Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. In moments of unease, sometimes I pretend I’m something that I am not. Like two of my favorite things: bears and butterflies. However, oftentimes I wonder what they may concern themselves with. Perhaps, they worry about droughts, the weather, food or a loved one. How do they cope with challenges? I can easily talk to a friend or a therapist, but where do they go in times of misfortune?  

Bears hibernate for roughly seven and a half months. No food, no bathroom breaks, nothing! Zip! Nada! Only sleep. It’s difficult for me to get more than seven hours on an average night – especially, uninterrupted. How do they do it? Is it possible that they know the secrets to truly letting go? No stress. No bills to pay. No meals to gather. No kids to care for. I met a lady once that claimed she had a bear hibernating underneath her deck. I don’t know what I would have done if I were in her shoes. Maybe as long as we were both coexisting peacefully, I would have just let it be. I guess I’m a hippie that way. 

Did you know that Colorado once had grizzly bears? It was a long time ago. Today, Colorado is home to over 10,000 Black Bears. Though, keep in mind that ‘Black’ is simply the name of the species. Black Bears can be blonde, cinnamon, brown or black. Yes, they can be dangerous. Most often, through no fault of their own. So, keep your food inside, bear proof your doors and windows, and stop feeding wildlife. Just saying... I see bears quite a bit. Especially, when I don’t have my camera. It’s a bit frustrating for a photojournalist. C’est la vie!

Butterflies, on the other hand, tend to greet me with a kiss while outside gardening. I love butterfly kisses! Have you ever received one? I sure hope so. I think they’ve also been enjoying posing for my camera. I’ve had several species fluttering around the garden as of late. Admirals, Fritillaries, Duskywings, Morning Cloaks, but mostly Swallowtails have been enjoying the sweet nectar of my pansies and petunias. According to some research, there are approximately 50 species of butterflies native to Colorado. Go us! A few days ago, as I sat on my deck reading, I witnessed a parade of butterflies. One after another jumping from one flower to the next. It’s what I imagine heaven to be like.

Through my eyes, nature seems so perfect. Yet, I know better. I know how harsh it can be. As an outdoor enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of what I would describe as ‘national geographic scenes.’ Things that might change someone else’s perspective about the natural world. Still, I can’t imagine a terrible life if I were as enchanting as a bear or a butterfly. 

(Originally published in the July 16, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)