BUTTER BLUES

Yesterday Kinsey went to a late breakfast with a pal. Ever so rudely, she left me at home in the house. I, naturally, got bored and roamed around looking for some mischief to do. My favorite mischief is finding things to eat. I am very good at finding things to eat and very clever at reaching it.

When Kinsey got home it was time for my lunch. Our routine is; Kinsey gets the food, I snap to attention plopping my butt on the floor. Kinsey puts the food down and I wait for permission to eat. Well, I not only didn't plop my fanny down I showed no interest in my food whatsoever. This was the first time in my life such a thing happened. Kinsey was very worried but couldn't think of a thing it could be. She watched me like a hawk the rest of the day.

I knew exactly what the problem was but I sure as heck wasn't telling.You see she had left the butter dish with a brand new quarter on it on the counter just within my reach. I was able to lap it off without disturbing the dish. I quite happily gobbled the whole thing down. It was enough for even me to lose my appetite.

Too much butter!

This morning Kinsey was making her mock Ouevos Rancheros and went for the butter dish. It wasn't in the cupboard where it normally is. She saw it on the counter, empty. She immediately had an ah ha moment. And, I'm in the dog house.

Ouevos Rancheros

I'm just fine today but gads Kinsey needs to keep that stuff out of my reach. As good as it was it nearly made me want to puke!

Ciao for now!
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

Not a lot goin' on. Puppy's bored.

There hasn't been much going on around here. Mostly lugging firewood and shoveling snow. Of, course I just supervise. Kinsey seems to be doing a fine job.

We do walk in the woods every day and play catch with the Frisbee. I'm getting really good catching that thing. I can catch it on the fly over my shoulder, running away from it. Kinsey says I'm going to wreck myself I jump so high and contort myself in such unnatural ways.

I can play catch forever. I do get tired and thirsty sometimes. There's no water around the house that's not frozen so every once in awhile I run down to the pond and get a drink. The water is always running there.

©Kinsey Barnard

GET A DOG, YOU'LL LIVE LONGER

Kinsey subscribes to this health letter written by Dr. Marco Micozzi. She thinks he has some valuable ideas about health that are not mainstream. Today she got the below message about the health effects of owning a dog. Wowzer, I knew I was important but I may be more important than I thought. Kinsey and I have an awful lot of fun and she seems very happy most all the time. I think it must be me!

Micozzi doesn't mention it but I'll bet all that adrenaline I get pulsing through Kinsey's veins when I defy her is good too! Keeps her on the ball!

Read Micozzi's message below:

"The American Heart Association (AHA) just reported that dog owners appear to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. But remember, scientists want to know how this works. Not just that it does work.

Why do dog owners reap such terrific health benefits?

Well, the answer may have to do with how dogs evolved. Dogs have some relatively unique characteristics that helped them become "man's best friend."

As members of the Canis familiaris species, they descended directly from wolves (Canis lupus). And wolves are unique because they are social carnivores at the top of the food chain.

Typically, animals who occupy the top of the food chain--like bears or big cats--are solitary hunters. It takes a lot of territory to provide enough food to support such large animals.

But wolves are different.

They live and hunt in packs. And that kind of cooperative effort makes them closer to humans than any other large, "top-of-the food-chain" animal. And it may help explain why early humans began living and hunting with semi-domesticated wolves. Eventually, some of these wolves evolved into domesticated dogs.

This "familiar" relationship with Canis familiaris--first forged thousands of years ago--continues to this day. Russian research shows that among all animals, only dogs will follow a human's gaze. Or follow where a human is pointing.

Plus, those who work in natural medicine have known of the health benefits of owning dogs for a long time. We even included a chapter on "Animal-Assisted Therapy" in my 2005 textbook on complementary/alternative therapies for cardiovascular disease with Drs. Bill Frishman and Mike Weintraub at New York Medical College.

And as I said earlier, the AHA just issued a report that discovered dog owners appear to benefit from a reduced risk of heart disease.

Of course, you may assume this happens because dog owners go for long walks with their dogs.

Indeed, as I told you yesterday, even short, 15-minute walks after dinner lowers your risk of developing diabetes. But very few people meet their exercising goals. So, it is good health advice to get a dog--for the exercise benefits alone.

But there is more to it than that.

According to the AHA, dog ownership has many psychological and sociological benefits. Just the presence of a dog in your home appears to help lower stress and reduce your heart rate.

Several other studies show that dogs decrease the body's reaction to stress. Dog owners appear have lower heart rates, lower blood pressure, and fewer adrenalin-like hormones. Dog owners also have modestly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Earlier studies even showed that having a dog increases survival rates in those who actually suffer heart attacks.

In one controlled clinical study, 50 stockbrokers began taking medication to control their high blood pressure. Half of them also adopted a dog. Six months later, the dog owners were markedly calmer under stressful situations.

But stockbrokers and other big city dwellers beware. The researchers found a big difference between dog owners who walked their own dogs versus those who paid others to walk them.

Is it really just the exercise?

The CDC says that pet owners are just as likely to be overweight as people without pets.

No matter what, there are always good reasons to have a dog.

As Webb Pierce sang, "I'm walking the dog, and I'm never blue; I'm walking the dog, I ain't thinkin' bout you."

©Marco Micozzi, MD

WOW! WE HAD A TON OF SNOW TODAY

We really had a bunch of snow today probably the most since I've lived here. Kinsey says it is winter's swan song. I don't know that she knows what's she's talking about but I do know she's hoping it's true.

Yesterday, I got to ride in the pickup for the first time. I like this a lot better than the Expedition where I have to get in a crate. In the pickup I get to sit up front and look out the windshield. Now that's my idea of stylin'!

Cute me chomping on my soup bone as the snow falls.

Some blacktail deer resting in the snow. I wanted to go see 'em but Kinsey wouldn't let me. :(

Me in the ranch truck. Uh, Kinsey forgot tell me to look at the birdie!

SAW THE TOBACCO RIVER FOR THE FIRST TIME

I got to see the Tobacco River for the first time today. It was pretty cool! I'm still a little leery of water though. Kinsey had a trouble keeping me on the trail because there was so much to smell off the trail. I got myself all full of tiny burrs. I was very patient about letting Kinsey pull them out of my nice long hair but it really wasn't any fun. Maybe I'll listen to her next time when she tells me to stay on the trail. Then again maybe not. :)

Before we went to the river we went to the dump. Where we live there is no garbage collection. We have to haul the debris to the dump ourselves. I got stuck in the back of the truck with the garbage. At first I was insulted to be keeping comapny with the junk. Then I realized it was only temporary. So, that was OK.

Wonder what neat thing we will do tomorrow.

©Kinsey Barnard

Looking out at the Tobacco River

Riding with the garbage

HERDING DEER

Yesterday I saw the most fascinating thing. Mollie and I were out walking in the afternoon. We came upon a dozen deer standing in the trees. Mollie took off like a rocket. She is unbelievably quick. I realized she was headed for the deer. As I watched Molly raced among the deer. The deer just stood there watching her. I panicked. I called to her and she came running back to me, which is in itself amazing.

What an incredible experience. It wasn't until I had Molly back with me that I realized what she was up to. Her natural herding instincts had kicked in and she responded. That tiny little black ball racing around those big deer like she knew what she was doing. Also, amazing was the deer response. They didn't run they just calmly watched as if amused. If it had been Koty those deer would have been in the next county. Their tolerance for Molly was simply amazing.

I took this photo just before the deer happening. Molly 03-04-2013

©Kinsey Barnard

LAKOTA SUNRISE OCTOBER 1, 1999 - FEBRUARY 4, 2013

As regular readers know, Koty has been battling age and Cushing's disease for nearly two years now. Yesterday he decided he had had enough and headed for the Rainbow Bridge.

Koty came to me on December 1st 1999. He was just eight weeks old. He was the cutest fur ball you have ever seen. In the past thirteen years and four months we have been constant companions. Frick and Frack. Mutt and Jeff. I was Mutt he was Jeff.

Koty was an independent cuss from the get go and ready to go at the drop of a hat. We traveled together in our motorhome for months on end and no one ever had a better traveling companion. In his prime Lakota was as beautiful a Siberian Husky as you will ever see. Wherever we went people wanted to touch him and take his photograph. It was like traveling with a celebrity. Through it all Koty conducted himself with grace an elegance.

Two years ago Koty started losing the hair around his neck. The local vet tested him for thyroid mal- function, but the tests were negative. I started my own diagnostic search and concluded he had Cushing's. That diagnosis was confirmed with the appropriate testing. I'm not a big fan of pharmaceuticals so, with my vets blessing, we went the homeopathic route.

Throughout his life going was all Koty wanted to do. We could have hiked 24/7 and he would still have begged for more. We walked thousands of miles together. Lately, Koty had been slowing down which was not unusual considering the life span of a husky, without Cushing's, is 12 to 15 years.

For most of his life Koty had to be kept under control or he would take off for parts unknown. For the past several months he was allowed to roam. Age dictated he didn't go far.

I have a daily routine wherein I have my lunch, lie down on the couch to read and drop off for twenty to thirty minutes. I am usually rousted by Koty wanting to go for a walk. Even though he had the run of the ranch he wanted me to take him for a walk. Yesterday was no different. Off we went down the forest service road. He seemed to be a little more sluggish than usual and his breathing seemed a bit labored. Normally, he would turn himself around when he had had enough but not this day. He just wanted to keep going. I finally had to say no more we need to go home. About a quarter of a mile from our gate he step off the road into the deep snow and toppled over. He was gone in a matter of minutes. He died doing the thing he loved most in life.

Lakota Braveheart was Koty's father's name and he was his father's son.  A braver heart I have never known. Just know Lakota that you will live on in my heart until the day I too topple over in the deep snow.

Koty died the way he lived, with grace and elegance. There will be another dog but there will never be another Lakota Sunrise.

Some of my favorite photos of Lakota

©Kinsey Barnard

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION

It has been some time since I posted to the blog. What with the holidays and I just didn't have anything I wanted to share I decided to take a little hiatus. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We certainly did here at Dancing Deer. It was white an wonderful.

Koty continues to struggle with old age and Cushing's. He's lost so much hair I marvel at how he still loves to be out in the very cold. He wears a neck gator, a friend knit for him, all the time as his neck is completely bald. He's slowed down but his quality of life is tip top. I am now able to let him roam free on the ranch. He loves to trot down to the pond to get his water and I love to watch him. In these last days of his life we are bonding in new and beautiful ways. It fills my heart to breaking.

The winter has been mild so far. The temperatures have been mostly in the 20's,  great for hiking. Everyday Koty still pesters me to no end to go for a hike and so we do. Winter is a magical time in the woods. And I truly treasure the time we spend in them.

Koty down at the pond and roaming free

Timmie has finally given in to the cold and spends the bulk of his time indoors. He's not so tiny anymore either. He's packing on the poundage at a prodigious rate as most of us do who live in this climate.

A friend sent me this video and I just had to pass it on. If it doesn't bring tears to your eyes you've already passed on. It is especially meaningful to me because it reminds me of what a fortunate person I am to live where I do and see what I see. This is my life. And sometimes I take it for granted because it is my life. Watch and enjoy!!! ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
video. A masterpiece.

©Kinsey Barnard

GOING TO THE DOGS

I came across this little story I thought was quite cute and quite true!


A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation.
He wrote: "I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote: SIR: "I’ve been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I’ve never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware, or pictures off the walls.
I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I’ve never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you’re welcome to stay here, too."

Kinsey Barnard 

PS: I just realized when I posted this that it is my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday Mama! She would have been 99.

KOTY BITES THE HAND THAT FEEDS HIM

Egads, I can hardly believe August is almost over and I haven't made one post to my blog.

I've been pretty consumed with a kitchen remodel that has turned into the project from hell. Everything that could possibly go wrong has and some things I would have thought were beyond the realm of possiblity.

Then, to ice my messed up cake, three days ago Koty bit me to the tune of 5 stitches. Like most accidents it was completely due to doing something stupid. I was on the phone with Home Depot discussing this hateful project when Koty went to the screen door and, using his nose, let himself out. Koty is a runner so my first instinct was to stop him by any means possible. I grabbed his tail. Big mistake. Under any circumstances Koty does not like his tail fooled with. So he did the same to me as I did to him, attacked without thinking. It was pretty shocking for both of us.

This is one of those rare occasions that I intentionally seek medical attention. With blood flowing, down to the mountain to the Prompt Care place I flew. Turned out I hadn't had a tetanus shot for 45 years so I got one of those and five stitches. I also got some advice from the doctor that you probably wouldn't get just anywhere. He told me, in all seriousness, not to "go home and shoot the dog". I had to laugh. Only in nowhere Montana would a doctor even think it necessary to say such a thing.

To say Koty was remorseful would be an understatement. After I got home he stayed by my side the rest of the day. The poor guy. He's battling this damned Cushing's thing whilst trying to cope with the aging thing. It's hard for both of us.

Getting old is a bitch even for dogs.

©Kinsey Barnard

Coping With Cushing's

Just a week ago my darling boy Lakota was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. There is no cure for it. So, the best we can hope to do is extend his quality of life for as long as we can. Who knows, if we're lucky, that could be a good long while in dog time.

As  regular readers are aware, Koty is pretty much my family. We are as close as any two creatures can be being together twenty for seven as we are. I have decided to document our experience with the disease in a new blog. It seems a lot of dogs are getting this disease and maybe others will be interested in how we deal with it. Also, to do so makes me feel like I'm somehow being more proactive. Maybe some of my observations will be helpful to others.

In any event the name of the blog is Coping With Cushing's: Lakota's Story . Click on the link to go to the address.

SEO Blues - Bear Business

I recently hired and SEO company to try and get my website rankings up. Yesterday I went to my site and all my photographs were gone ( http://www.kinseybarnard.com/gallery/category/landscapes.html ) and I could no longer gain entry to the site to try and fix things. I literally wept. Neither the web host nor the SEO company is willing to take responsibility.

No I have not "lost" my original photographs. My original work is backed up six ways to Sunday. What was lost was four years of uploading, descriptions and linking, hundreds of hours of work.

It was too much to take so I rounded up Koty and headed for the forest.

We still haven't had much in the way of warm weather, although they say we could get near 80 next week. For now it's cool and rainy.  Everything is such a rich green it's like a dream but we are way behind in terms of blooming. My apple trees have yet to bloom and the only wildflowers, besides dandelions, that I have seen are clematis. Deer enjoy dandelions but I don't think anyone is interested in the clematis. They are a lovely vine.

Clematis

So up the mountain we went. The route I took was pretty much straight up hill and quite a good aerobic workout. There's nothing like a workout in the woods to fight off the effects of life's curve balls. I didn't see any bears but I sure saw where they had been. Due to the lack of much else to eat they are ripping up old stumps looking for ants, grubs and anything else they can find. I think coming out of hibernation hasn't been much fun for them so far this year.

Bear at work.

This piece of stump had rolled down the mountain and onto the trail. It doesn't look very big in the photos but I can say without a doubt that it would have cleaned your clock if one were walking by at the particular moment the bear sent it rolling.

Stump caught on a tree.

All over the mountain side above me I could see where the bears had been at work.

I didn't see any bears themselves this trip. They have been up at the house in the night leaving their calling cards all over the lawn. One night a plastic water bottle I had left out was tooth punctured and mangled. Another one had been up on the deck looking for who knows what.

I must say a walk in the woods was the right prescription. I felt much better even though nothing had changed. I try to tell myself it doesn't matter, all that hard work lost. But, I can't say I'm totally successful. I am well and truly depressed about it.

 Koty, always the happy camper, sniffed out a squirrel. He dug for it furiously for about 15 minutes and when he came up empty handed he didn't care a whit. He was just happy to have had the joy of the hunt. I guess there is a lesson in that for me. Would that I could be as enlightened as my dog.

Koty with his head in the hole he made looking for a squirrel.

©Kinsey Barnard

Holiday Sale!

Well, it’s that time of year again when sugarplums dance in our heads, hard to believe. Here at the ranch we’ve already got snow on the ground and the temps are getting down there. According to the Weather Channel we will be dipping into the teens this week. Two weeks more to run on the hunting season and then we’ll be back to peace and serenity.

I wrote a couple of articles back about PHOTOSHELTER turns out that another very nice thing that site allows me to do is have a sale. I thought for my first effort I would have a holiday sale especially for my blog readers.

I know many of you many of you enjoy looking at my photography. I know because I can track this kind of information on GOOGLE ANALYTICS and it’s very gratifying to see.

Here’s a chance to own your favorites at 15% off the regular price! In addition to prints and prints on canvas you can also purchase note cards and mouse pads of all my images including limited editions. The note cards and mouse pads make great stocking stuffers and office party gifts!

I’ll walk you through the purchase process in case you haven’t tried it yet. Go to my Outdoor Photography Site. Choose an image and click on it to enlarge, this is one of my personal favorites . Click on the green buy button. The prints pricing page comes up by default. If you are interested in the note cards or mouse pads click on the “Products” tab. Once you have added your choices to your shopping cart proceed to check out. When you get to the “Review & Submit” page a pink banner will tell you to scroll to the bottom so you can fill in the code box. Simply type in “KOTY BEAR CARES 2010” and 15% will automatically be deducted from your purchase.

The sale starts today and will run through December 15th.

If you have any problems or need any help please contact me. You will find a “Contact” button at the top of every page.

Go to Kinsey Barnard's Outdoor Photography  and use the code bellow.

The code is:  KOTY BEAR CARES 2010

Happy Holidays from Koty!

Speaking of my little darling here is a little slideshow of some of his images for your enjoyment.


Lakota Sunrise-Siberian Husky - Images by Kinsey Barnard

©Kinsey Barnard

Wolf Sighting

Here in northwest Montana we are in that place between fall and winter when just about anything can happen weather wise. Here at the ranch we have a little snow on the ground and the temperatures have dipped below freezing.

Yesterday afternoon Koty and I took a walk in the woods. It was a little on the cool side but that's the way we like it. It's Montana hunting season so we try to pick our time. Early morning and late afternoon are obviously out. Lunch time can be a little tricky because a lot of guys come out to try their luck. So we try and pick a time between two and four. I was born and raised a hunter and was pretty darned good at it. These days I have no heart for killing.  I prefer to shoot with a camera and I now root for the game.  :)

During hunting season we always dress in our orange vests lest we become targets ourselves. I meant to get a photo of Lakota in his but I forgot. I'll have to remedy that.

Our wildlife sighting for the day was a gray wolf. As usual, he saw us before we saw him and was off into the woods like a gray ghost. Such moments are what make my day. It is always nice to capture a good image but just to see these wild creatres is good enough for me. Of course Koty, once he caught on, was quite excited himself but he is always on a leash when we are out. Koty is a Siberian Husky but these wolves are at least twice as big as he. Koty looks a lot like a wolf but he'd be no match for the real deal.

It turned out to be a glorious afternoon and we didn't see a single hunter. I call this a betwixed and between time because there is a little bit of fall and a little bit of winter in the landscape, an entirely lovely time.

"Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it" ...... Henry David Thoreau



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©Kinsey Barnard

Moonset and The Internet

I spent a good deal of my time this week working on my new store at Imagekind. I’m quite impressed with the quality of the site and pleased with the sales it has generated. The site offers print only or custom framed and there are a gazilliion frame and mat options. You can have a lot of fun playing with them. I have a many more images to upload so there will be new photos as time allows.

I’ve also been working on a marketing campaign for my limited editions as well as working on updating the site. All this to say; I spent most of my week working on Internet stuff and it’s really hard work for one who doesn’t sit well.

Whilst I was consumed with Internet stuff I ran across this article Information Super Sewer. and it made an impression on me. It talks about the pros and cons of the Internet and I believe the author makes some really good points. I know I have a love hate relationship with the darned thing. Give it a read I think you will find it provocative.

Of course, this meant Koty did not get his full measure of energy release and I’ve been paying dearly for that. He hoots and howls non-stop in an effort to show his displeasure. He takes every toy (and he has accumulated quite a few over ten years) out of the toy box and tosses them all over the house. When that doesn’t get my attention he heads for the trash and picks out something he can shred. That does get my attention as I have to chase him all over the place to get it back. I try not to let on but it's hard not to laugh. I really admire his creativity.

My Angel

As always the mule deer were here to keep me company. They are such sweet and gentle creatures. When they arrive in the fall they are wilder than March hares but before winter is over they are as tame as can be. Some of them I get to know so well I am compelled to give them names. This is my girl Daisy.

Daisy

The snow is melting PDF (that stands for Pretty Damned Fast not Portable Format Document). And, the temps have been in the high 40's. The ten day forecast is for 50 degree days. So, if winter is returning it doesn't look like it will be next week.

As usual, Mother Nature reminds me I needn't go far to experience her wonders. In fact I don't even have to leave the house. Below are a couple of images of a recent moonset that came our way this week. Proving once again there is only one true Artist. The rest of us are merely posers.

Moonset Over Montana

The wonder of it all. It's so very humbling.

The View

Check out the "Skyscapes" gallery.

One last item. This must surely be a sign of the times Is Nothing Sacred? Banks are now foreclosing on Kentucky Derby hopefuls.


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Canadian Border and Spring Is In The Air!

As usual we did a lot of walking in the woods this week much of it along the Galton Range which looks down on the Tobacco Valley. It was gorgeous. If you've not seen the Canadian Border anywhere but at a manned crossing you might find the image below kind of interesting. The snow makes it possible to see the thin white line that is the border, nothing more than the equivalent of a fire break. The break in the line is Lake Koocanosa which is still iced over.

Canadian Border

The mountain range in the distance is called the Percells which run right up into British Columbia. I believe the tallest of the peaks is Mt. Henry. There is a forest fire lookout up there. I must get up there one of these days. In any event the view was mighty nice.

Percell Mountains

We have had very little snow this week and very mild temperatures. Even all my forest friends have taken notice. Birds are sing songing and the squirrels are out and about. I saw a real cutie posed beautifully on an old stump by the time I got a bead on him this is what I got ...

Squirrel?

The sun has been shining quite a bit and it really transforms the world. If the Tobacco Valley has any short coming I suppose for me it would be that the winters are dark and dreary. So, when the sun does make an appearance it's like manna from heaven. I love the patterns in nature and tree bark is a favorite subject. In the image below the sun is really showing off this Ponderosa.

Ponderosa Bark

And, of course, there was Koty hanging out doing what he does best .... looking beautiful.

Lakota Sunrise

Speaking of Koty; he had some of his pals stop by to play. The deer are really funny. They know Koty is on a tether and just how close they can come to him without risking an altercation. Koty pretends to be indifferent hoping to lure them within range.

Koty & Friend

It won't be long now until we can get out and about. I'm beginning to get that yearning for spring. What usually happens is we get this great weather in February and get all excited that winter is done. Then wham we get hit with one more serious winter patch.

The View

"The View" is what I see out my livingroom window. Man am I one lucky girl?!

Well that was our week. It was another great one but we are starting to get a little spring fever!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's been cold and snowy here in northwest Montana. So mostly I have been working on my tagging and cataloging. Gets pretty darned tedious until I find a gem which then renews my enthusiasm. There are sooooo many images I haven't reviewed yet.

For those of you kind enough to be concerned about Koty's health he seems to be doing just fine. He had a short relapse but he's good to go at the moment.

Koty and His Igloo

Koty loves his Igloo but naturally will not sit still in it if I want to take his picture. I also thought I would try and get an action shot or two but clearly I was off my game. If you've not tried to photograph a speeding bullet it really isn't that easy. It's a lot like bird shooting, you have to lead them just right. As soon as he caught on to what I was doing he wouldn't get far enough away from me to get a shot. Well, ok, at least you can see he's in fine fettle.

Part of Koty on the Fly

We did take a little meander along the Tobacco River. Winter has its own brand of beauty and it got me to thinking about the incredible artistry, energy and engineering that goes into making the river go from this ....

The Tobacco River in Winter

To this ....

Tobacco River in Autumn

I freely admit I like to fool around with the camera. You just can't always take things too seriously. My philosophy is to play as much as possible with the camera in the woods. It's just fun to see things and shoot them just to find out how they might turn out. For me that's one of the most wonderful things about digital. In the old days the film I shot cost over fifteen dollars per roll of thirty-six. I wasn't nearly so playful in those days. I shot this just for fun and I kinda like it. It's kinda cool.

Sunset

And now for my photo pick of the week. I really like this one and believe it or not this is not filtered. It was taken before the sun came up and at a very high ISO. It was beautiful to the eye but was not nearly as pretty a shade of blue. Photography is quite often like a box of chocolates. You never know what you've got until you get them out of the camera.


Winter Morning by Kinsey Barnard

Well, that about does it for 2009! It was a great year and Koty and I are looking forward to 2010 being even better. I think each year keeps getting better for us because we know there are so few left and we have to make the most of them whilst we still can.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Mule Deer in Winter

**
This past week Koty made it on to the out an injured list. My poor boy just cannot get it through his head that he is not a puppy anymore. He gets so excited and rambunctious that he throws his back out of whack. As my vet says "Siberians are NOT the most stoic of dogs." That's an understatement. When moves the wrong way he screams like someone is sticking him with a red hot poker. As with me, when this happens there's not much you can do but take aspirin and tough it out.

Koty Out and Injured

So, there wasn't much hiking or traveling around searching for photo opportunities. We pretty much hung around the ranch and I entertained myself by photographing the mule deer.

Mule Deer Traversing the Meadow

One of the interesting things about winter photography can be that you get nearly black and white photos without shooting in black and white. And you get just a hint of natural color from the landscape. Of course, you can always make this happen n Photoshop but I prefer to shoot nature naturally.

Mule Deer Doe

The other thing you will notice is how well they blend in to their surroundings. In winter deer predators are abundant in this environment. Mule deer must be particularly alert to wolf packs and mountain lions. The mountain lions on this mountain are enormous. So are the wolves.

Mule Deer Foraging for Grass

The gal below was so pretty resting in the snow with the last little bit of sunlight reflecting just off her big mule deer ears.

Catching the Last of Winter Rays

I really love mule deer. They are elegant and charming creatures. Much less skittish than the whitetail deer. Before the winter is over they will let me draw very close without a care in the world.

Mule Deer Portrait

That's it from Dancing Deer Ranch.

The End


GREAT GIFT IDEA!!!! MOTHER AND CHILD


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

MY PHOTO PICK OF THE WEEK

Naturally, I'd be delighted if you were to purchase but looking is free and you should see this photo if you are interested in the old west. It's truly lovely and will transport you to another time, if only for a moment.

Snow Dog On the Run

I must write about my week in reverse. It's been snowing for two days now and although it has been a light snow it has started to accumulate. Koty, my Siberian Husky, loves running in the snow. So, this morning I could not resist doing a little photo shoot of him enjoying himself. I'm worse than a proud parent but what can I say? :)


Lakota Sunrise


Lakota Sunrise


Lakota Surise

Winter is well and truly here that's for sure. I remember the first Christmas after I moved here, in 2002, there was not a flake of snow on the ground and I was afraid I would get a white Christmas in my new home. It snowed that night. But, this year there can be no doubt we'll be having a white one.

Earlier in the week when we went for our weekly Post Office run I chased this juvenile red-tailed hawk in the car from post to post. Never was able to get a good shot but here he is anyway.

Red-Tailed Hawk

AS is our way in winter we just stuck around the ranch and hiked in the woods. There is enough beautiful nature right hear so as not to have to ever leave for the want beauty.

Out the Kitchen Window

It did warm up some from that cold spell that blew through. My coldest temperature was a minus eight but a pal of mine down in the valley scored a twenty below. That be real cold. Cold does create some beautiful images though. Like this photo of ice crystals that formed on the pond. They look like flowers to me.

Ice Crystals

I spent some time working in the woods. The burning season has ended but one can still build a warming fire and that what I do in order to keep on with my cleaning up. It's just so beautiful being out in the woods. The photo below is a scene I pondered whilst I worked. The clouds here in Montana are some of the most beautiful in the on the planet.

The Meadow

What more fitting end to a blog post than a sunset. The sunsets at my altitude are just too good to be true all year round.

Sunset

Well, that about does it for this week at Dancing Deer Ranch in magical Montana.

©Kinsey Barnard