To all my fellow Canucks.

This beauty had a light golden coat on his shoulders and back, and was totally oblivious to my passing by — looks like that time of year again, when the only thing the bruins are worried about is obsessively chowing their way up to hibernation weight.

For those who have asked how close these wild animals are to passers by, I walked around the trail from where I shot the above photo, and tried to take another shot (shown below) for perspective.  See the guy riding by on his bike? He didn’t notice the bear at all. Neither did the golfers putting away on the green to the left of the biker. I shot the above pic a little further ahead and to the right of that cyclist — and the bear is the brown blot hidden behind greenery in the depression to the right. Make sense?

And just to see how often we walk past these foraging beasts, perhaps not even noticing they are there –  if you look real close at the pic below, you can see the ear and part of the back of the head of a fairly large black bear munching berries in a patch about two arms lengths off the trail …. can you spot him? Makes one think twice before scrambling through the brambles search of berries, eh?

In this last pic (below), you can just see the very black, rounded tip of his ear.

You’d be forgiven, on occasion, for thinking I live in Disney’s version of a Canadian ski resort. On days like today, I think that, too. So clean, so picture-book perfect. So many millions of dollars to live in those houses — or to leave them standing empty while you live somewhere else — like George Lucas, who has recently bought a property in town, adding his name to a growing list of international celebs. At least my abode looks a little ragged around the edges, a lot more lived in

And on a writing note — I was THRILLED to find this awesome review from Enduring Romance blog spot for THE HEART OF A RENEGADE. Thank you so much Robyn and Kimber An. Enduring Romance will also be hosting a cyber book launch party for the talented Linnea Sinclair tomorrow, August 7th, all day … please pop on by!

Well, I figure he was hanging his wings out like that because he was hot — it was over 90 F. And even hotter after my run. Temps are climbing again  today … and the old brain is cooking while my imagination is supposed to be in the middle of an Alaskan snowstorm. Go figure. I seem to be writing the Congo and Sahara books in mid winter, and the ‘cold books’ in mid summer.

In Callaghan country.

I feel what must be the thrill of a hunter when I can capture, and take away, a shot of a bruin. DH and I saw two this afternoon during my break from MANHUNTER galleys. One was this gorgeous brown-coated bear above, unusual in these parts. And one a rather mangy and deformed creature (below).

The mangy guy hightailed it up the grass bank when I tried to shoot him. Can you see his back, the odd chunks of missing hair? Wonder what happened to him, and if he has any friends. I fancy he’s a young male been booted out his mom’s territory, and sent to look for his own spot far away in Callaghan country. Perhaps he’s been in a fight? Can’t stop thinking about him.

But I should be thinking of MANHUNTER — good thing there’s bears in there

Hmm — I can think of more comfortable ways to get numb. Probably still hurt just the same the next day

Happy weekend, people!

What, I ask, are they doing to my trails?

I think I shall call the mayor ….

My path today. About one hour, in SUNSHINE. Yes, sun! I promise to be good if you come back tomorrow.

That would be me — a wilderness geek. Or would that be freak? I mean, I really *do* carry a ruler with me when I go running. Just in case, you know? I might run across a good print, or something. Like these perfect Black Bear paw marks above. Then I might want to size and document them. And of course, for that I need my camera …

My equivalent of a pocket protector would probably be the small ziplock bags that protect the bear banger cartridge I carry with me.  I live in irrational fear that it will get wet and fizzle when I finally aim it at the jowls of a hungry cougar. Either that, or detonate prematurely in my pack. (Can just see the headlines)

I also carry an MP3. And dog spray. Think I need to lighten up some? Seriously, I’d have a much better run if I did. But then … I’d miss capturing prints like those.

It’s all the fault of MANHUNTER, I tell you  — I should never have started the tracking research needed for that book. It set me down an interesting path … and I think I might have missed my calling. Then again …  I can always put my growing body of tracking skills into stalking editors. See? I really *should* have gone to Thrillerfest … I could have put in some practice!!!