the dam for dusk to come.

Then I work it thoroughly with a plastic worm.

No dice. I watch the bats tracing loops and right angles in the sky.

I finally accept the fact that I'm skunked again and kick in.

A Lovely Surprise

Last week we had yet another snowy night.

Then just when you're ready to give up, the weather warms and you wake up to this. We moved into this house in August so this is a lovely surprise.

We've been trying to savor the beauty while it lasts. There's a chance for more snow tonight.

Desert Bass Fly Fishing

I love trout, but let's give some time to smallies doing what they do best.

Rising Trout

Superb.