Category Archives: Wildlife

Busy Days at the Heron Rookery

Posted on March 31, 2016 by westerner54

If only we would all get along as well as the birds I’ve been watching this month at the heron rookery. In early March the Canada Geese were busy checking out the various nests in the rookery, apparently staking their … Continue reading →

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

The Hungry Griz

Posted on March 13, 2016 by westerner54

Imagine you’re a big old Yellowstone grizzly bear who’s just woken after your winter sleep.  Food. You need food. Now imagine that you’re lucky enough to be wandering around the Blacktail Ponds in Yellowstone on an early spring day, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

The Owl and the Fox

Posted on January 28, 2016 by westerner54

Once upon a time, in a small woods on the edge of a big pond, there lived a wise old owl and a curious young fox.    The owl, who had lived in the woods for many years, knew that … Continue reading →

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

The Wait: Life and Death in Yellowstone

Posted on January 10, 2016 by westerner54

The coyote is waiting. The eagles are waiting.   The wolf-watchers are waiting. Even the wolves are waiting, off in the distance beyond the trees. It’s a death-watch.  We’re all watching a wounded bull elk, waiting to see what will … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Too Close

Posted on November 10, 2015 by westerner54

November’s grizzlies have one thing on  their mind: food.    They’re on a mission, and I am not interested in getting in their way. The griz we saw a couple of weeks ago was definitely on a mission.  He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Small Wonders

Posted on September 17, 2015 by westerner54

Montana is full of big wonders: the grizzlies, the elk, the moose, the huge mountains and the equally huge sky.    We visit Yellowstone and look for wolves and bears, and hope that we’ll be one of the few visitors … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Sandhill Cranes in the Smoke

Posted on August 14, 2015 by westerner54

The combination of a smoky morning and a long-distance shot gives these Sandhill Cranes the mysterious, other-worldly quality they deserve, don’t you think?

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Bigfoot in the Park and Other Wonders of Glacier

Posted on July 11, 2015 by westerner54

Yep.  Bigfoot.  Just check out the Montana Road and Recreation Atlas.  I’m not making this up.   So get out there and look for him! After Bigfoot hunting, head to the west side of the park to the Polebridge Mercantile … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Herons: the Zen and the Not-So-Zen

Posted on June 26, 2015 by westerner54

Herons have always seemed particularly Buddha-like to me, despite their distinctly non-chubby physiques.  They stand in a meditative trance, perfectly able to stay that way for as long as they want.    When they’re fishing they’re masters of patience, ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Campsite Visitors

Posted on June 9, 2015 by westerner54

Early morning, Many Glacier Campground, June 6, 2015 Something is crashing through the willows at the edge of our campsite.  I put down my coffee and stand to see what is making such a racket.  I see three shapes through … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments