Category Archives: Outdoors

Glacier: Kintla Lake at Summer’s End

Posted on September 2, 2014 by westerner54

Summer is short at Kintla Lake; even in late August the nights are getting cold, the days are shorter, the squirrels are madly caching food for the winter, and you feel like the weather could turn at any moment.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel | 13 Comments

Moose, Mosquitoes and Bear Grass: Three Days in the Pintlers

Posted on August 3, 2014 by westerner54

“Whoa…what’s that?” Margaret stops dead, pointing into the trees.    I don’t stop in time and smack into her backpack.  I look where she’s pointing in the woods off to the right of us but don’t see anything. “What?  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

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

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