Gash Creek Ski Day

Yesterday, we tried to find snow, it was limited. On a climb up a ridge, I managed to run into a moose. He had a very blond rack but I couldn't get much of a photo. As I edged closer to him, he charged me. I think I annoyed him. After that, I sheepishly retreated back down the ridge. I would rather be safe than sorry.

These two photos were taken with a Pentax Optio camera. Not the best when you want to focus in on a moose through the trees, but you get the idea of how big he is.
















In December, we had about a week of really good snow. This slideshow shows one of those days. We saw a pair of Mule deer, too.

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Horses Feeding in the Winter

On my way back from a hike today, I saw these horses. I had to chuckle at their feeding station. The owner is tired of loosing the hay to all the deer and elk that hang around here. He took deer and elk hides and placed them all around the hay cradle. I wonder if it works!

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My Goose Friend Swisher

In early May, Jack was floating the Big Hole river with clients when he noticed this lone gosling had been following his boat for miles. At the end of the day he thought of it's fate if he didn't rescue it. He scooped it up in his net and brought it home. We put it under a light until it could survive being in the coop with out it. It stayed with us in our yard until mid August. One day I came home from work and he was gone. I have to believe he flew away with other geese as he should. Maybe one day Swisher will come back to our ponds with a mate and nest.
Here is a slide show of Swisher from May through mid-August. I hope you enjoy it.

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If you click "View Album", then "Slide Show" it will show in full screen mode. If the photos don't quite focus, slow down the speed to 5 or 6 seconds per photo.

Note: I don't know if Swisher was male or female. I just found myself calling Swisher "he."

Canada Goose - Montana Field Guide

Elk in December

The photo to the left isn't just blurry, it is snowing - a lot! This was taken in December 2006. The bull is from the same herd in the slideshow below.

This year there is very little snow. The slideshow photos were taken in December 2008. The herd hangs out on the edge of private land and Forest Service land. I hike the area and see them frequently. These are winter photos. I will post some others from spring and summer in a later post.

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Other elk blogs I have done can be found on one of my other blogs. Click here and scroll down: A Blog for Wapiti Waters Fly Fishing Montana.

Ruffed Grouse nesting in May

This grouse was nesting on our property in May. We never saw the young, she hatched them and they were gone. She was a beautiful bird with amazing camouflage.

Click here for more information about the Ruffed Grouse.

Chick-a-dee-dee...and other backyard birds

Click on the name of the bird (hotlink) to go to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website "All About Birds." Their bird guides are extensive. You can even play the sounds of the birds. Very cool.

Everyone loves the Chickadee. I actually have the pleasure of living on Chickadee Lane and it is one of my favorite birds. We have many on our riparian property.

The top-left photo is a Red-breasted Nuthatch looking for some lunch.

The two lower photos are Evening Grosbeaks, sometimes called "Gros-pigs."

Click on any photo to see larger view.

Downey Woodpecker

I am trying to get better at bird photos. The little buggers just won't hold still very long. Here is one of my better attempts at Downey Woodpeckers. This one is a female, no red at the nape of the neck.

More bird photos will be posted soon.

Wildflower photos taken on hikes this summer

Here is a select group of photos taken in the Bitterroot Moutains. The slideshow is in the order taken, the first in Mar, the last in early August. What a beautiful year we had, plenty of moisture and healthy ecosystems.

See the slideshow below. To view it in full screen, click on "View Album" and choose "Slideshow."

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