Feathered Visitors

Spring is nesting time for many of us including this Red-breasted Nuthatch that is creating a home in a river birch on our property. I thought the sound I was hearing was a woodpecker. No, it was this nuthatch making a nest hole.


It is time to raise a few more laying hens. I just bought some chicks. Laying hens are only productive for a few years, but because I let mine free range during the day, I also loose some to predators. The most prevalent here is the Northern Goshawk. The Goshawk in this photo is in the Aspen grove next to my chicken coop/run. He is waiting for dinner.




One last note: This morning we woke up to snow again. Here is the view out the bedroom window. It was so beautiful I had to take a picture! But, I hope warmer weather comes soon.

Montana in March - Slideshow

Here is a group of cow elk. I zoomed in on this group, the whole herd counted about 50 head. They are losing their winter coats so they look a bit scruffy. See more photos in the slideshow below.

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Seattle Area in March 2009

We were in the Seattle area this weekend. Of course I couldn't help but take outdoor photos. See the slideshow below.

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Winter Finch (Red Crossbill) and a Moose, again

These photos were taken on our property west of Victor, Montana. Life is good when you are surrounded by nature.

To the left is a winter finch called a Red Crossbill. It is nice to see little color.

Below is a female moose. She is standing behind my chicken coop. I had seen her tracks, but not her. Today she decided to come out and show herself.

A Town History Fair, Montana in the Eyes of Our Youth

Thursday, March 5th, I was invited to a "Town History Fair" at Two Creeks School in Victor, Montana. I only had a half-hour to see all the boards at the fair and there was a great turnout of parents and friends making crowds at each board. I wish I could have taken photos of them all, but in the slideshow below you will see a few of the boards. These kids worked REALLY hard! More importantly, they had fun learning.

Each child picked a town, maybe they were born there, maybe visited it, maybe had family in the town. For the town, they researched, wrote a large paper, and made a reader board. Each child I photographed, except one, provided an oral presentation as well. I could tell they were very familiar with their subject - even had personalities pegged for some of the key residents. I was quite impressed with their knowledge and delivery. They found a connection and conveyed it to me in a personal and interesting manner. The child that didn't give an oral presentation was a first year student at the age of 5! Camas is her name and her project about Victor was fantastic. See the photos below.

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If you want to download any photos, view the album, right click the photo and choose "Save Picture As." Then save to your computer in the location of your choice. To see in full screen mode, View Album and choose "Slideshow."

A Fort for Learning Just About Everything - Come and see it March 5, 2009

Another update at Two Creeks School. Thursday, March 5, from 5:00 - 6:00 is their Town History Fair. If you aren't busy, come check it out. The students will be showing off their cabin, but also each one has done a report with visual display on the history of a town in Montana. Ruby Sage did Bozeman, Levi Sage did Hamilton...their poster boards are really colorful and cool. Every kid picked a different town. It will be very interesting. Come by if you can.


Two Creeks School located at the Sweet Sage Guest House
838 Sweathouse Creek Rd
Victor, MT 59875
(406) 642-6400
Get directionsMore information »




To get to the trailhead and ridges of my hike up the Sweathouse drainage, I drive by the Two Creeks Community School. It is attended by my friends Levi and Ruby Sage. During the last week or so they have been busy as beavers creating a "log" fort.



Yesterday the roof fell in.



Last night, Levi and his step-dad, Bill LaCroix, braced the walls.



Today I am told there is a new rule; only two kids on top at a time.



See -- they are learning about structural integrity, consequences for instability and structural overload, and hopefully teamwork.










I can hardly imagine what else they will learn in this process! Maybe Levi will write me a paper.


February 20: This last photo is an update sent to me by Ruby and Levi's Mom, Amy Sage. She said the roof has been reinforced. You see all of the kids in the school in this photo taken by their teacher. They are great kids, smart kids, and are learning amazing things. How lucky they are to have this school in this environment in this beautiful state of Montana.

Anna LaCroix, our Bright Light

Anna is what we call a "Bright Light." She takes after her sister, Ruby, and brother, Levi! There is one difference, though. Anna was born deaf and has gone through two surgeries for cochlear implants. She is now learning to "hear" amoung so many other things.

See a blog about Anna titled Hearing is Believing at at Wapiti Waters Blogspot.

Here are a few photos of Anna in a slideshow.

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Buttercups, an early sign of spring

Today's hike was inbetween rain showers. We didn't see any game, but did see new life "springing" up. Buttercups are one of the firsts signs of spring!
The palmated leaves to the right of the yellow flowers are lupine.




On the way home, we passed Amy Sage, Bill LaCroix and their daughter, Anna. They were out for an afternoon bike ride. Anna is one of my favorite photo subjects. I am sure you can see why.