Brummet's Conscious Blog

Bears – Know what to do if you see one * Mark Danenhauer wrote this article. He also writes a blog, Jake's Nature Blog http://jakesnatureblog.com, that contains nature facts about the Rocky Mountains and being outdoors. If you are out hiking in the mountains then you are a lucky person because mountains are amazing places to be. But, what should you do if you happen to come across a bear? You may see a bear at a safe distance or you may come around a curve in the trail, surprise a bear and see one up close. What you do in either circumstance could save your life. For the first scenario - if you see a bear in the wild, here are some tips to follow. These tips are the same for both black bears and grizzly bears. Keep your distance. Give it lots of space so it doesn't feel threatened and can leave. Stay together and remain calm. Stay calm and keep together in a group as you will look larger. If you have children with you get them right next to your side or e...

Bird Watching Tips for Hikers * Written by:  Mark Danenhauer - who also writes a blog, Jake's Nature Blog,  http://jakesnatureblog.com , that contains nature facts about the Rocky  I love hiking. It doesn't matter where I am or who I am with as long as I am out on a trail somewhere. One of the things I enjoy about it is being out in nature and having silence or just the sounds of some birds. Yes, it seems that no matter where you are hiking you will almost always see or hear some birds. Unlike the big mammals, which are harder to see, birds are ubiquitous. Here are some simple tips to help hikers learn how to be better bird watchers and get more out of their time in nature. First of all, it is important to stay quiet and listen (unless you are in an area that is heavily used by bears). Birds are always talking and listening. This means that they can hear if there are people around, which can sometimes cause them to be quiet. To prevent t...