Aug
10
2010
This past Saturday, Vida and I decided to hike up to the tippy-top of Mount Blackmore (10,154 feet ASL), the highest peak in the Hyalite group of Peaks in the Gallatin Range. The best way to describe this hike is an ass-buster. It gains over 3500 feet at a steady always up slope in about …
Jul
19
2010
Yesterday, Somewhat Birding Vida and I went for an 11-mile hike up to the Squaw Divide, which divides (duh) the Squaw Creek (or Storm Castle as the new name) drainage from the Hyalite Basin. This is a hike that I’ve wanted to take for quite awhile. Many times I have stared at the route and …
Jun
29
2009
I went for a hike up to Lava Lake and extended it to a trudge up to Tabletop Mountain. The hike itself was great if not tiring. Not much in the way of birds, but a few butterflies. A lot of water is flowing in Cascade Creek. I found a couple of Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels …
Jun
18
2009
This evening I went for a quick jaunt up Leverich Canyon. Both Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes were singing along with McGillivray’s Warblers and Dark-eyed Juncos. I managed to run into both Hairy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers in the Douglas-fir forest above the old mine. The first orchids of the year were seen – Fairy-slippers as …
Jun
15
2009
Every year (well almost), Sam Koenen and I make a trip to the Pryor Mountains and specifically Bear Canyon for bird species that cannot be found elsewhere in the state or are very difficult to find. These include Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Canyon Wren, Blue Grosbeak, and rarities such as Black-throated Gray Warbler. Full trip report at …
Jun
14
2009
Singing Veery This morning, I went for a walk along the Sourdough Trail where I was treated to the usual cast of characters. I manage to get a few decent shots and a nice video of a singing Veery, though. In the afternoon, I decided to go for a hike along the new Drinking …
Jun
13
2009
On Saturday, Vida and I had a great hike up to Pioneer Falls in the Spanish Peaks area. the hike goes along the beautiful Spanish Creek and culminates at the top of Pioneer Falls, a gorgeous ~50 foot waterfall followed by an extended cascade. Olivia had more than fun kicking it along the trail (I …
Jun
07
2009
In Montana, we learn that June doesn’t necessarily mean summer. Today, there was several inches of fresh snow in the Hyalites, so I naturally decided to grab Olivia and go for an early morning hike to Arch Falls. The gray skies and heavy, wet snow didn’t make for many photo opportunities, but the stillness of …
May
26
2009
I’ve been largely absent from posting for awhile as I have been having a great life and along with it, too much fun. I’ve shot a lot of frames and seen a few good birds. The highlight of the past few days is definitely the Rose-breasted Grosbeak along the Sourdough (just south of Bozeman). I …
Apr
12
2009
This post covers both Saturday and Sunday of an incredible weekend Saturday This morning I started the day at the Cherry River Fishing Access with several Cinnamon Teals and a Great Yellowlegs. The surprise was a Columbia Spotted Frog engaged in amplexus with an otherwise dead partner. Seems like froggy love knows no bounds. It …
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