Moose Encounter in Montana

Today was another work in the woods day. I did pretty well I cut up seven trees. Course, I had already removed the limbs this winter so it takes a lot less time. My back is killing me! The pile below is just one tree.

I wasn’t going to post to this site today but I am compelled. Whilst I was toiling away with my chainsaw I had a wonderful encounter with Mildred the Moose and Earl, Jr. Mildred and a much smaller Earl dropped by last fall. Came right up to the house and looked in the picture window. I’m fairly certain it the same cow and calf.

I was taking a break when I heard thrashing and crashing. This is always a sign that something big is close by. I looked but didn’t see anything so I went back to my sawing. About ten minutes later I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. And, there, about fifty feet away was a mother moose and her yearling just moseying by. I turned off the saw and watched. Then I called out “Hello, mama!” They stopped to look at me. The animals always do. I gave them my special salute. It was a truly magical moment. They stood there for several minutes and something passed between us.. Mother Nature really loves me this week, a mountain lion and moose encounter in the same week?

Sorry, there are no photos. There never is when encounters with big game take place at my ranch. In this life one must make choices, have priorities. I cannot be a photographer and at the same time be in the moment with these wondrous creatures. Being in the moment with the wildlife in the privacy of my ranch, is for me, worth a thousand award-winning, moneymaking photographs. The images of these intimate moments will live with me until the day that I die. That is all the reward I will ever need.

But I do want to share with you my favorite moose photograph. Sure wish I had that big boy down here to help me with the logging! This is my My Favorite moose photo.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

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Idaho & The Kootenai Wildlife Refuge

This week was a fun week, aren't they all? :) We went to visit really special friends of ours who have a ranch over near Sandpoint, Idaho. Our route took us down along the Koocanusa to Libby. The photo above is of Libby Dam. As you can see the water level is right up there. We really had great snowpack this year. Good news for all you folks down river!



Here's another one of mom's better wildlife shots. She really does a great job with statues! ;) The point here though is that this is the site of one of those Super Fund cleanup jobs. W.R. Grace nearly killed off all of the early Libby residents with asbestos. Now the place is a pretty park like setting. Better late than never but not much.



Next stop was the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. This is located five miles west of Bonner's Ferry. If you are in the area you don't want to miss this place. It is gorgeous.



It doesn't take much imagination to figure what this refuge looks like during the Fall migration. There is an auto tour road that winds through the refuge and gives you a birdseye (pardon the pun) view of all the goings on.



Far and away the coolest thing we saw was a moose cavorting in the water. He's was too far away to get a good photo but boy was this guy having a good time. Mom really gets choked up when we see wild creatures expressing their uninhibited joy of living. Just watching makes you happy too!

Mom says maybe we will come back in the Fall. I hope so but there are so many great places to go in the Fall it's really hard to choose.



We spent a few happy go lucky days at our friends ranch and then it was home again. On the way back we took a different route and instead of going through Bonner's Ferry we went east on 200 and took 56 north back up to 2. We hadn't gone this way before and up 56 is Rose Creek Nature Trail and the Giant Cedars. And let me tell you those cedars are giant.



This is what I call a BIG foot! This is another stop you would want to make if you are ever in the area. The nature trail is very nice and an easy walk for anyone.

That's it from the Kinsey & Koty roadshow. Another great week for us we hope for you too!

©Kinsey Barnard

I'm Too Sexy For My Shirt!

Dang! I am good looking aren't I? :) And, what a week I had winning the Arte de Pico Award I have no idea what it means but it must be a good thing right?! And, many thanks to those of you who offered congratulations.



So, what did we do this week? Oh, yeah, we went to Whitefish and Kalispell to do a little shopping. No shops in Eureka. The above is the best shot of a moose mom ever got! Don't tell her I said so. This one is outside our favorite outdoor store.


On the way home we stopped for a stroll along the Whitefish River which runs right through Whitefish and has lots of ducks floating around. They have great walking paths along the river.



On Wednesday we had a gully washer of a storm. Like everything else this spring the monsoon arrived late too. There was thunder and lightening like you couldn't imagine, rattled the windows. I don't like that stuff! I hid out in the house whilst mom tried to save the driveway. But, the rain came down so hard and so fast there was no saving it. When she came back in she looked like a drowned rat. Nice try mom. Better luck next time!



Thursday we went down to Dickey Lake. It's one of the more beautiful ones around here. The water has that rock flour stuff from the glaciers and it makes the water the most beautiful shades of blue. The lake is half private and half public. This house was built by some folks from Alberta. Lots of Canadians around here these days what with the tar sands and the very strong Loonie. Must be lots of money in that sand!



And, here's my favorite photo of the week. Some people say I have an over active imagination but this looks to me like a fuzzy headed, green monster munching on it's lunch whilst a little grouse hen looks on. She had better be careful. She just might be on the menu for desert!

Green monsters are cool! Thunder and lightening I have no use for. I sure hope that's the last of that!

Well, that was our week. Hope yours was great too!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography