Tahoma, Bear and Cubs

Tahoma, Mother Bear

Out for an evening cycle ride through the woods and I was treated to an awesome sight – a mother bear and two cubs foraging in a small meadow.

Cycling back home, a child like scream was heard, and looking up from where it came, there was a young bear cub the other side of the meadow. Then another appeared, and then Mother, not too far away.

Slamming on the brakes and coming to an immediate stop, I grab my camera from it’s case and as quickly as possible switched to the zoom lens and started capturing photos.

The only trouble is that the zoom lens is difficult to hold steady without a tripod so a number of the photos came out shaky, which was a great shame as some would have been perfect. Something for me to work on getting better at.

Tahoma, Bear Cubs

However, the real joy was to watch these animals doing what they do naturally, it really was an awesome sight and one I will never forget. Especially the Mother bear tearing away at the bark of a tree to get to an ants nest and the young clubs playing together.

They are truly amazing animals and we should do everything to ensure they remain wild and a feature of Tahoe.

Here is a link to the Keep Me Wild campaign which provides some tips and education on how we can do just that and not just for the local bears.

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Shirley Lake, Squaw Valley

Shirley Lake, Squaw Valley

My first time hiking to Shirley Lake at Squaw Valley and I’ll definitely be doing it again. It’s a awesome trail to do, lots of different terrain and some amazing views of Squaw Creek and the Resort at Squaw Creek in the distance.

The Squaw Valley web site describes this hike as High Camp to Shirley Lake & down Shirley Canyon. However, doing the hike in reverse, starting at the base of Squaw Valley Village and hiking up Shirley Canyon to Shirley Lake and then on to the Squaw Valley High Camp, is a more strenuous approach.

A well deserved beer was had at Squaw Valley High Camp at the end of the hike, and the cable car ride back down, although lazy, was a welcome treat and provide some great views of the area.

The hike was well trodden and several folks were on the trail - it was a July 4th weekend - but I would highly recommend this trail.

As for the photo I love the reflection of the mountain in the lake!

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Monthly Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Michelle from Washington state who won the June 2009 prize draw. Michelle selected the Meeks Bay photo from May 2009. Check it out by clicking on the hot-link which will take you to SmugMug as this photo was not posted on the Blog.

Each month in 2009, Tahoe Photos is giving away a Tahoe Photos Reprint — an order value worth $50. For your chance to win, you must be a registered email subscriber. Please spread the word as the more email subscribers, the better prize we could offer!!

Summer, Tahoe City

Summer, Tahoe City

Well, considering I mentioned in my last posting (yesterday), that I had been a little negligent in posting this month, this one makes it two in a row!

Today was another clear and ‘blue’ day in Tahoe. I took a leisurely stroll downtown Tahoe City along the water front. People were out enjoying the sun on Commons Beach and waiting for the free Concert at Commons Beach this afternoon featuring  ‘Albino‘ to begin at 4pm.

I captured this photo just slightly East of were the Tahoe Gal is located. I just love the transition of the colors from deep blue skies to lush yellow and green ground cover.

Tahoe is an amazing place to live, I really enjoy the continual changing and new fresh scenery it delivers time after time. How can anyone get tired of such beauty.

More Tahoe Photos posted at Tahoe Photos and Tahoe Photos Gallery.

Spur Trail View

Spur Trail View

A short hike of about 1.5 miles takes you to the top of Spur Trail View, and what a view it is! To get to this vantage point the trail starts from HW267 just north of Kings Beach.

It was a beautiful day (again) in Tahoe, and it seems as though the crowds are arriving as it’s definitely busier this weekend, which is great news for the local merchants. However, getting away from the crowds below to a truly relaxing spot and to take in the scenery was a great way to chill out for awhile.

Here is something a little different. While waiting for the sun to reappear from the clouds I captured this photo which I thought turned out rather well.

Sun Cloud

I have been busy and traveling lately and not posted as many photos as I would have liked so my apologies. However, it’s officially Summer time and Tahoe is a great place to be in the summer, so come on down!!

More Tahoe Photos posted at Tahoe Photos and Tahoe Photos Gallery.

Homewood

Homewood

The view from the top of ‘The Face’ ski run at Homewood Ski Resort. The Face is a black run and probably the hardest slope at Homewood. However, it offers a tremendous view of the lake as you head to the lodge for that well deserved beer after a day of skiing! Of course at this time of year there is no snow but the views are still awesome.

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Miller Lake, Dead Trees

Miller Lake, Dead Trees

Wed afternoon, feeling I needed a break from my home office desk and to refresh the mind, I took a quick hike to Miller Lake.

Miller Lake is on the Rubicon Jeep Trail which is mainly used by Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) and All Terrain Vehicle (ATVs).

I actually did part of the Rubicon Jeep Trail on an ATV Tour with Lake Tahoe Adventures a couple of years ago and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Anyway, I captured this photo of an interesting clump of dead trees on the edge of Miller Lake. And if you’re wondering, the little exercise and Tahoe air did wonders for clearing the clogged brain cells!

More Tahoe Photos posted at Tahoe Photos and Tahoe Photos Gallery.

Monthly Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Iris from Tahoe who won the May 2009 prize draw. Iris selected the ‘Emerald Bay Crystals’ photo from January 2009. Check it out by clicking on the hot-link or using the calendar widget in the side panel to navigate to the right month.

Each month in 2009, Tahoe Photos is giving away a Tahoe Photos Reprint — an order value worth $50. For your chance to win, you must be a registered email subscriber. Please spread the word as the more email subscribers, the better prize we could offer!!

Eagle Falls Trail

Eagle Falls Trail

Another weekend spent hiking, well most of Saturday anyway. This time it was Eagle Falls Trail which takes you past Eagle Lake.

It’s about a 5-mile round trek to the intersection where the Eagle Falls Trail meets the Bayview Trail. At this intersetcion you can get some great views across the National Wilderness Basin.

This photo was taken on the trek back down and I felt it just made an interesting picture with Lake Tahoe in the distance nestled between the mountains.

More Tahoe Photos posted at Tahoe Photos and Tahoe Photos Gallery.

Cascade Lake and Falls

Cascade Lake and Falls

I decided to take a hike to Cascade Falls, which is adjacent to Emerald Bay, I could not have picked a better day. This time of year the waterfall, which is approximately 149ft high, is in full swing and even visible from the East Shore, if you know where to look. It’s actually an easy hike, about 1.5 miles and so it can be popular at this time of year, especially over Memorial Day Weekend

Who Is This

I took some time to hike above Cascade Falls as well as going off  the beaten track and across the many flowing streams to explore the area.

At one point I came across wildlife, just basking in the sun and enjoying the view. He didn’t seem to be too bothered with me sharing the moment with him, so we sat awhile and just enjoyed the view of Cascade Lake from our vantage point.

So here is the question, what animal is this?

There were so many awesome views of Cascade Lake and Cascade Falls, and so many photos to capture. I have posted more on Tahoe Photos Gallery but decided that this one was worth posting here.

Above Cascade Falls

It’s just above Cascade Falls and is one of the streams that combines with a few others to create the impressive and roaring Cascade Falls. I highly recommend a hike to Cascade Falls when you’re in the area.

 

More Tahoe Photos posted at Tahoe Photos and Tahoe Photos Gallery.