Category Archives: Outdoors

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

Slough Creek Sonata: The Yellowstone Wolves’ Choir

Posted on January 21, 2014 by westerner54

Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, January 17, 2014 We’re standing on a ridge overlooking the valley, scoping the hillsides and hoping to see a wolf.    The day is sunny and calm, and not too cold, so we’re just pleased to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Idiot Wind

Posted on January 15, 2014 by westerner54

The wind has been howling for five straight days, which means that there’s a new soundtrack accompanying me whenever I get up the gumption to go outside: Bob Dylan’s “Idiot Wind.” It’s actually not one of my favorites, and is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Out Under the Winter Sky

Posted on January 2, 2014 by westerner54

In 1964 Judy Collins recorded Billy Edd Wheeler’s haunting song “Winter Sky”.   I probably heard it about 10 years later, but it has been the accompaniment to all of my winter ramblings for the past 40 years.   The lyric about death … Continue reading →

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

Silence and Solitude Once Again: December in Yellowstone

Posted on December 18, 2013 by westerner54

Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone National Park.  December, 2013.  Once again we’re all alone for two cold nights in Mammoth Campground.   Yellowstone in winter – especially before the Mammoth Hotel is open – can be harsh and cold, but there’s a stark beauty that’s worth a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Cabin Fever Dreaming: My Perfect Mountain Cabin

Posted on December 6, 2013 by westerner54

It’s 1000 degrees below zero. I had planned a little hike for this morning, but that ain’t gonna happen. Instead, I’ve been sipping hot chocolate and daydreaming about the perfect little cabin I want to build….someday. It turns out there … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

The Land that Speaks to My Heart

Posted on December 3, 2013 by westerner54

Do you believe that we are meant to live in certain landscapes? That some places just feel like home, even if you didn’t grow up there? I do. It’s one of the few things I really do believe. I’ve written … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Government Trail to the Big Man Pictographs: Grand Gulch, Utah

Posted on November 22, 2013 by westerner54

It’s about a 10 mile roundtrip hike across Cedar Mesa, down into Grand Gulch, and up the gulch to the spectacular Big Man Pictographs.  We’ve done it as a day trip, but it’s worth spending as much time as you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 17 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