Dickey Lake-Montana

Last Friday I decided to take my kayak and paddle around Dickey Lake. Dickey Lake is one of my favorite lakes, mostly because of the incredible color of the water. And the color is constantly changing depending on the light.

Dickey Lake

When I first moved to this area most of the houses looked more like this property.

But, thanks to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and high energy prices we have been invaded by Albertans and the houses now look more like this .....

It is trully amazing what eight short years have done to this sleepy little valley. N'est pas? Below are a few more lovely properties that can be found along Dickey's shores.

Below is another view of the same property. Everyone has lots of toys. Eight years ago you would seldom see anyone on Dickey but these days people are riding  their jet skis and boats speed about with water skiers in tow. It has become quite the playground. This place had something I'd never seen before. It was an inflated ring with chair like seats so people could have a community soak whilst perhaps enjoying a little toddy? (Look at the above photo to see the seats)

My last offering is a back to nature shot of a very lovely willow that grows right along the shore.

It was a great day for a kayak trip and you could not beat the scenery. Dickey does have one drawback, one that would preclude me from ever wanting a property here, It's right on highway 93 and you get to watch and hear traffic all day long. That sort of thing doesn't seem to bother a lot of people but it would drive me nuts. I have to have my serenity. But, as a place to go play, it's way cool!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Wandering the Rexford Bench

The weather has not been kind. It has been cold, rainy, windy with even a little snow thrown in every now and again. For the past several years spring has gotten colder and colder. Watch out for that global warming, you may freeze to death. I can't even think about that boondoggle without seeing red.

Anyway, Koty and I took a little wander down along the Rexford Bench. The Reford Bench has a trail that goes along the bluff overlooking Lake Koocanusa.

Koty & I Walking the Bench

This little trail is usually a good place to spy some of the different types of wildflowers.

Oregon Grape

No offense to anyone but I am going to dispense with a lot of the verbiage because I can tell by some of the questions I get and the amount of time people spend on the site they are really just scanning the photos. Writing is hard work.

Blue Clematis

Not Yet Identified

Forget Me Nots

I took this next photo just because I thought it was interesting. I believe the foliage is some type of wild holly? The leaf is clearly diseased and one half has perished. Still I think it makes for a fascinating still life study.

Holly Leaf

Another kind of leaf.

Another plant that always fascinates, particualrly in death, is the dandelion gone to seed.

Dandelion

I continue to be fascinated by the beautiful designs I keep finding in boulders. My all time favorite boulder, as well as, my favorite photograph period is "Kootenai Spirits".

Boulder

Another Boulder

And so, it was a pleasant afternoon spent walking alomg the bench observing the plant life and seeing yet another face of the Koocanusa.

Lake Koocanusa

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Holland Lake, Montana - September 24, 2009

Woke up at the crack of dawn. Clem's auxiliary batteries completely drained. I was worried that the batteries might not hold a charge. I haven't done much dry camping for awhile and I wondered if the batteries might be effected by not being used. I guess I got my answer. The strange thing is I started Clem's engine and the battery gauge went back to full almost instantly. Hmmmm?

It was not a case of over using the power. I had one light on and it was out by 9:00 pm.

I got geared up and we headed for the falls. About half way Koty refused to go any further. This happens every once in awhile and I really have no idea why. But, what ever the reason he did not want to go up that trail. I really wasn't that inspired by those falls or I would have taken him back to the rig and gone without him.

Koty, the Picky Hiker

So, I decided to work along the shore and see what I could come up with. Even though it was another cloudless day it was still quite beautiful. But, it makes it more difficult to create a photograph that is appealing to the eye.


Holland Lake-1


Holland Lake-2

The mountains that you see in the distance are the Mission Mountains. I hope to be seeing them again from the other side before our trip is over.

Holland Lake-3

Holland Lake-3 is my favorite of the series. For me there is an elegant kind of chaos that is, in my opinion, the essence of nature.

It's amazing how much time I can grind up plotting photos. Before I knew it it was time to head for camp. On the way back we ran into a couple form Wisconsin, Alan Pape and his wife Marilyn. Alan is a painter and like me they were wandering the woods in search of certain beauty. You can find Alan Pape here. You meet the nicest people out in the woods! Sometimes not but mostly so.

As they headed up to the falls I hoped that Koty was not reluctant to travel the trail because of perceived danger.

After lunch we headed over toward Owl Pack Station. This is outfitter staging area for taking folks in the the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Around here it's referred to as simply "the Bob". It is one of the last great wildernesses left in America. And, when people say "the Bob" they always seem to have a tone of awe in their voices.

We hiked up the trail a couple of miles. Didn't find anything to photograph but it was a beautiful trail in the forest. And, it was cool. Temps have been in the eighties here. Way to hot for me and the bear.

On our way back to the campground we ran into a couple of kayakers just about to set sail. Being the shy unfriendly type I walked right over and said howdy. It turned out to be a young woman and an elderly gentleman. The young woman was taking her friend Bob on his first ever kayak trip in celebration of his birthday. Bob was 89. I gave them card and said I would be happy to send them a photo.


Birthday Boy Bob

By the time we got back to camp the sun was setting. Last night I had seen a reflection on the water cast by a cabin at the Lodge near by. I wanted to set up and see if I could get something. This is what I got.

Cabin Reflection

Not as interesting as I thought it might be but still quite nice I think. I also spied these canoes on the shore and gave them a shot as well.


Holland Lake Lodge Canoes

Tonight I am going to use no lights and read by flashlight and see what happens.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

2010 CALENDARS & LOTSA LAKES

This week I worked on putting together my 2010 calendars. I have four planned and I managed to get three put together. The fourth I hope to get done next week and it will be on the pacific coast. The the photo are some of my favorites of the subject. The calendars sell for $24.89 each and are top quality.

LAKOTA SUNRISE aka KOTY BEAR .... (Click on Link)

MARVELOUS MONTANA .... (Click on Link)

THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST .... (Click on Link)

This week was my car trouble week. I hope I got that over with. First the ABS light came on in the Explorer and then Shadow got a nail in one of her shoes. I drove too far on it and ended up having to buy two new tires. Drat!

Whilst waiting for repairs Koty and I took a walk along the Tobacco River which runs nearly through town. I understand at one time it did. I couldn't resist this clever prop of a fishing pole with a fish on the line. I couldn't get the pole in. I think it's for the upcoming Salmon Fest.

EUREKA SALMON FEST

It is quite apparent Fall is on its way. The last of the flowers are on their way out.

LAST OF THE FLOWERS

For our outting this week I was going to go see what photo ops we might find at Frank Lake but I got waylaid by a sign that said Rock Lake. I hadn't ever been to Rock Lake so I decided to give it a whirl. Turns out there are three lakes up this particular road. Long, Rock and Timber.

The first lake we checked out was Rock. It apparently got its name because it has a few rocks in it.

ROCK LAKE

A few lucky folks have places on this lake. I reckon they are only summer places as you'd have a devil of a time getting in here in the winter. Sadly, people had music blaring and it kind of took the bloom off my lily.

On the public side of the lake it is pretty heavily forested and difficult to get a good view. In my never ending quest to get a nice image I decided to take off down a slope through a tangled mass of blow down. Koty was leading the way as usual on his leash attached to my belt. The forest was so thick it was pretty dark and I had my dark glasses on. I couldn't take them off or I really wouldn't be able to see. Normally, I wear Transitions but that's another story.

It wasn't long before I lost my balance and went crashing. I always seem to put my hands out to break my falls, which are frequent. I call them my bone density tests. If I had brittle bones I surely would have broken something by now. Anyway, this time, I fell on something that punctured the palm of my hand. I don't know what it was cause I I pulled the thing out so fast and tossed it I never got a good look at it. What I did see was my stuffing popping out of the hole. Not pretty. Below is the image I got for my trouble.

ROCK LAKE THE HARD WAY

A little further down the trail we found Timber Lake. This lake was named for the old timber standing in and around it. Folks around here were very original when they named these lakes.

TIMBER LAKE

The lake was fairly low but I'll bet it's pretty in the spring. We'll have to come back and see next spring. You can't see it in the photo below but there was a whitetail doe and her fawn scampering around behind this rock up near the timber line. I was so very beautiful to watch.

TIMBER LAKE

I noted a few of these bird boxes at two of the lakes. I don't know what they are for. The boxes are large as are the entry holes. I was thinking maybe owls but I don't really know.

BIRD BOX AT LONG LAKE

We never did make it to Frank Lake. It was smack dab in the middle of the day by the time we finished with the others. Soon it won't matter because the angle of the sun will be coming from so far south any time of day is interesting. We'll have to save Frank for another trek.

We did get more beautiful sunsets this week.

KOTY BEAR SUNSET

©KINSEY BARNARD

SCOUTING LOCATIONS-SUNSETS- MONTANA TEA

I got a call from Montana Woodworks saying my stool was ready. I have, for sometime wanted to try and get some shots of the Koocanusa from the west bank. I figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone. It never ceases to amaze me that after seven years I still find trails I have not been down before. This day I found a new one that was just the ticket. Below is a photo of the bridge that spans the lake to the West Kootenai.

REXFORD BRIDGE

The day was not good for photography. It was very hazy. Most likely due to a fire somewhere. Although, as fire seasons go this year was a very light one. The important thing is I found a promising place to return to when conditions are more favorable.

LAKE KOOCANUSA

KOOCANUSA THROUGH THE PONDEROSA

You can see that the leaves have already begun to change. It never ceases to amaze me how fast the sun moves north and south here in north Montana. We've already lost well over an hour of sunlight. I don't know why it is but I always seem to get the best shots of Lakota in the Fall.

LAKOTA

Fall always seems to bring with it the best sunsets of the year and they have started already. Pleas note there has been no color enhancement of these photographs. This is the true color.

SEPTEMBER SUNSET


SUNSET OUT MY WINDOW

This summer I have invented a new drink. Normally, I don't mix alcohol with mixers. I drink it either neat or with water. But, I found something to which I am well and truly addicted. The great thing about it is it's fantastic without the alcohol! Now please keep in mind I live in the woods and what's new to me may be old hat to you. It's Lipton White Tea Peach Papaya. I mix it with gin and it's the most refreshing drink I think I've ever had. I dubbed it Montana Tea. Seriously, if you haven't tried it you must. It's diet so no wasted calories and as I mentioned straight is delicious too which is actually how I discovered it.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

UPPER WHITEFISH LAKE - MONTANA

I worked so hard this week with the chainsaw I have gotten sore callouses on both my hands. I decided we had to get out of our own forest and into another so we made an exploration of Upper Whitefish Lake in the Stillwater State Forest. The weather turned on us again and we went from beauty mid-seventies to the forties and fifties over night. It snowed at the higher elevations. We have certainly had the whacky weather this spring.

UPPER WHITEFISH ROAD

You can get to the Upper Whitefish two ways, out of Stryker on the Marston Lookout road or out of Olney. The Marston Lookout way is a little more rugged, the Olney route a pretty good and level dirt road. In fact it's quite a pleasant drive.

Wildflowers are beginning to appear and along this road I spied one of my favorites...

BEARGRASS

I've yet to run across the reason why it is called beargrass.

It's about thirteen and a half miles in to the lake. The road winds through beautiful meadows with distant views of the Whitefish Range. If one wanted to catch site of moose this swampy meadow is a moose's delight. Alpine meadows, you gotta love 'em.

STILLWATR FOREST & THE WHITEFISH RANGE

I love water and one of the great things about spring in the Rockies is that there is lots of water running every where when the snow begins to melt. I really enjoy trying to capture water in motion. It has so much mood and character. The below images were shot right along the road. Nothing still about this water.

STILLWATER STATE FOREST

STILLWATER STATE FOREST

STILLWATER STATE FOREST

There was quite a bit of evidence that the windstorm which had done so much damage to my forest had hit this area as well. There were downed trees everywhere. I am always expecting to get trapped one day, whilst traveling these back roads, by a tree which has fallen after me. I carry a hand saw but it wouldn't make a dent in some of the bruisers that fall across the road. All you can do when that happens is wait until someone with a bigger saw comes along. The forest service is pretty good about patrolling the roads to keep them clear.

FALLEN TREE ON UPPER WHITEFISH LAKE ROAD

By now you are probably wondering if I am ever going to show you a picture of the bloody lake.

UPPER WHITEFISH LAKE

According to the sign the lake is 100 acres and is at an altitude of approximately 4,400 ft. There are a number of campsites and it looked like a pretty popular spot for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. The road continues on past the lake and looked to b worthy of further exploration. But, the weather was beginning to close in again so we decide not to venture forth.

We had a great week and hope you did too!

Kinsey & Koty

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Hiking, Clouds and Reflections

05-09-2002

I've been working in the forest, trying to make a dent in the damage that was done by the windstorm. Man, am I out of shape. That six month photo shoot in the south has taken it's toll. Three hours and I'm down for the count. My arms getting so tired I can barely hold up the chainsaw. All the while Koty watches wondering when will will go hiking. Of course, after working with the chainsaw there isn't anything left for a hike. But, I promised Koty I would take him for a hike today and I always try and keep my promises.

I decided we should take the hike to the Marina via Swisher Lake. It was one of those days in Montana when the clouds were strutting their stuff. I love clouds, they are like living things, shape shifting and gliding along. I think we have exceptional clouds here. I love to photograph them.



On the way we popped into little Tetrault Lake where folks were trying their hand at a little morning angling. The lake was placid and once again there were those beautiful clouds reflecting in the water.



It's about a quarter of a mile walk into Swisher Lake from the road. It too is a little thing but very tranquil. This morning it was particularly peaceful. There was a coyote sipping at the shore and a pair of Canada Geese paddling serenely along. I have no photograph of the scene as I didn't have the proper lens to make anything worthwhile. Some things that I see just remain photographed in my memory. I guess I'm selfish but I like that.



Soon the geese paddled away, the coyote wandered off into the forest and so did we. The Swisher/Marina trail is about six and a half miles long if you go all the way to the marina which is right on the border with British Columbia. It's a very nice trail, no motorized vehicles allowed.

Today I had two objectives in mind, besides giving Koty his promised walk. One was to check for wildflowers and the other was to check out an old snag where some owls had made their nest last year. There were some wildflowers. I thought the one below was quite lovely. I haven't looked it up yet so I don't know what it is besides pretty. Isn't that enough? Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be anyone home at the snag.



We didn't make it all the way to the marina because I kept taking side trips. On one side trip we wandered down to the shore of the Koocanusa. The lake (reservoir really) runs about ninety miles from Libby Dam straight into British Columbia. It got it's name from Koo (kootenai) can (Canada) usa (USA) hokey but appropriate. The lake is still pretty low because the snow still isn't melting much. I thought last spring was cold. This spring has been even colder than last year. No global warming here, quite the opposite. We did find a place where water was just coming right out of the bank and flowing into the lake. Koty especially liked this discovery as he was thirsty.



I'd say we probably made it a little more than half way to the marina before I decided it was time to turn back. Koty did not like that idea one bit. I keep thinking Koty is going to slow down a little. After all he is going to be ten in October but absolutely no sign of it yet. He is now older than I am and has ten times the energy. Not fair!



On the way home we passed by Sophie Lake. I love to photograph reflections. This one was of clouds, Mt. Baldy and the Galton Range. Could a painter create anything more beautiful? I think not.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography