LOOKS LIKE GOOD WEATHER

Finally looks like we are going to get a break from the monsoon. This year it has been something, never ending rain. I've had close to thirty inches. The rivers are running bank to bank. The highest I think I've ever seen. Lake Koocanusa is right up to the tree line.

The nice thing about it is that everything is emerald green. If you want to see Montana at it's greenest June is the time to come. But bring your raincoat.



©Kinsey Barnard

LAKE KOOCANUSA & LITTLE NORTH FORK FALLS

We made a couple of forays this past week. The first was to Lake Koocanusa. I am trying to get some good shots of Koty for a 2010 calendar but he is not being at all co-operative. You can believe that the good ones that I do have are serendipity. I have never known an animal so reluctant to have it's photograph taken. Needless to say I didn't get any at the Koocanusa but at least you can see below how pretty the lake was!

TWIT DOG REFUSING TO POSE

We took our usual walk down to the Marina. Not much going on but I did get some nice images of wildflowers. The one below is particularly pretty but I can't seem to find the name of it yet. If anyone knows what it is I would appreciate a heads up.

UNIDENTIFIED WILDFLOWER

SUNFLOWERS

I know that dandelions are weeds but I really like the way they look once they have gone to seed. They are so intricate and delicate. Endlessly fascinating to me.

DANDELION

Later in the week we made a foray across the bridge over the Koocanusa and into the Kootenai mountains. Our objective was to get some new images of Little North Fork Falls. I often speak of photographs as moments in time and that they are. Moments that have never been before and will never be again.

I photographed the falls last year but there were no fallen cedars across it then. Now it is pretty much impossible to capture them with out the windfall. Nature is always in motion. Nothing remains the same for long.

LITTLE NORTH FORK FALLS

After playing around with the falls for awhile I tried to get some shots of the creek. The one below turned out nicely. It seems to convey nicely the dark rich colors of the water flowing down the creek.

LITTLE NORTH FORK CREEK

I had to leave Koty in the car to do the falls and creek as I must do when working with the tripod. You can't get these water shots without one as the shutter speeds are so slow. Koty is like to have me and the pod on our behinds if allowed.

This area of the Kootenai is grizzly country and I was hoping we might encounter some grizzled fellow but we didn't even see any sign let along one of the big guys. Our hike took us up along Big Creek which is beautiful even this late in the season. Actually, I find creeks are generally more interesting when the runoff has subsided. This is because more boulders are exposed and the boulders add texture to ones photographs.

BIG CREEK

I have often mentioned one of the reasons I love traveling is because of the interesting people we meet. Exactly two years ago this month we were in Dillion, MT photographing ghost towns and met Roger Hopkins and his wife. We were staying at the same RV park. Roger is a rock sculptor from Palm Desert, CA. We had some very interesting conversations.

This week I received and e-mail from Roger with a TV Interview attached. It was fun to watch. I encourage you to visit Roger's Website. He has really done some amazing work! I think you will really enjoy looking at it.

Well, that was our week. Hope yours was a good one too!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

KICKING AROUND THE KOOCANUSA

Here in Northwest Montana we are still trying to get into spring. Having a darned hard time of it too. If you are planning a trip to Glacier I'd hold off on that. Here is a recent photo of Going to the Sun sent to me by my friend Kevin. I think the photographer was one of the road crew.

Glacier Park May 2009

It hasn't been very warm but it's always beautiful here at the ranch. Mother Nature seems to have a choice bit for us nearly everyday. This cloud formation reminds me of some kind of gigantic insect.

KOTY BEAR THEATER

Our western sky is very special and offers a never ending kaleidoscope of color and shape shifting. Below is a sunset we had this week. I love the dark moody colors. They seem to reflect the mood of those of us who are still waiting on spring! :)

KOTY BEAR SUNSET

We took a trip over to Rexford and the Koocanusa this week. There is a nice trail that follows the bluff above the lake all the way to the marina. The view is always lovely, looking north into the distance at the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. I don't think I have ever seen as much snow this late in the year.

LAKE KOOCANUSA & CANADIAN ROCKIES

I was on the look out for any wildflowers but only came across these two:

OREGON GRAPE


PHLOX

The lake continues to await the run off season so the water level is still quite low. Down at the marina the docks aren't even in the water yet. I reckon marina boaters are getting kind of antsy.

MARINA BUOY SITS IN THE SAND

I'm never near water that I don't try to capture some type of reflection. I just think they are so beautiful and artistic. If I could paint I would want to paint this.

KOOCANUSA REFLECTING

And, of course, Koty was enjoying the day as always. I have never known a creature as happy as this dog. He is nearly ten years old now, I have had him since he was eight weeks. He is now older than I am and still have ten times the energy. I think of him as my fountain of youth. If it weren't for him I'm sure I wouldn't get half the exercise.


KOTY BEAR AT KOOCANUSA

©Kinsey Barnard