Yellowstone - Undine Falls & Landscapes

As many of my friends already know I sprained my ankle back in Bozeman on the Cottonwood Trail. What a bummer. But, have limped along all the way over to the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park at Gardiner, Montana.

Got in around noon and good thing I did too because everything around here is booked solid. Got one of the last RV sites at Rocky Mountain RV. We are at the end of the line at the back of the lot but we are grateful to have that!

Set ourselves up and headed out to the park. Didn't have a lot of time but I snagged a couple of images. It was an awesome afternoon/evening!

The rest of the images are just some random shots I took.

The above photo was actually taken on the road into Gardiner. What you see is the Gallatin Range and the Yellowstone River. It isn't called Paradise Valley for nothing!

Yarrow and Sage

Undine Falls

Fall colors are starting to show and they really paint the landscape.

Clouds and sky were doing there thing!

We just keep hobbling along hoping to find that next slice of heaven!

©Kinsey Barnard Photogrpahy

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

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

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

SPRING HAS SPRUNG & SUNDAY FALLS.

At last! Spring is in the air. This has been the coldest spring since I have lived here and it's great to finally be able to bask in the warm sun.

The biggest news is that I have had a Canada Goose pair nest and produce six little goslings on my larger pond. I have no photos of them because I haven't taken any. I haven't taken any because this pond, built in the center of my forty acre parcel, away from the house and any distraction, is especially for my wild visitors. It is meant to be a safe haven and sanctuary. To photograph them feels like an invasion of their privacy and I must respect my guest's privacy. But, I can tell you, it is a site to behold as they paddle the pond. The photo below is of a family riding the Tobacco River.

CANADA GEESE AND GOSLING


I have also spied another new resident Timothy Turtle. I hope he has a partner or he may not stay for long.

Mostly the week was about ranch chores. That wonderful sun makes the grass, and everything else, grow. But, we took yesterday off and went down to Sunday Falls. I have tried to photograph these falls before with little luck and I'm afraid I had much the same outcome this day.

SUNDAY FALLS, MONTANA

For some reason I just can't seem to capture anything special at these falls. I suppose the main reason is, short of standing in the creek, it's tough to take a stand. The falls were really barreling so standing would have been very difficult.

SUNDAY FALLS, MONTANA

Naturally, where there is a Sunday Falls, there might just be a Sunday Creek. And so there is. I have a favorite spot where I like to try and photograph the creek but there was a old motorhome parked in the spot so I was not able to get in there. With these tough times more and more people are living in the forest and this looked to be the case. Not a bad placed to live really. But, you will get rousted by the Forest Service every 14 days.

SUNDAY CREEK, MONTANA

After fiddling around the falls I decided to continue up the Forest Service Road on foot. I had promised Koty a walk and I was wondering if we could find Fire Lake. Poor Koty, when I'm busy working around the ranch he doesn't get enough exercise. After working several hours I just don't have the umpah to hike a few more!

It was an extraordinarily beautiful day for a walk in the forest. We soon came to a fork in the road. I didn't know which one to take. One thing you can count on in the National Forest, they'll give you one sign that will intrigue you and never another to get you there. I chose to take the road to the right. After awhile a small pickup with a canoe in the back pulled along side. They looked like they were on their way to a lake so I stopped them. It turned out the first Fire Lake was not far. The next lake was five miles further. They were on their way to the upper lake.

FIRE LAKE, MONTANA

Fire Lake isn't a particularly pretty lake and it's fairly small as well. There were two people trying their hand at fishing but I don't think they had had much success. I didn't have another five miles in me so we headed back down the road.

UNDERWATER GARDEN AT FIRE LAKE

I don't know what these plants are. They look like a lily pad except that they are red. Maybe lily pads growing underwater are red? I dunno.

It turned out to be not much of a day for photography, either that or I was off my game. But, any day spent in the woods of Montana is a day well spent. I live in the woods but I love to explore new places. I never know when I will stumble on that special opportunity to capture something truly unique and beautiful. Something I can share that people would never get to see any other way. That lights my candle. We'll come back and look for the other Fire Lake another day.

©Kinsey Barnard

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's Back to Alberta We Go! Part 1

Well, off we went like a herd of turtles. You may recall we were up there a couple of weeks ago and had to return early on account of I was off my feed. So, we packed up Clementine, hooked up Shadow and back to Crowsnest Pass we went. We ended up at an RV park in Blairmore called the Lost Lemon. Wow! Was it a lemon. Worst RV park we ever stayed at. People were so crammed into this place the awning of one unit touched another. Usually, I like to park myself outside while mom does her work but not here. I couldn't get in Clem fast enough. Mom needs electricity for all her equipment and there are not a lot of choices in this area. If you can live with just electricity we later found a really nice provincial park at Lundbreck.



Not only is the park way nicer but get a load of these falls! They are called the Lundbreck Falls and are on the Crowsnest River.



Back to mom's favorite old saw about clouds and silver linings, the wildflowers this go around were really great. They were all over the place. This particular bloom we found on Miner's Path just up the road in Coleman. It's a nice little path that ends at a small waterfall. You can see more of the wildflowers we saw at mom's Simply Photos Blog




We did a whole lot of driving around this trip mostly because mom kept missing turns an getting lost but the thing about it is we learned a lot. You can really find stuff when you're lost! For instance, Albertans have a great sense of humor as can be seen from this ranch sign. And, let me tell you, they had some beautiful asses out in the pasture! I woulda chased anyone of them!



And, at least here in southern Alberta, Montanans have a whole lot in common with Albertans. It's the same western flavor. This is truly cattle country. And, awesomely beautiful. Mom really loves it! Course, when mom was a little girl she dreamed of being Annie Oakley while other little girls dreamed of Barbie. Don't tell her I said so but I think she turned out more like Calamity Jane! :)

Stay tuned for part two. Mom finally finds Chinook Lake and Old Man River. No kidding, it's really called Old Man River!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Houston We Have Lift Off!

It's not for nothing the favorite refrain around here is "If you don't like the weather just hold your horses and wait a few minutes". Last Wednesday it snowed all day! Now we have sunny skies and 75 degrees. It must be for real this time cuz the wildflowers are starting to bloom! But, the farmers are complaining cuz their grass ain't been growing. Looks like we are just going to skip spring altogether this year and just go for summer! BUY or just get a better look



The little critters are starting to come out in force, like this tiny chipmunk we saw on one of our hikes through the woods. BUY or just get a better look



In the little village of Eureka we have this place called the Historical Village. There all kinds of historical displays, old buildings, cabins, equipment etc. Mom has a particular fascination for this old rail car. There isn't much rail traffic anymore since the logging business has gone the way of the Dodo bird. Mostly just lumber from Canada headed south. BUY or just get a better look.


On another hike we stumbled on this little pond with a waterfall coming down into it. The water in this pond was so green it was amazing. I don't know what causes that but it sure is pretty. Oh, gotta tell you a funny story. On this particular hike mom found a big blue/green egg in the trail. She thought it might be a grouse egg. Whatever it was it was really pretty. It was cold as a stone so there wasn't going to be any birdy from that one. Anyway, mom put the thing in her breast pocket and no sooner did she do that then it started to rain. In order to protect her camera she slung it across her chest and under her arm. In doing so she smashed the egg. She's still trying to get the smell off the camera! Every time she puts the camera to her face to take a photo she gets a good whiff! LOL! BUY or just get a better look



Last but by no means least we snuck back into British Columbia and Kikomun Park. Spring was in the air here too. Lotsa of life in the lakes, there are about a half dozen of them. This photo is of a female mallard preening herself. The logs in the water were just covered with painted turtles and we saw loads ducks and ducklings. We still think this is an exceptionally nice park. If you're ever up this way and looking for a place to camp this park is a winner!

That was our week! Hope yours was a winner too!

©Kinsey Barnard

COUNTRY ROADS TAKE ME HOME

At last we are headed home! Mom is driving me nuts though because she cannot stop singing Country Roads and you outta hear her try and carry a tune! John Denver would have a heart attack. But, it's ok because my mountain mama is taking me home.

First I want to say how much we enjoyed our time in Florence and appreciate the new friends that we made. There was Paulie at the Pacific Pines RV park. If you are RV'ing through Florence, I highly recommend this park. It's like a home away from home for us now. Thank you Paulie!

Then there were Glen & Keith at the Dunham RV Service Center. These two guys were princes to work with and treated my mom really well and did great work. Believe me some of these RV places treat people like last weeks lunch. Thank you guys!

And a great big thanks to Virgie, Bill and Patrick at the Bill Roberts sign shop. They were the ones that did the sign work on Clementine and Shadow and made me look so handsome. Well, really they had a lot to work with! :)

And, last but certainly not least thank you to my friend Buddy. The little runt is a weenie dog and he bit me! Can you imagine? :) And a VERY special thanks to Buddy's mother Marilyn who drove us all over the place. It's that "blowing the coat" time of year and I left an incredible deposit of hair in the back of her SUV. She was extremely gracious about it! You don't know what shedding is until you see a husky blow its coat!

We left Florence a little late in the day and only got as far as The Locks along the Columbia River. We are headed for Spokane where we will wait for good weather and clear roads. Since our ranch is at nearly 4,000 ft. we may not be able to get all the way home. But, I don't care. We are headed in the right direction!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Oregon Dunes, Lake Creek Falls, Fish Ladders

Friday we headed south on 101 to The Oregon Dunes day use place. It's just past mile marker 200 about 15 miles south of Florence. There's a nice overlook there and if you like to walk in the dunes where a lot of other people haven't trekked through them, this is a good place. The only tracks we saw were animals tracks.

If you take the trail south south you will hit Tahkenitch Creek. It's a well marked trail if you keep an eye out for the posts. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and rainy and not very good for photography but I had a good time running on the dunes!

Saturday we piled into Marilyn's car and headed for Triangle Lake. To get there we followed 36 out of Mapleton along Lake Creek. Just before you get to Triangle Lake there is this place called Lake Creek Falls where they have ladders for the salmon. I didn't know fish climbed ladders! Anywayz, I bet when the salmon are running this is a good place to go and watch. What I wouldn't give to be able to get out there and catch them. Yum! Salmon sushi. Fat chance though, moms been told raw salmon isn't good for me. :(

We made the loop back to Hwy 126 and that was that.

Mom's getting kinda cranky as she hasn't found much in the way of photo ops lately, what with the rain and all. It was sunny yesterday and it looks like it will be sunny again today so maybe she'll find something good today.

© Kinsey Barnard Photography

Sunwapta Falls, Buck, Osprey & Wabasso Lakes

September 12, 2007

Mom spent a couple of hours processing photos. This delayed the start of my day. You would not believe how much of my day she wastes on this activity. The plan was to go down 93A again check in at Athabasca Falls and head on down to Sunwapta Falls. After that, look for new hiking trails to explore.

Over night a storm had blown through. It was a doozie, the rivers and falls were all murky from the run off. We passed, again, on Athabasca and went on down to Sunwapta. Athabasca was crowded with tourists. At Sunwapta mom got out the old tripod.



There is a trail that takes off after the bridge over the falls. We took that for about an hour just to enjoy the sub-alpine forest. Mom loves to photograph the plants and stuff on the forest floor so it takes us forever to get anywhere.

After the Sunwapta walk we headed back north on the Icefields Parkway, aka 93. Our first stop was at the trail to Buck and Osprey Lakes. Wasn’t much of a hike and neither were the lakes was particularly pretty or interesting. But, I'll take my trail time anyway I can get it.

Back on the parkway we continued north to the Wabasso Lake trail. This was a nice little trail. It took about 40 minutes to get to Wabasso Lake, which wasn’t particularly special, but the trail was pretty and I’d do it again, like, there's any trail I wouldn't do again! If you start early enough you can take this trail all the way up to The Valley of the Five Lakes, which as I mentioned before is really pretty.

By now it was nearly five so we headed for the barn and a barbecue. Eat your hearts out my brethren. I got my own plate of BBQ'd chicken!

Until next time ....
LAKOTA SUNRISE

©Kinsey Barnard