27. June 13

Some photos from my Flickr archive—which, as I've explained elsewhere, I stopped adding to years ago. I always say I should start posting there again, but do I? Anyway, here are a few photos from June 13s long past.

2008, St. Croix River, Minnesota
Every evening, I have to chase this rascal off
my bird feeder. Well, "have to": I do, but to no avail—
in the morning the feeder is pretty much cleaned out.
It's our little "game." Ha ha. He invariably wins. This evening
I decided to catch him in the act. The glowing red eyes
seem pretty darn appropriate.

2009, SAR training
Only about seven of us showed up, but that was enough
to rerig the litters and respool the cable. The latter
involved hauling my 4Runner around the parking lot (as a load).
Very challenging. We also talked maps and compass.
Sort of an impromptu training, because the original plan
(to rappel off the local REI) fell through at the last minute.

2009, SAR training
June 13: Training this morning. Setting up a belay
is about the only thing I do know how to do,
thanks to all the practice in the snow this winter...
but I became clearer on rigging the litter,
both at Thursday's body recovery and again
this morning. It's the old "use it or lose it" thing...

2010
Spent a little time with my Search & Rescue team
in Pine Valley this weekend, celebrating birthdays and
enjoying some hiking. I got flown in in one of our
helicopters—which is always a huge treat. That meant
the only hiking I did was uphill—on the way out—
but the wildflowers were so spectacular I hardly noticed.
And despite the fire damage from the big burns
a couple of years ago, the land is lush and full of color.
So beautiful!

2007
The bank across the river from our campsite.
Beautiful form and texture—and sound too:
the river was high and running strong.

2011
Working at my dining room table this morning,
I can look out and see my poppies and the
birds at the feeders—house finches, chickadees, and,
my favorites, oak tits, like this guy. 

A collage of my photos from June 2013