FAWN UPDATE

At last, I saw my first fawn this morning. I was on my way down to change the position of my solar panels and there they were in the meadow, a little bitty baby nursing it's mother.

A fellow I know said he thought maybe the rut was late last fall which would explain the lateness of seeing babies. Whatever, I'm glad their here. They are a beautiful part of the spring/summer experience here in Montana.



©Kinsey Barnard

WHERE ARE THE FAWNS?

I have been waiting and waiting to see this year's crop of fawns. Normally they are born in May and out and about by June. I have had at least a dozen does, both whitetail and mule deer,  hanging about but have yet to see a fawn. That there are whitetail and mule deer here together is also unusual. The mule deer usually move to the high country as the whitetail come up from the valley.

Last night I think I heard a fawn squeal. I hope the coyotes or the wolves aren't killing them. That certainly could be the case.

Seems to me things are a changing in nearly all respects. There is an old Chinese saying "May you live in interesting times". I think we are.



The above photograph of a fawn frolicking was taken June 19th last year.

©Kinsey Barnard

HUNTING FOR ICE BLOOMS

Yesterday was nice and sunny after a morning of dense fog. When the fog rolls in around here it is complete whiteout and not very uplifting. The nice thing about it is that I know a phenomenon is taking place that will make for some fun with the camera, hoar frost.

Hoar frost occurs when the air has gobs of moisture in it and the temperature is below freezing. When the moisture freezes crystal blooms literally form on the frozen surfaces of lakes and ponds. If the frost is big enough the entire forest turns into a crystal palace. Kind of like a scene from Dr. Zhivago.

As soon as the fog lifted and the sun came out I grabbed up my gear and headed for the pond.  Sure enough there were some small blooms upon the surface. These crystals aren't easy to photograph. It's difficult to get good definition. After an hour and a half of trying I wasn't able to get much more than an image that will at least convey to you what I am talking about when I say ice blooms. The air temperature was 18 degrees F and that kinda cold eats up camera batteries very fast.

What I call Ice Blooms

In the image above the ice crystals formed on larch needles but these blooms can form all by themselves creating some absolutely delicate and exquisite crystal flowers. It's not even officially winter yet so hopefully I'll have more chances to get something that lights my candle.

I did get one image that I liked. Ice flowers had formed on stalks of last summer's grass. The stalks were leaning over the dark waters of a brook which gives the appearance of a starry sky.

I just love taking photographs like this. They make me feel as though I am looking at a world within a world. Nature creates so many incredibly interesting things. It's like traveling in inner space and fascinates the dickens out of me.



PS: In case you missed it and you live where winters are winters please check out this post. A fall on ice could really mess up your life. Micro Spikes

©Kinsey Barnard

Steve Jobs - A Wet Fall So Far

Sadly Steve Jobs has past away at a very young 56.  I'm glad he was able to see his company finally come into it's own as a brand.

Open burn season began on the first of October but ever since then it has been raining so I can't get out to do Fall cleanup in the forest. Wasn't able to do much this spring for the same reason. The fuel just keeps piling up.

No one is more guilty of romanticizing nature than moi. But, the truth is nature is just like us, or we are just like nature, seemingly never able to do anything in moderation. Actually, it is an oxymoron to speak of nature and humans as separate in anyway, but we do. 

Yesterday I was literally cocooned in white billowy clouds. Written like that it sounds romantic alright but the truth is it was quite claustrophobic. I couldn't see two feet in front of my face. Koty was twirling around on the carpet trying to get me to go out. I refused. :)
 
It was not so long ago everyone was wringing their hands over the drought. Now we have more water than we know what to do with. Not really, the Kootenai River takes the run-off and sends it on down to the Columbia where lots of folks can use it in one way or another.

I, personally, do have more water than I know what to do with. Usually, by this time of year the water table has dropped down and the spring puts out a nice little flow throughout the winter. This year the pipe bringing the water down the mountain is still running at capacity!

One thing is for sure about Montana,you never know from one minute to the next what kind of weather will be coming your way.

©Kinsey Barnard

KIKOMUN Provincial Park - British Columbia

One of the very handy things about living where I do is that I can get to Canada, British Columbia, in about fifteen minutes.

Yesterday morning was really a stunner so, still reeling from my website debacle, I decided to treat myself and Koty to a trip to Kikomun Provencial Park. I love this little park and it's a scant thirty miles from my home.

The park has a number of small lakes but my favorite is Surveyor Lake. There is a trail that loops around the entire lake and two beaches for people to launch their watercraft or just hang in an awesomely beautiful landscape. Koty and I probably spent two hours strolling the trail and taking in the sites. During that brief time I saw a loon, a pair of mergansers, numerous mallards, a great blue heron, a woodpecker, and a slew of painted turtles.

Another special feature of this lake and trail is the Canadian Rocky backdrop one can see from the west end of the lake, just spectacular.

Below are photos of some of the wonders that we saw.

A couple of redheaded mergansers out for a paddle.

Unfortunately, this loon was a bit far afield for my lens but I couldn't resist "shooting" it anyway. Loons are one of my most favorite birds. Not only is plumage design extraordinary but it's call is simply alluring. It is one of my most favorite sounds in all of creation.

The Surveyor lake water is crystal clear. This photo was taken of the lake bottom right through the water.

The view across Surveyor Lake to the Canadian Rockies, more precisely these mountains are called the Kootenay Rockies.

Painted turtles lined up on a log taking in the sun.

This was as much of the paint job as I could get a picture of from any of these turtles. Painted turtles are usually pretty shy guys and dive in the water at any sound or disturbance.

I nearly forgot to mention, the wildflowers were starting to bloom. If there is such a thing as a wild snap dragon then that's what this is. I'll have to look it up to make certain.

Mornings like this one are what life is all about for me. Imagine, I can be in and drink up this wonderland in a matter of minutes. I am one lucky ducky!

©Kinsey Barnard

Friends

I've been doing some image housekeeping and up dating. An arduous task to be sure but it does allow me to revisit some of my favorite images.

Today I came across this image of two big horn ewes greeting one another on the side of a cliff in Jasper National Park. It never ceases to amaze me how like us animals are. They so often demonstrate, what I think can only be described as, emotions. Animals, both wild and domestic, can often be seen nurturing one another, expressing joy through playfulness and great senses of humor.

If the purpose of an image is to bring forth emotions this one does it for me. I call it "Friends". I'm not uploading the image directly to the blog. Please click on the link. I want you to be able to see it in the highest resolution possible and this is the only way I know to make that happen.


For me, the photo just smacks of the importance and sweetness of friendship, especially between us girls. And, friendships are oh so very important especially in the world in which we find ourselves today. Where would we be without our friends?

I have many acquaintances but I don't have a lot of friends. Those I do have, and you know who you are, are as true blue as the great Montana sky.  Friends, by my definition, are those people with whom I have spent quality time over the years. And, even though we have annoyed and even angered one another from time to time we love each other anyway.  Every time I look at this image I think of each of you and know that I am truly blessed.

My wish and hope that all my readers have friends just like mine.

Now, take a look at the image and see if it doesn't make you think of your FRIENDS and what it means to have one and be one.


©Kinsey Barnard

Ring-necked Duck and Chipping Sparrow

I ran into a little duck sailing on the house pond. I can't seem to identify it. At first I thought it was a goldeneye but this little guys eyes were a beautiful, bright green.  I think it might be a ring-necked duck. It clearly has a ring around it's neck and a fluffy top like this one. If it is then it isn't a guy it's a girl.

Ring-necked Duck?

I'm going with female, ring-necked duck. If anyone has a different idea please feel free to chime in.

Here she is doing a back peddle.

What was particularly interesting about this little gal was she didn't seem a bit perturbed by my presence. Normally, the ducks skeedaddle the minute they become aware of me. I'm thinking it's a response much like the deer, leading one away from the nest.  Anyway, she was a cutie pie.

I also observed a little bird that I do not recollect ever seeing here before. It was a Chipping Sparrow. For once the illustration in my bird identification was exactly like what I saw.

It was a tiny little thing feeding on dandelions in the lawn. What drew my attention to it was the chestnut cap. Had I seen that before I would have remembered.

It's always fun to add a new species to my list of observed wildlife.

The snow level last night was only a couple of hundred feet above me. We continue to have rainy cool weather.

In the "other world" the markets are in turmoil again and commodities are getting creamed. After a huge rally gold and the shares are really getting clobbered. Anyone who doesn't have any exposure to gold this may be a good time to look into it.

Those who have been buying the government propaganda that the recession is over and happy days are here again are in for a rude awakening I fear.

Dow finished the day down nearly four hundred points. Ouch!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

INTERGALACTIC-LIMITED EDITION

-
-

"INTERGALACTIC"

This photograph is a classic example of the worlds within worlds that one can find in nature and the beauty to be found in the most common things.

To my eye it looks likes a fantasmic scene from outer space when, in reality, it is nothing more than a close up shot of a river boulder. This particular boulder rests in Grave Creek, Montana.

Whitefish, Montana-Clementine Pre-Flight

The weather is finally warming up and I am starting to get the wander lust. I usually take Clementine on an outing to the Flathead just to test out all the systems cuz if anything is amiss I have to take her to the Flathead anyway. Clem certainly was raring to go, she got over 20 miles to the gallon, I love that Mercedes diesel!

When we take our check trip I always stay one night at an RV park in Whitefish. From it you can walk right into town in about fifteen, twenty minutes. For those who may not know Whitefish it is a quaint little western town that you will most likely visit if you go to Glacier National Park.

It's amazing how much snow is still on the mountains. The photo below is of what's left on Big Mountain, the local ski area. I apologize for the poles. I'm told Going to the Sun Road won't be open for another six weeks.

Big Mountain

The walk into town can be quite nice if you take Baker and walk along the Whitefish River. You can tell by the landscape that winter has been loathe to give up it's grip.

Whitefish River

 When the willows come out of hibernation they turn yellow and it looks more like fall than spring.

Whitefish River

Back at the RV park I'm having some problems getting water in the bathroom basin. Cannot for the life of me figure out what the problem is. Finally thought to take the strainer off and it was chock full of sand and grit. At first I couldn't imagine how that could have happened but then it dawned on me. I had used one of my irrigation hoses to flush the anti-freeze. I hadn't thought to flush the hose. I draw my irrigation water from one of my ponds oops!

Along the River Walk

Early next morning we took another wander down the river walk and I found this scene.


Whitefish River-Whitefish Montana by Kinsey Barnard

I was really hoping to find some wildflowers to photograph but the only flowers I found were in a window box on Central Avenue, the main drag.


Petunia-2 by Kinsey Barnard

Ok, I admit it I went a little wild with these petunia images but it was fun and I think they look kind of cool! :)


Petunia-1 by Kinsey Barnard


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Wood Ranch aka The Apple Orchard 05-09-10

Koty and I took a hike over at the Wood Ranch. Folks around here refer to it as The Apple Orchard. The ranch was an old homestead that was traded to the state some years back. It is now winter range for elk and mountain sheep. It also has, IMO, the best view you'll find of the Tobacco Valley. You will note some little ears at the bottom.

The Tobaccco Valley

They call it the Apple Orchard because the original apple trees are still standing. They are probably a hundred years old and are not in too good shape but the trees are there,  they do produced apples in the fall and the bears come for them every year.

The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. The fence is no longer standing.

The Apple Orchard

Everything that remains of the original settlers is falling away. The old cabin's roof has completely fallen in and soon all that will remain are the rock walls. I found this design in the collapsed roof that I thought was rather intriguing. It looks like some kind of face. There is also an old rusty nail and it's shadow.

The picture below is a photo of a large chunk of the old weathered wood that contains the image above. I rather find this old wood fascinating. The face is almost like a spirit in the wood.

Still not a lot of wildflowers about yet. Been too cold for things to really get underway. I realize dandelions are weeds. And, heavenly only knows I have directed a few unkind words their way for invading my lawn but I still think they are pretty little flowers.

Dandelions

And, of course, there is always Koty doing what he does best, hanging out looking good!

It was a lovely hike. Unfortunately, later in the afternoon I had to put down a sweet little white tail buck that someone ran over breaking his back. It makes me so mad. There was no need for it to happen except that the human cared for nothing but speeding mindlessly on a dirt road that you should never travel fast enough not to be able to avoid a confused creature. I'm not very happy with we humans today.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

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 
^
^

AUTUMN LEAVES

********************************************************************************

Cinco de Mayo Snow - Name That Bud

Well, imagine my surprise when I awoke to three inches of snow on the ground! That's as good as some of our winter storms. My history here is short, eight years, but it is the first time that has happened in May. It was none too warm either, in the thirties.

Cinco de Mayo Snow

But, as is normal, the snow had disappeared by mid afternoon. Koty was whirling around trying to get me out for a walk. He's still making good use of that squawk box toy I bot him. What was I thinking?

Koty is like an exercise junkie. His addiction must be fed so off we went. The first thing that caught my eye was this bud. Buds are finally starting to pop out all over and the trees are getting there leaves. I'll give the first person to accurately identify this bud five dollars. I know five dollars isn't much but I still bend over to pick up a penny!

Mystery Bud

Next we stopped off at a pond and found a couple of goldeneye chasing each other. The little girl came in just close enough so that I could get a shot, she having tired of the game. Goldeneye are really beautiful little ducks. But, as is true in most of nature the males get all the looks. :) goldeneye male

I'm beginning to think I'm stuck in a rut as I continue to be fascinated with designs and patterns in nature. I found this knot on a tree stump.

Boulders continue to provide me with endless designs. I think there must be as many designs as there are boulders and that's a lot of design work.  I have an entire gallery of natural designs.

Piedra Oro

This last photo will have to stand as my favorite of the day. Again, it's just a natural design provided absolutely without cost by Mother Nature. Gads she is a generous lady. This is a photograph of pebbles beneath a running creek. It looks like a mosaic to me.

Chica Creek

So, I give thanks for another wonderful day in this wonderful place. Remember always, dreams do come true. I am living proof.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Surveyor Lake Reflections

One of my favorite places to hunt for new and interesting images is Surveyor Lake in Kikomun Provincial Park, British Columbia. There are several small lakes at this park with Surveyor being the largest.  From the west end, looking across the lake, the Kootenay Rockies provide an awesome backdrop.

Surveyor Lake

Generally when I go to this park there are few if any humans around but there is an abundance of waterfowl and painted turtles.

The turtle below is nearly invisible as he sun's himself in a maze of driftwood and reflections. These turtles are timid little beasts and scurry back in the water at the slightest noise.

Painted Turtle

The birds on this lake are pretty skittish too and generally fly off before one can capture an image. The two geese below continued to paddle back and forth despite my presence. I suspect their nest was somewhere very close by.

Canada Geese

The thing I seem to have the best luck capturing at this little oasis are reflections. I don't know why that is but I always seem to get lucky. The image below is 100% Surveyor Lake reflection. I think the image has a unique quality about it. See if you don't agree.


Kikomun Creek Provincial Park by Kinsey Barnard


 This next image is nearly all reflection except for the branch which I think adds a little extra interest to the photograph. The rippling of the water adds seems to create a surreal effect.

Last but not least is my favorite for this shoot. This photograph is one of those that you need to step back or pull your nose away from the computer screen to get the full effect. Up close it doesn't look like much but step away and I think you'll see a whole different image.

The dead branches seem to create the illusion that the tree is floating on clouds an intriguing effect me thinks. Adding interest are the painted turtles that sun bathe on the trunk. One turtle has created ripple rings. I think this is a very cool image. I'd be very interested to know what you think?

©Kinsey Barnard Photography 

GOLDENEYE ON GOLDEN POND

Today it is with great pleasure that I introduce my latest Limited Edition "Goldeneye On Golden Pond"

LARGER VIEW

This is an extraordinarily beautiful image of a goldeneye paddling serenely along in an abstract world of reflections.

This artwork is offered as an 11 x 14 print.

The edition size is limited to 10 plus 1 Artist's Proof.
Each print signed and numbered

Price $400.00 plus s&h.

Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed.
Simply return the print within 30 days for a full refund

HOW ABOUT A NOTE CARD TO SHARE WITH A FRIEND? EVERYONE NEEDS BEAUTY IN THEIR LIFE!

Walden Goldeneye by kinseybarnard
on zazzle.com