Continue reading »]]> Spent yesterday afternoon at Lee Metcalf NWR, and as always it was a spectacular time to be there. I was able to spot the female Greater Scaup again, and again without an image. Along the Kenai trail, Northern Shrike and American Tree Sparrow were among the visitors from the north. The surprise of the day was a group of common raccoons that near foraging amongst the frozen and cattails of Pond 6. A pair of Hooded Merganser males were in full display (the warm weather must have trick into thinking it was spring). They were only missing a lady for all their efforts. Hundreds of Canada Geese flew overhead and they descended onto the ice as most seems to miss the open water.

Honker landing procedure engaged	Flock in synchronized landing
Northern Shrike perched and watching	Hunter calls it a day
Somber mood	Golden skies over the Bitterroot Mountains
Artsy way of looking at Lee Metcalf	Common Raccoon

eBird Checklist

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Golden light over the Bitterroots

Today, I read in an otherwise mundane news article that an old acquaintance of mine was killed in an avalanche near Cooke City. I have read many articles like this, but most of the time the names are not familiar, and I end up reading the news with very little care. The horrific details are all too soon forgotten. However, this time the name was one that I knew, and the piece took on some deeper meaning. We were not close friends, rather we were work colleagues that hung out a bit after work on occasion. Upon reading the article and seeing his name, I began to think about the fortunate fact that I am still here among the living. How amazing is it that I am able to experience the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley or hear the faint ship notes from a pair of American Tree Sparrows. There is so much to experience, and there is so much work that needs done. I am not talking about tasks at the old 9 to 5, but real work. The work that everyone needs to do within themselves, and the good deeds that we must engage in for the benefit of others.

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefitting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.
- H.H. Dalai Lama

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Shimi Dawa chilling out

One of things that I am valuing the most is the ability to visit the Garden of a 1000 Buddhas more often, and yesterday we had the opportunity to swing on our way to Plains. As always we stopped by the Sangha house and the resident cat, Shimi Dawa. Her name is Tibetan for Moon Cat, and that moniker fits her. Shimi has a an amazing presence, and she knows that she owns the place. Well, in a way she does own the place as she was a resident long before the Garden was even started.

The central statue at the Garden is of Yum Chenmo (Prajnaparamita) is the representation of the Mother of all the Buddhas. The golden-skinned Yum Chenmo embodies the Supreme Wisdom of the Emptiness-Teaching. Usually we walked one or more circumambulations of the statue along the outside of the wall that represents the wheel of dharma. The 8 interior walls represent the spokes of the wheel of dharma, also known as the Eight-fold Path. The practice of adhering to the Eight-fold Path leds to the cassation of suffering and realization of the awakening. The eight elements of the Path are;

1. Right view
2. Right intention
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

Mother of all the Buddhas in fanastic light	Mother of all the Buddhas gazing down
Stupa on the northeast side of Yum Chenmo	Snow Lions at the base of Yum Chenmo's throne

Face of Buddha

As we leave the Garden, we pass by a statue of one of the primordial Buddhas, just a final reminder of the simplicity of dharma practice.

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Mammoth Hot Springs at Dawn

With each longer night, the elk bugle a bit more intensely and the frost clings a tad harder to the withering blades of grass. Time to pack up the camera gear and head down to Yellowstone National Park for a little session.

The weather is great, but the wildlife tended to not cooperate. So, what is a boy to do? The answer is concentrate on the spectacular scenery. We visited Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley, and Boiling River. It was a great day.

Roaring Mountain vents its frustrations	Bison letting off some steam
Dawn bursting through the trees and steam	Brilliant Skies over Yellowstone
Rising above Norris Geyser Basin	Norris Geyser Basin HDR
Ancient Vents of Steam	Norris Geyser Basin HDR
Old Bull on the Yellowstone	Last dust of summer

Continue reading »]]> Coming back from Big Sky on Sunday afternoon, I came across a small bachelor herd of Bighorn Sheep rams. Within the herd, there were two full-curl rams, one of which was very cooperative. It was a really treat to take image after image of this ram as he pawed through the snow to eat grasses that have long since given up most of their nutritional value, which is close of cardboard. Ultimate survivors are these creatures. When the deer and elk have traveled to lower elevations, the bighorns are pawing through the snow.

Continue reading »]]> We took off for Glacier National Park, and we drove the back roads and had a quick and productive stop at Freezout Lake.

After Freezout, we headed towards Browning and Glacier, when we encountered a really good thunderstorm.

We stayed the night at the St. Mary Campground; however, we had to wait for the weather to break before we set up the tent for the evening. No better time for a drink.

Continue reading »]]> July 4th, Independence Day – so what better time to wade chest deep in the middle of a bunch of grebes? There were plenty of Western and Eared Grebes swimming around – definitely a great experience.

On the way back to Bozeman, I decided to drive up to Fairy Lake and do a little off-trail exploring. The results were a soul fulfilling time in an alpine meadow with spectacular views of the Bridger Range.

Continue reading »]]> 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 WilderTrack.

Our route took us first to Itch-Kep-Pe Park near Columbus and Barb Jaquith’s house in Red Lodge. The park produced White-breasted Nuthatches and a multitude of songsters. The sunrise was spectacular and Barb’s house kick ass as usual. At Red Lodege, there was lots of interesting variations of plumage coloration among the Red Crossbills. There was also a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird and several Cassin’s Finches among the Pine Siskins.

Leaving Red Lodge, we headed for Bear Canyon. When we arrived the morning was cool and ground was actually damp. Immediately, the Rock Wrens and Dusky Flycatchers were singing. We found many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers as the Sagebrush Lizards scurried in the undergrowth. White-throated Swifts were very active and vocal. Say’s Phoebes were in abundance as well. Besides the birds, we had several great butterflies; Acmon Blue, Melissa Blue, Sagebrush Checkerspot, Nevada Skipper and Juniper Hairstreak.

Leaving the canyon, we headed towards Gyp Spring for Mountain Plovers (hopefully). As we drove to the spring, we turned up Loggerhead Shrikes and Sprague’s Pipit. Arriving at the spot, we started scanning the short vegetation for the plovers, and there it was, a lone Mountain Plover followed by woo-hoos and high fives. After this we decided, to keep driving until we were south of the border – the Wyoming border that is. We had no maps or experience in this area, but we managed to come out at Cowley, Wyoming. We headed back into Montana and stop at the traditional Blue Grosbeak spot, and we could not find any grosbeaks. We did, however, turn up a Northern Mockingbird (my second state record). I managed a few documentation images. From here we headed back to Bozeman.

Full trip report at WilderTrack.

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Singing Veery

In the afternoon, I decided to go for a hike along the new Drinking Horse Mountain Trail, which is a great route for birding and doing a little flower photography. I was treated to great views of Green-tailed Towhees, Rock Wrens, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Continue reading »]]> After 3 days and nights  of solid work, I went for a little hike up to Kirk Hill for a little birding, photography, and relaxation. I took the unofficial “very” long loop that goes through several old cuts. The typical birds were singing and calling, and there were a plethora of Sara Orangetips flitting about as well. The hike was about 4 miles total and climbed about 100 feet, so it was a decedent workout also. This time of year the wildflowers are starting to really show off which made for some macro photography opportunities.

Continue reading »]]> This evening, June returned from its temporary winter vacation. I went cruising around the backroads south of Bozeman, and had some good opportunities to photograph some rather common species that I normally overlook. I was using the truck as a mobile blind, and I have to say that it is amazing how well simply rolling up with the engine off works.

Continue reading »]]> 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 the air and sound of falling snow made for a memorable morning. Not many birds, save for a few American Robins, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Continue reading »]]> 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 unfortunately don’t have pics of it, yet (it still there as of noon today). I also managed a Townsend’s Warbler at the Kirk Hill area.

May 20th

May 21st (My birthday)

May 22nd

May 23rd

May 24th

May 25th

Continue reading »]]> This Sunday was the first really hot day of the year. I went up to the Mount Ellis area, and I was graced with wildflowers and sparrows.

Later on in the day, Non-birding Vida and i went up to the Hyalite area. There is still a considerable amount of snow up there, so no hiking to the waterfalls (maybe in a week or so). Along Hyalite Creek, there were many Milbert’s Tortioseshells and Hoary Commas.

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Woke up this morning and headed with Sam to Cottonwood Reservoir for little birding and photography. The morning started off chilly with hoar frost clinging to every dry grass stalk left over from last summer. It was a day of many firsts of the year, including Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Marbled Godwit, Willet, and many others.

Full trip report at WilderTrack

This video is my first attempt at video using the Nikon D90, please let me know what you think of it.

Continue reading »]]> Today was the day to finally take the new D90 out for its maiden shooting session. The weather and light was not the greatest, to say the least. But I did manage to get the best shots of a Common Tern that I’ve ever managed. As these images show, I have already fallen in love with the Nikon D90. There will be a review forthcoming soon of the Nikon D90.

Continue reading »]]> What a Day! Sam Koenen and I went for a loop drive from Bozeman to Blacks Ford and then on to Three Forks along the Madison River. The sheer number of Red-breasted Mergansers was staggering, ~42 at Blacks Ford alone. We sighted our FOY Long-billed Curlew and a Loggerhead Shrike at the Greycliff Fishing Access. We next visited the Madison Buffalo Jump State Park where we heard a Sage Thrasher among the multitude of Western Meadowlarks. The Three Forks ponds held a pair of Ruddy Ducks, more Red-breasted Mergansers, and the most cooperative Common Loon. A pair of FOY Osprey were on the nesting platform near the ponds. In a non-bird related note, Sam spied a pair of Western Painted Turtles at the Three Forks State Park along with a White-tailed Jackrabbit at the Cobblestone Fishing Access. We both had 6 FOYs although different constituents on those lists.

Full WilderTrack Trip Report (maps and images) at WilderTrack

Continue reading »]]> 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 was very unexpected to have a frog this early…a nice pleasant surprise. I decided to walk down the trail to the East Gallatin Recreation Area, and I happened upon a deceased Meadow Vole…a bio-geek’s dream. Of course, I had to pick it up and take a documentation pic with the cell phone (camera battery was dead…bummer).

Later in the day, Non-birding Vida (NBV) and I went down to the Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison River for a little relaxation and vino. A Canyon Wren was singing high up on the rocks and Red-breasted Mergansers (a single male and his two “bitches” – NBVspeak).

Sunday

The morning started at the Cherry River Fishing Access where a male Northern Harrier was doing a remarkable display flight that consisted of acrobatic roll and twists. As he was flying by, a Wilson’s Snipe was winnowing overhead, a welcome sound indeed. Three Ring-necked Ducks were swimming in the pond with a multitude of American Coots carrying-on with their squeaks and chases with the participants running atop the glassy surface. An American White Pelican glided overhead briefly as the Sandhill Cranes trumpeted in the open fields. The Killdeer numbers are definitely picking as well.

At the East Gallatin Rec. Area, the spring’s first Tree Swallows were calling and feeding over the cottonwood forest. Richardson’s Ground Squirrels were all over the place.

What a great weekend!