Category Archives: Outdoors

Beware the Pesky Glochids and Other Tips from the Desert Southwest

Posted on March 9, 2015 by westerner54

Cacti have spines.  I know that.   I mean, it’s really pretty obvious. What I didn’t know until too late is that some cacti have really tiny spines: so tiny that you don’t notice them.  It would have helped to know … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Sun, Sky and Snow: A Winter Day in Yellowstone

Posted on January 31, 2015 by westerner54

Breaking trail on a perfect winter day in Yellowstone.   See you in the Spring, Yellowstone!

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

The Eyes Have It

Posted on January 9, 2015 by westerner54

We all know that you’re not supposed to make eye contact with wild animals.    Or even with the neighborhood dogs.  Or cats. Which must be why it is so disconcerting when a wild critter makes eye contact with us. … Continue reading →

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

Solstice Wolves

Posted on December 20, 2014 by westerner54

I’m standing on a hilltop in Yellowstone on a cold and bright December morning.    The snow beneath me is covered with hundreds of wolf tracks.    They must have been through here early this morning – the tracks are clearly fresh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Rocky Mountain Wildlife 2014: from Weird to Wonderful

Posted on December 11, 2014 by westerner54

Let’s start with the weird. A baby Great Horned Owl should be cute, right?  But this guy…just plain scary. Owls are often walking the line between cute and horrifying.  Not sure which side these two fall on:   Muskrats could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Hiking, Humor, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

May Creek Cabin

Posted on December 8, 2014 by westerner54

December 3, 2014.  Around 1:30 in the afternoon, about 24 degrees.    We’re at the May Creek trailhead near Wisdom, Montana, ready to head out to the May Creek Forest Service Cabin that we’ve rented for a two-night stay. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 32 Comments

Full Moon at Sunrise Over the Rocky Mountain Front

Posted on November 9, 2014 by westerner54

7:00 a.m., November 6, 2014.  Freezout Lake, Montana     

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | 4 Comments

Another Secret Ruin

Posted on November 6, 2014 by westerner54

It doesn’t get much better than spending days wandering the canyons and gulches of Cedar Mesa, looking for rock art and ruins.    Sometimes you know exactly what you’re looking for, since many folks have been there before, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Outdoors, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Sometimes They Sneak Up on You…

Posted on October 5, 2014 by westerner54

It’s cold at 9,500 feet on a late September morning in the Gravelly Mountains – I’m glad for my down coat and warm coffee.    We’re sitting on a little ridge overlooking the pond we camped near last night, waiting … Continue reading →

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

Yellowstone Skies

Posted on September 22, 2014 by westerner54

The changing season brings out the best in Yellowstone.    The critters tend toward the frantic: the bull elk are madly trying to keep their harems in line, chasing after each other during the day and bugling all night long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Yellowstone | 15 Comments