Category Archives: Nature

Good Grebe!

Posted on July 23, 2014 by westerner54

I’ve been watching a pair of Red-necked Grebes on a local lake since early this spring.   They mated and built a nest in May, but the nest must have failed, because no little grebes ever showed up.  They hung … Continue reading →

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

Exploring Rainy Lake

Posted on July 17, 2014 by westerner54

We have a new toy, and I’m just loving it.  The cool thing about our new kayak is that it’s inflatable, which means we can fold it up and put in the camper.  And it’s a cinch to blow up.  Check … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

It’s Windy on Top of the World

Posted on July 11, 2014 by westerner54

It was 89 degrees and dead calm in the Skalkoho Creek valley when we left.  Now the wind is howling, and I’ve put on an extra shirt and the fleece jacket that I just threw in at the last moment, thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Hidden in Plain Sight

Posted on June 23, 2014 by westerner54

We’ve been hiking down Bear Trap Canyon for a couple of hours now, and I’m more than ready for lunch.  I stop by a big log, turn to Bill and suggest that this would be a good stopping place. “Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , | 32 Comments

Really Forest Service? You’re Locking Us IN????

Posted on June 16, 2014 by westerner54

We came through this gate on Saturday.  On Sunday it was locked.   No other way out.   Are you kidding me??? I am generally just fine with the Forest Service.  I haven’t always agreed with their decisions, but I think they do a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Spring in Glacier: Short and Sweet

Posted on June 14, 2014 by westerner54

  Mid-June is definitely not summer in Glacier National Park.   The snow is starting to recede, and the wildflowers are just starting.  Nights are cold, but the long days and lack of crowds make it a great time to visit.    Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

The Owls

Posted on June 6, 2014 by westerner54

This is the contemplative stillness that I seek when I’m meditating.  I get it sometimes for minutes at a time, but the owls…they’ve got for hours. I can walk right up to them.  They notice me.  Blink.  Blink again.  Then it’s back … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

A Tale of Two Eagle Nests

Posted on June 3, 2014 by westerner54

Back in January I wrote a post about watching the bald eagles at two different nests beginning the process of fixing up their nests for the spring.    The first couple – which I called the Hauser eagles because the nest … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

The Unbearable Cuteness of Being

Posted on May 23, 2014 by westerner54

Sure, bears can be cute.   That Yogi, he’s pretty dapper.   But bear cubs? Now that’s some unbearable cuteness.* (* thanks, Linda!) And everyone in Yellowstone thinks so, too.  A mama bear with a cub is sure to bring out the crowds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

The Wolf

Posted on May 19, 2014 by westerner54

We’re idling in a line of cars on the road to Norris Hot Springs in Yellowstone.  Five cars ahead I see a white van stopped in the middle of the road. A car is stopped in the other lane as … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 21 Comments