I’m in the mountains, at my cabin, with my friend. It’s all lovely.
The sky is free of the smoke that has at times drifted south from Yosemite fires.
Myriah and I drove up earlier this week. She’s never been here before and hadn’t envisioned how remote and un-resortlike it is. We have been talking a lot, catching up on the last 65 years of each other’s lives, including learning how our respective parents met, details of our childhoods and college years and our children’s and grandchildren’s babyhood and wonderfulness.
We’ve been walking, reading, cooking, sitting on the deck. We saw strange large birds our first morning, that we haven’t been able to identify based on our brief glimpse of them thudding into the window and flapping in the trees. That was special enough, to have a close encounter with something other than a Steller’s Jay up here. But this morning while drinking my morning tea I saw a bright bird that quickly flew off, but that had such distinctive colors he was easy to identify from a “Birds of the Sierra Nevada” pamphlet: he is a Western Tanager!
I have no hope of getting a photograph of this fellow, if he even comes near again to sit in a pine tree, so I am showing a picture I found. He has been the highlight of my stay so far. I was as happy as if I had found a bag of gold under a hunk of granite.
Gladsome Lights 
Oh, enjoy! I saw a Scarlet Tanager here once – he came in a flash, but couldn’t have been anything else.
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An alternate title for this post might be : “Bird Watcher in the Mountains.” I hope you have many more messages in flight during your visit.
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Few things are as wonderful as sitting with an old friend and just talking, watching the birds and enjoying life.
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Wow, how wonderful to have a cabin in such a beautiful place and what a lovely bird to visit you. Glad you had such a nice time with your friend.
FlowerLady
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It is so reassuring to see the California I have stored in my memory. The news trys to imprint the very worst as state wide. I am so happy you have that spot so close to heaven!
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Strange how it can be a source, that granite.
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So nice to get your post! I love the High Sierras and I must confess, I envy you just a little! Last couple of days have been nice here, no humidity and pleasant temps. I have been feeling pretty good, don’t seem as tired anymore and have been skipping my nap…maybe it was stress!!!???
M.Seraphima
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Love the beautiful Tanager…I used to see them in the North in the Fall…brilliant and haunting as one faces the winding down of the year…
Leslie
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I’ve never seen a tanager of any sort. Thanks for sharing yours!
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I’ve seen one Western Tanager in my life and this summer my granddaughter, who is a fabulous 10 year old birder, saw one! I’m always hoping to see one during migration. I’m so happy for you to see it!
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How delightful! Your first sentences sent a feeling of peace through me. To be in a cabin in the mountains with a friend! Of course, I always think of the Appalachian Mtns., but it’s the same feeling 🙂 Enjoy.
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