Big Creek Montana - 05-06-10

Strange stuff going on with this blog site. For some reason the latest post doesn't show up just the title and you have to click on "read more". Have no idea why this is maybe it's a format change. I dunno.

Koty and I took a wander over to Big Creek in the West Kootenai on the west side of Lake Koocanusa. Big Creek drains into the Koocanusa from the Purcells.

 

Lake Koocanusa 05-06-10

The area is a known hang out for grizzlies and black bears. We didn't see any bear signs let alone bears.

The creek was running pretty good the following are three shots that may give you an idea of what it was looking like.

 

Big Creek 05-06-10

 
Big Creek 05-06-10

 

Big Creek 05-06-10

The main thing that distinguishes the west side forest from the east side is the presence of cedars. I find cedars to be extremely elegant trees and delight in the fact that I have three at my ranch.


Cedar Frond by Kinsey Barnard

I also found this boulder with cedar needles lying on it that I thought was a work of art. I don't think a landscape designer could do better.


Forest Decoration by Kinsey Barnard

As always, Koty had a great time. I spent much of my time trying to drag him away form digging for squirrels. Siberians are diggers by nature and when they find something to dig for their determination is without equal.

 

Koty with Head in a Hole

This last shot is of Big Creek in slow motion. I always like these shots. I think it gives one a different perception.

 

Big Creek 05-06-10

So there you have it. The creeks, they are a rising.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography 
^
^

Pinkham Creek - Montana

In the Kootenai National Forest there are many creeks. I try to photograph as many as I can for each has it's own distinct beauty. Pinkham Creek is a local favorite for camping and fishing but at this time of year it is still deserted. As you can see there is some snow sticking around.

Pinkham Creek-Montana

Koty, my Siberian Husky nearly gave me a heat attack on this junket. Koty is always on a 16 foot retractable leash attached to me by a belt. If he weren't on a leash he'd be in the next county before I could call his name. Such is the nature of huskies. Click here to see photos of "The Beast".

Anyway, whilst I was studying the scene below Koty went over the bank to get a drink in the creek. I didn't think anything of it until I looked down. Without my realizing, he had leaped off what turned out to be a nearly six foot ledge and there was no way he wanted to try and jump back up. I took a nasty spill over Easter and sprained my ankle quite badly so there was no way I wanted to jump down. I was barely gimping around as it was. A momentary bit of a panic ensued.

Thanks be to the gods I had recently bought him a harness to use instead of a collar. After much cajoling I was able to get him to take a leap at the ledge where he got a tiny grip on the lip of the ledge and I was able to haul him up by the harness. That wasn't easy either, he weighs in at 65 pounds. This kind of excitement I can do without! :)

Pinkham Creek-Montana

As always I was looking for some special images that would portray the true beauty of the creek. I think I, as well as most people, are drawn to the effects of water flowing in slow motion.

What I like, in particular, about this image is the clarity above the fall showing the rocks under the water. Of course, everyone knows I am a bit daft but I could get lost in this photo for quite  time. Really, it's amazing that I'm not lost most of the time! Hmm, perhaps I am and don't know it!

The above photo is kind of a still life in motion. Of course that is a contradiction in terms but I think if you study on it you'll see what I mean.

Another point I would like to make is that I am frequently hearing people moaning about cloudy and/or rainy days keeping them from making good pictures. I say poppycock. Cloudy, rainy weather is awesome for getting deep and saturated color. Put on your raincoat and boots and get out there! It was showering the whole time on this shoot.

Be sure to check out The Liberated Photographer


©Kinsey Barnard Photography


 

Water Filters & Dollar Woes

October 06, 2009

All was quiet this morning. No bears about. The temp was about 34 degrees but there is frost on the roof and the meadow.

Gold was up this morning over $20 on news that China, Russia and France are planning on replacing the dollar for their oil trading. Gold is at it’s all time historic high. Demise of the Dollar As I sit here on my mountain I seriously wonder what our fate, as a country, is to be. The government is clearly out of control. I fear America as I have known it is slowly slipping away.

When I was in high school I had a history teacher, Nathan Weston Blanchard III, he was kind of a kooky old fellow but quite wise I always thought. He said that all empires eventually fall and that America would be no different. I never forgot his words and now it seems it is all coming true.

Went below and checked water filter. As I had hoped it has stopped leaking on it’s own. Only leaked about a quarter of a cup before stopping. That’s a relief.

Water Filter Replaced

Spent most of the morning editing and cataloging.

After lunch Koty and I took a walk around our sanctuary. I am very sad as it looks to me as though the entire forest is dying. Even the aspen, cottonwood and birch look sick. Their fall foliage is drab and unappealing. There is something very strange going on in the woods. I know all about the spruce beetles, the fir beetles and the root rot but somehow I feel there is more to it although I have no idea what.

Creek


©Kinsey Barnard

AUTUMN CREEK - BRIDAL VEIL

We are still struggling with the heat down here in Tucson. So, we turn again to past visions of beauty for our solace. How precious is water?

This photo was taken last fall in the Columbia Gorge in Oregon.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

PS: Christmas is coming so here is a gift idea under $20. Choose five note cards and tie them with a little satin ribbon. Your gift will be unique and personal.

Trip to Southwestern Montana July 2007

Hi My name is Lakota Sunrise. Koty Bear to my friends.

I am a Siberian Husky.

The last week of July my mom and I made a safari down to the Dillon area. Mom wanted to check out the ghost towns and whatever else we could find. We visited the ghost towns of Brannack, Nevada City & Virginia City. The coolest thing was they let me in everywhere. If you are a dog Montana is the place to be. I kid you not. I never got stuck in the car once.

But, of course, my favorite was the time on the trail. We spent a couple of days hiking in the Beaverhead National Forest. Naturally, our progress was constantly interrupted by my mom wanting to photograph this or that.

We took this great scenic drive through Beaverhead and stopped at this place called Crystal Park. Naturally, mom had gone off with out her maps and stuff so we just pulled in thinking it was maybe a nice park to take a hike. Well, we get started on the trail and start seeing these big holes. They looked like somebody had bombed holes in the place. It looked like a digging dogs (that would be me) idea of heaven. We came across a couple of ladies digging in a hole. Mom stopped and asked what they were doing. It turned out the Crystal in Crystal Park really meant what it said people were digging like respectable huskies looking for crystals!

We didn't get very much in the way of wildlife on this trip. Did get a beaver at Clark Canyon Reservoir and a Yellow Head Blackbird. But, got completely skunked at Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

That's pretty much it for this trip.

Lakota Sunrise passed away in February 2013. Molly Montana is now looking after me so I have turned this blog over to her good keeping

©Kinsey Barnard