Category Archives: Birding

A Montana Morning on the Riverbank

Posted on June 6, 2013 by westerner54

I’m sitting on the bank of the Madison River: morning sunshine warming my back, yellow warblers flitting through the willows along the shore, a lone osprey making his way up and down the river looking for breakfast in the muddy … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Lone Ranger Wannabes and Other Silly Birds

Posted on May 31, 2013 by westerner54

These dudes think they’re so clever. Like they think I won’t notice that they’ve totally ripped off their “disguise”? You know they’re up to no good – planning a heist or a bird-napping. And the hairdos that some birds come up with are … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

The Osprey has Landed

Posted on May 10, 2013 by westerner54

When I’m photographing birds, my hope is that my picture will show the true spirt of the bird I’m seeing. It’s not easy. But sometimes I feel like I’m getting close.   (I’m participating in The Prairier Birder’s “Feathers on … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

That’s My Spot!

Posted on April 26, 2013 by westerner54

Earlier this week I was checking out one of the Bald Eagle nests I’ve been watching, and I spotted these two sitting on a branch a couple of hundred feet from the nest.     At first I thought it was a Golden Eagle hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Just When You Think There’s Nothing There…

Posted on March 17, 2013 by westerner54

This young golden eagle was one of at least twenty that we watched one evening last week in what at first seemed to be an empty creek valley north of Helena. It was late afternoon, and we were driving along a gravel road … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Eagles. My Favorite Reality Show.

Posted on March 11, 2013 by westerner54

When I was a teenager in Massachusetts in the 1960s and 70s, there were no breeding pairs of bald eagles in the entire state.   I remember seeing a bald eagle on a trip west with my family, and it was a huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

A Golden Eagle Nest and Trumpeter Swans: Winter Winding Down

Posted on February 25, 2013 by westerner54

Twenty-five degrees with a steady cold wind is no one’s idea of spring, but despite this week’s wintry weather I found two welcome signs that the season is indeed getting ready to change: a pair of golden eagles building their nest and a … Continue reading →

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

If those Danged Birds would Just Stand Still….

Posted on February 7, 2013 by westerner54

I’ve been inspired by the amazing nature/photography blogs that I follow to take a stab at improving my own wildlife photography.   Not intending to become the next David Attenborough — yep, I’ve been watching Nature on PBS — but there’s certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

The Most Lovable Turkey in the World

Posted on November 21, 2012 by westerner54

I’m not a fan of poultry.   I know folks who keep chickens, and they love the little buggers.   But really, they’re not cute.  And turkeys…well turkeys definitely fall in the not cute category as well. But there was this one turkey…. … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Geese in the Eagle’s Nest

Posted on October 10, 2012 by westerner54

Last spring I hiked out to an eagle’s nest high on a cottonwood near the shore of a nearby lake.  The nest had been home to a pair of bald eagles for the past three years, but this year a pair of  Canada geese … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged | 8 Comments