Western Larch - Larix occidentalis, Fall in the Bitterroot Mountains

Click on the photos to "buy" online.

Exhibit Oct 1 - Nov 17, Photography through a naturalist's lens

A Montana View photography collage[/caption]Wednesday, October 3, 2012
4:30pm until 7:00pm
Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, Montana, 59801

Note: Merle is installing art the last week of September. The show actually runs Oct 1 through mid Nov. The lobby/gallery is open Tues - Fri 12:00 - 5:00 pm, Sat 12:00 - 4:00 pm. Hope to see you all there! There will be a few "special opening dates," Oct 3 and Oct 10. More info to follow.

The Montana Natural History Center is pleased to announce the Gallery Opening for “Photography through a naturalist's lens," an exhibit by Merle Ann Loman, A Montana View.

See the photos online at Merle Ann Loman, A Montana View photography at Fine Art America.

Science, documentation and art can describe photography and the study of natural history. Merle Ann Loman is passionate about them both. So “naturally,” photography is how she captures visual art, the art of the moment, and acutely records her experiences with nature.

As a naturalist photographer, she strives to create photographs that are sharply focused, detailed, simple in composition, and that instill a connection between humans and nature. Her creations record ordinary everyday subjects with a sense of artistry. Her most basic goal is to capture nature through photography without altering it, and to provide documentation that promotes the appreciation, study and understanding of natural history through all seasons and over longer / extended periods of time.

Displaying over 50 photos in various sizes, the show features three western Montana areas through seasons: 1) National Bison Range near Moise, 2) Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge near Stevensville, 3) the Bitterroot in general including the photos from the river, valley and mountains. Information sheets will accompany each collection with species, date taken, and location noted.

"Chokecherries for dinner" by amontanaview | Redbubble

"Chokecherries for dinner" by amontanaview | Redbubble:



American Robin – Turdus migratorius. Robins were feeding on our Chokecherries (Chokecherry – Prunus virginiana, in the rose family) in early September. Taken west of Victor, Montana USA. The Grosbeaks began feeding on this bush and even though the robins are a smaller bird, they took over this bush. It was fun to watch the frenzy as the hopped, flapped, chased and then gobbled the berries, large seeds and all. My first time catching a robin catching a berry.

Canon EOS 7D, 1/160s, f/4.0, ISO: 320, 500 mm, manual setting, tripod
Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM lens

The largest thrush in North America. The male has deep grayish to dark-brown upperparts with blackish head, white crescents above and below eye, rich reddish underparts with white throat streaked with black and white undertail-coverts. The bill is yellow. The female is similar but paler overall. Juveniles have a spotted breast. This species is common year-round over all of Montana.

"Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly" by amontanaview | RedBubble

"Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly" by amontanaview | RedBubble:

Photo was taken in July near Gash Creek in the Bitterroot Mountains, Montana USA.
Canon EOS 40D 1/400s, f/6.3, ISO:400

Every year I see these butterflies at this elevation on this native plant .The plant is Spreading Dogbane.

"Blooming beauty - Clivia" by amontanaview | RedBubble

"Blooming beauty - Clivia" by amontanaview | RedBubble:

Beautiful flower, taken near Victor, Montana USA.
Canon EOS 7D, 1/20s, f/7.1, ISO:400, 156 mm, manual, cropped
SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Aspherical DF Macro SLD Autofocus Lens

"Clivia" by amontanaview | RedBubble

"Clivia" by amontanaview | RedBubble:

In the Amaryllis family, native of southern Africa. Common names include Kaffir lily. It is very easy to grow. Mine flowers in late winter. When the flowers are done, beautiful red seed pods develop where the flowers were.

"Morning light and dew on the willows" by amontanaview | RedBubble

"Morning light and dew on the willows" by amontanaview | RedBubble:

This morning on our ten acres west of Victor, Montana USA. Taken near the north fork of Bear Creek in a beautiful, vibrant riparian area. The sun was coming up and streaming through the brush (leafless at this time of year) and refracting through the dew drops. Really interesting lighting.

See a few more photos from this morning at Morning light on dew in riparian woods

Canon EOS 7D, 1/400s, f5.6, ISO: 400, 275mm Manual setting
lens- Cannon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

"Montana Nature Calendar" Calendars by amontanaview | RedBubble

Visit Montana all year long with your Montana Nature Calendar "Montana Nature Calendar" Calendars by amontanaview | RedBubble:

"Swallowtail Butterfly on Syringa " by amontanaview | RedBubble

"Swallowtail Butterfly on Syringa " by amontanaview | RedBubble:

Featured photo on RedBubble 10-8-2011 The Group - Homepage Click Here

Fall colors, fall fishing and more on the Bitterroot River in Montana

Reflections of the sky and fall leaves. Photo: Merle Ann Loman

Click Fall colors, fall fishing and more on the Bitterroot River in Montana for the article on Examiner.com

Fall is a great time to fish the Bitterroot River with the pleasant daytime temperatures cooling from hot summer days of August to the pleasant 70 degree range. The nights drop to 30 or 40 degrees and bring on the gorgeous colors of fall.

Seasonal changes from summer to fall also bring explosions of mayfly hatches such as trico, blue-winged olive, fall drake, and mahogany dun as well as the October caddis.You can expect to see surface feeding fish that will test the resolve of even the most accomplished anglers.

Erosion from spring run-off, or high water events, is a process where new habitat is created or perhaps eliminated. Logs that have been eroded from the banks and deposited somewhere along the channel form the classic Bitterroot holding water. They provide the necessary cover for daily survival and the shade to stay hidden in the heat of a summer day. The Bitterroot is home to a thriving beaver population which can aid in the creation of more new log buckets for the fish. In September, the leaves are on the trees and dropping on the water providing cover but the colors are changing from green to yellows, coppers, reds, and more.

A beautiful brown trout from the Bitterroot River. Photo: Merle Ann Loman

Many tributaries of the Bitterroot River headwaters originate in wilderness areas giving the main river a supply of pristine water up until late July. The West Fork, its main tributary has a dam which releases cold, clean water during the critical times of summer and early fall. The fisheries are a beneficiary of these enhanced flows as is the rancher who can grow his hay crop. Finding a balance between the needs of a fishery and human activities has been an ongoing contentious issue as demands for these cold water releases are increasing. Fortunately, the Bitterroot River fish have an in-stream flow reservation of water. The trout have been given a little consideration.

Deer crossing the Bitterroot. Photo: Merle Ann Loman

Despite increased recreational pressure which not only includes fishing but also boating, tubing, and swimming, the Bitterroot River seems to be thriving and still produces good numbers of westslope cutthroat, some brown and rainbow trout as well as the cuttbow, a hybrid between cutthroat and rainbow trout. Catch and release sections have been a big help as is the in-stream flow reservations. The Bitterroot River in Montana is a favorite fall fishing choice for beauty and a variety of fishing.

For more info:

Wapiti Waters Fly Fishing Montana - Bitterroot webpage

Wapiti Waters Fly Fishing Montana - Seasonal hatch information

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks - Bitterroot webpage

West Fly Entomology

Related Articles:

Fall colors are coming to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana

More photos:

Merle's SmugMug photo site: Bitterroot River in the fall

As fall comes to the Bitterroot, see colors in plant and animals - Sept 2009

September 21 is the first day of fall and though this month has been warmer than usual, the nights are cooling off. As a result, Mother Nature begins to paint her fall canvas. The angle of the sun and the clouds make the light dance across the valley, often creating rainbows.

The yellows, rusts and tans are seen in the fields, grasses, cottonwoods and aspen; the green is still there in evergreen trees and foliage near streams and wetter draws; and the reds are beginning to show in the ninebark, currants, and chokecherry leaves and fruit. There is even blue in the elderberry fruit.

Color is displayed in plants and in animals as you will see in the slideshow below. See the lush green ferns that provide cover for the white-tailed deer. Later the ferns will turn a copper color and do an even better job of hiding the deer. Various dragonflies perch on golden grasses and vibrant pine trees. Deciduous trees show a variety of colors as the leaves change and fruits ripen in presentation as food for critters such as Ruffed Grouse and bear looking to fatten up for hibernation.

Exotic species – not native to Montana - contribute, too. The pheasant hen’s feathers match the color of the drying fields. A turkey hen’s throat glows as a beam of sunlight lights it up.

This is September 2009 and its own unique year and weather pattern. Visits again as more photos and descriptions throughout this Montana fall are posted.

Take a virtual walk through the Bitterroot Valley through these slideshows and watch the colors change even more in October and November.

To see all the photos in a new window click Merle's SmugMug photos - Bitterroot Fall Sept 2009

References:
Montana Field Guide by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Montana Plant Life.org

Fly Fishing the Blackfoot River in an August Rain Storm

Nick Stipich is a talented Missoula area guide and Jack loves working with him. We all had an open day so we fished the lower Blackfoot River on Friday. Fishing with guides is the best way to really know their strengths and match them up well with clients.

Our day started out nice, but we got a big rain and wind storm about noon and had some rain, wind and clouds through out the rest of the day. We caught fish on dry flies and streamers. Our faithful companions Freda and Flicka came along. We used Nick's RO Drift boat, had plenty of room and skimmed over most of the rocks.

The slideshow below shows the trip and some of the features of the lower Blackfoot. It is beautiful!

See all the photos in a new window, click on Merle's SmugMug Blackfoot River in August

Hike up Sweathouse in late July

It was a hot day. The creeks and river waterflows are diminishing. It rained heavily the day before and even though the seasonal streams are drying up, there were a few new "puddles" in some of the draws where everyone and everything took advantage of the water.

To see all the photos in a new window, click Merle's SmugMug Hike up Sweathouse in late July.

Indian Blanketflower or Firewheel

Gaillardia pulchella (Asteraceae) The common name of this annual is Indian Blanketflower, Firewheel, or Sundance. It has volunteered near a mountain road I use to access one of my hikes. As I took a short cut through a meadow/field, I saw one other site with this flower - also in full sun. It really stands out because it is the only flower on this hike that has bright orange or maroon in it.

The branching stem is hairy and upright, growing to about 1 1/2 or 2 feet tall. The 1-2 inch long leaves are alternate and mostly basal (low on the stem) with edges smooth to coarsely toothed or lobed. The pinwheel, daisy-like flower clusters are 1-2 inches in diameter and vividly colored with red, orange and yellow. The central disc florets of the flowerhead tend to be more red-violet, with the outer ray florets being yellow.

A hardy, drought tolerant annual native to the central United States, it seems to thrive in hot, dry sites. One of my sources says it is an excellent cut flower with a vase life from six to ten days. I haven't picked it because I enjoy it so much in the wild and there are only a few at this site. Maybe I will order seeds and give it a try at home.

For more photos, see my SmugMug Indian Blanketflower/Firewheel slideshow.

Is this Erigeron compactus (Fern-leaf Fleabane)?

I photographed this flower on a dry ridge south of Sweathouse Creek at mid-elevation. I haven't been able to find a good photo of Erigeron compactus (Fern-leaf Fleabane) but the description sounds like this flower. Anyone out there know?

A Few More Wildflowers in April

I saw this Yellowbell on April 8th. There are more, now, you will see them with the Shooting Stars in the photo below. To quote the Montana Plant Life.org site,

"...usually solitary, occasionally 2, and rarely 3, nodding, rather narrowly
bell-shaped, yellow, often purplish-or brownish-streaked near the base, fading
to red or purple."

The next two photos were taken on April 20.

Shooting Stars are so pretty! I found these next to a second order stream on the south side of Sweathouse Creek.

To the left is one of the most popular spring flowers, the Glacier Lily, or some people call them the Dogtooth Violet. They come into bloom in our area in April just after the Buttercups, Yellowbells, and Shooting Stars. These were in a shaded montane forest also south of Sweathouse Creek.

Spring has sprung Flowers - Pasqueflower

I have been busy editing a large amount of photos so I haven't posted recently. I am putting a Pasque Flower on for now and will come back with a slideshow soon of all the wildflowers I am seeing. They are beautiful and certainly lift one's spirits.

I see these Pasque Flowers on lower elevation shady slopes that have good drainage. Montana Plant Life.org has an interesting write-up on medicinal uses for this plant.

Click here for Montana Plant Life.org's Pasqueflower page or Yahoo search for Pasque Flower.

View Album - click here to see in a new window

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.

View Album - click here to view in new, larger window.
Choose Slideshow to view in full screen mode.

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.

Is it Winter or Spring or Inbetween?

Yesterday we hiked and it was about 48 degrees and blue sky. Today, we are in a snow storm, warm, but huge wet flakes falling down.

These photos show moss greening up on the slopes we hike. The warmer weather is releasing water from the high mountains, too. This stream bed is dry most of the year.