Smokey morning at the National Bison Range
On Saturday, we went to the National Bison Range early in the morning. The object of the quest was the bugling elk in full rut, but alas, this scene alluded us. We were able to able see plenty of the other ungulates though. Large antlered deer of both species and Pronghorn all posed nicely for the camera. The star of the show was a black bear that was sitting out in the open as bison had chased it out of the bottom of Pauline Creek.
Read MoreNational Bison Range and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge
At the end of May, Tom Forwood and I went for a little birding jaunt around the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and the National Bison Range. We encountered many species that were in a photogenic mood, and these are the results.
Read MoreBlue no longer, the Dusky Grouse
I still have to stop myself from calling them Blue Grouse. The former Blue Grouse was split some time ago into the Sooty Grouse of the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Pacific Coast, and the Dusky Grouse of the Rocky Mountains. The Dusky Grouse inhabits the dry forests and foothills, and during the spring, male Dusky Grouse can get quite territorial. This male from the National Bison Range actually tried his best to bully me around.
Read MoreFirst Gophersnake of 2012
This past Saturday the US Fish and Wildlife Service had opened the Red Sheep Mountain Road within the National Bison Range. We went with the intentions of seeing the unbelievable scenery and, of course, birds. The pleasant surprise of the road was a Gophersnake along side of the gravel road. When I was a child, about 3 months ago, we called them bull snakes, and I had a fear of them. They were aggressive and fearsome looking, now I know most of is a bluff. This particular Gophersnake went through all the motions – flattening the head, hissing loudly, vibrating the tail, and coiling...
Read MoreDay 1 of the Montana Big Loop
The first full day started with a birder’s breakfast (you know, greasy and early) at the ever popular IHOP, although I am still skeptical about the international portion of the name. Our first birding destination was the Old Sloan Bridge site near Dixon. Lewis’s Woodpecker is somewhat regular here, but for some reason last night’s luck followed us and we dipped on Lewis’s Woodpecker, but this minor disappointment was tempered by great looks at Hooded Merganser going into her cottonwood snag nest hole, Willow Flycatcher throwing his head back in song, Gray Catbird imitating all his...
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