Tag Archives: Montana

The Osprey has Landed

Posted on May 10, 2013 by westerner54

When I’m photographing birds, my hope is that my picture will show the true spirt of the bird I’m seeing. It’s not easy. But sometimes I feel like I’m getting close.   (I’m participating in The Prairier Birder’s “Feathers on … Continue reading →

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

Countdown to the the Solstice

Posted on December 3, 2012 by westerner54

The dark, cold, windy days of November and December are hard to love.  I crave the light, and these days that keep getting shorter and shorter are a true test of my resolve to live in the moment.    I count … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Baby Bison: Cute Little Buckers!

Posted on May 26, 2012 by westerner54

I spent a couple of days in Yellowstone again this week, because I knew the bison were calving, and I wanted to have a chance to watch the antics of the little orange calves before the summer crowds arrive.    I hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Travel, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Indispensables

Posted on May 21, 2012 by westerner54

Those first couple of miles of the first backpack of the season are always tough, aren’t they? Hiking without a pack never prepares me for the shock of suddenly hauling all that extra weight, and my hips and shoulders are … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

“U R Brave”

Posted on May 2, 2012 by westerner54

Last year I posted on YouTube a video of some Yellowstone wolves crossing the road in front of me.   One of the first comments was just one line:  “U R brave.”    I didn’t think it was brave, but it looked … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Close to Home: the Missouri

Posted on April 9, 2012 by westerner54

Sometimes I need a reminder to stop and see the wonders of my own neighborhood, and I appreciate bloggers who — Thoreau-like — keep their focus small and remind me to do the same.  Two of my favorites are  Some Little Crum Creek and  Walks Under the Trees.  They … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Spring in Yellowstone: Critters and Empty Roads

Posted on April 2, 2012 by westerner54

A handsome black wolf stopping by to check out the campsite is a pretty auspicious start to a weekend in Yellowstone, don’t you think? We arrived at the Mammoth Campground in Yellowstone at about 6:00 on Friday evening.  We set … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Snow Geese in the Fog: Shades of White and Gray

Posted on March 26, 2012 by westerner54

Freezeout Lake, Fairfield, Montana. Seventy-thousand of them, and it looked like we’d get skunked and not see a single one.    We’d arrived later than we wanted because of the dense fog that was blanketing central Montana.  We parked at a spot on … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Into Grizzly Country: Half Moon Park in the Scapegoat Wilderness

Posted on March 21, 2012 by westerner54

I’m afraid of grizzly bears.  Especially at night.   In a tent.  In the wilderness. And, as I’ve mentioned earlier, this fear has kept me from backpacking in Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks.     It’s frustrating, though — Montana is full of gorgeous … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Crazies

Posted on February 29, 2012 by westerner54

Hiking Montana, by Bill and Russ Schneider, rates the climbs in their book on a scale that starts at Category 5 and ends with Category H.   Category 5 hills are defined as “a slight upgrade, while Category H hills are ones “that make … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments