Category Archives: Birding

April is the Coolest Month…

Posted on April 4, 2014 by westerner54

“Spring” in Montana is a weeks long exercise in frustration. Gray skies, wind-blown dust, snow storms, driving sleet…it drives me nuts. But when I hear the snow geese honking overhead as they make their way north, or see “my” eagles … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

A Nice Batch of Eagles

Posted on March 28, 2014 by westerner54

Snow geese weren’t the only migrators at Freezout Lake last week.  We were thrilled to discover a healthy bunch of bald eagles gathered at the south end of the lake.  We counted at least fifty of them – all ages – sitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

It’s Snowing Geese!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by westerner54

The snow geese are migrating, and earlier this week they were headed right for me. I’d heard that there were 35,000 snow geese at Freezout Lake in central Montana, so one afternoon we loaded up the camper and ended up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Birding, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Time to Tidy Up: Eagles Getting Busy

Posted on January 28, 2014 by westerner54

There’s a job for every season, and the eagles know that better than anyone. They can tell that the days are getting longer (so can I!) and they are suddenly busy with some important nest renovations. I’ve checked out two … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

One Good Thing About December….

Posted on December 13, 2013 by westerner54

I seem to have more than my share of Bah Humbug genes, so December is not one of my favorite months. Really, all this dark and cold? Bah. Humbug. But I am rather fond of making lists, and the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Life, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | 16 Comments

Nature Abides

Posted on November 16, 2013 by westerner54

There’s little to love about November.     I mean really, what’s to like about dark, gray, cold days that will only get colder and darker?   And not even any snow to make things pretty to look at.  Jeez. However. Nature abides.   Like … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Wild Goose Chasing

Posted on November 8, 2013 by westerner54

The snow geese are on the move.  35,000 of them landed at Freezout Lake over the past few days, and last night I heard them calling to each other as they flew over Helena, heading southwest.   Just think:  the birds … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Fall Beauties: Sandhill Cranes

Posted on September 30, 2013 by westerner54

I’ve been a bit obsessed with Sandhill Cranes this month.  They arrive in Montana early each fall, and hang out in the wheat fields until they decide that the time has come to head south.    Watching and listening as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

These Birds Have Something to Say….

Posted on August 30, 2013 by westerner54

and they’re gonna say it, by golly.   Think birds are just sitting around, singing the occasional ditty, dreaming about the next worm?  Think again, my friend.  There’s a lot going on in those birdbrains. Take this little Eastern Kingbird family.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Eaglets Growing Up

Posted on June 26, 2013 by westerner54

I’ve been watching three eagle nests this spring, and all of them now have eaglets who are getting ready to fledge:   the first one is high in a cottonwood and not too easy to see now that the cottonwood has … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 10 Comments