This male Brewer's blackbird entertained us while we hung out along the water on a recent Big Creek hike. That is, until we heard a couple of loud gunshots right behind us that caused him to take off somewhere else. I did get a few photos before he left. :)
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Our daylight is decreasing quickly this time of year. We got in a little over an hour and a half of hiking up Big Creek after supper tonight, coming out the last bit just past the official "last light" time. I shot these photos before it got too dark for pictures. The one above represents the mysterious atmosphere of the lower portion of Big Creek Canyon quite well. I've had two different women, at two different times, tell me they have driven to the trailhead to hike here during daylight, only to turn around and leave without hiking because they didn't like the eerie feeling they got. The growing darkness only magnifies the feeling of Big Creek, but it's a wonderful place to hike. :)
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The water is quite low this time of year, but always fascinating.
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We don't always have time to get in the bigger hikes we really like, but because we are so closely surrounded by the mountains, we are blessed with being able to get out for quick little hikes every now and then, too.

It's just a matter of deciding to do it and then following through. Like this quick little after-supper evening jaunt we took up Big Creek recently. A 3-mile hike that took us an hour (plus a little driving time).

Wildflowers have a special way of capturing my attention anywhere I go, and I love how they are ever changing throughout spring, summer, and fall. The glacier lilies and trillium are in full bloom on many of the trails this time of year, but the trillium are especially abundant along Big Creek.

These quick little hikes aren't nearly as exciting as the larger ones, but it's always wonderful to get out and enjoy a little exercise in nature and experience the changing landscape through the various seasons. A nice alternative to sitting around on the couch feeling like a bump on a log. :)