Hiking In The Kootenai Forest

We got up early this morning and headed out into the Kootenai Forest. There really isn't much to say except that it was a beautiful Montana morning and we greatly enjoyed ourselves.

Kinsey took photos of things that caught her eye and I basically made a nuisance of myself lunging after squirrels.  Below are some of the things Kinsey saw.

The sun rising over the Kootenai

Wild daisy

Indian Paint Brush

My adorable self

A beautiful day in the Kootenai Forest

Pictures can say it better.

Ciao for now
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

Sophie Lake - Swisher/Gateway Boat Camp Trail

Friday July 15, 2011

Today I decided to head on over to Swisher Lake Trail. On the way over I could reisit taking a photo of this hayrake. I was intrigued by the color and design. Funny how something as mundane as a piece of farm equipment can present you with such pleasant eye candy.

Hayrake

It's amazing to me how all the water has so completely changed the landscape. I drove right by Carpenter Lake and didn't even realize I had. I didn't recognize the turn because everything looked so different with all the vegetation growth.

I sure didin't miss Sophie Lake. The lake is so high it touches the road. Normally, it's about 75 feet to the water.

Sophie Lake, Montana

The water was so high the picnic tables were pretty much underwater.

Sophie Lake Picnic Area

Swisher Lake

Swisher is a fairly nondescript little lake. It is where the Gateway Boat Camp Trail begins. It's about 6.5 miles to the boat camp which is right on the Canadain Border. The boat camp is on the Koocanusa. My walk was fairly uneventful and I never reached the boat camp. I got way about halfway I veered off the trail and was drawn down to the lake shore. Really amazing how high the water is. The local paper says the lake is 18 ft. below full pool. They had better hope it doesn't hit full pool. There is still so much water flowing out of the mountains I would be surprised if we hit it. In addition to all the snow melting we have been having gully washer downpours in the afternoons.

Without further adieu I am just going to throw up some photos of some of the things that I saw.

Lake Koocanusa looking north into British Columbia

Looking west across Lake Koocanusa at the West Kootenai and Robinson Mountain, Monatana

Some of the driftwood that has washed ashore.

Fleabane

Thistle

Thistle Bud

©Kinsey Barnard

West Kootenai Wildflowers - Mt. Web Lookout - Blue Heron Medicine

Friday July 1, 2011

A very unusual thing happened this morning. I was loading up Shadow to go for a hike and when I went out with a load of equipment a Great Blue Heron rose up in flight from a Spruce. I dropped everything and tried to get a shot of it. I didn't get much but I wanted to have some record of it in any event. I consulted my medicine cards to see what the significance of the heron might be but, as I was afraid, there was no information on the heron. A quick Google Search and I had my answer Blue Heron Medicine. I continuously marvel at the fact that most believers in the significance of animal medicine must draw cards to receive guidance and I am blessed to have the actual animals appear to me.

Great Blue Heron in the Trees

I had need of another good hike so I decided to go over to the West Kootenai and take the Web Mt. Trail. If you go far enough you will reach the Web Mt. Lookout. You can drive to it but there is a trail too and it's really an aerobic workout.

Blue Lupine

The mountains are just now starting to get covered with wildflower color and blue lupine are one of the most prevalent wildflowers in the Kootenai National Forest along with Indian Paintbrush.

Young Indian Paintbrush blooms before they turn vibrant red

I am utterly amazed at what lousy shape I am in. The long winter and cold, wet spring has set me back just like it has everything else in nature. Usually, by this time, I am climbing up mountain trails like a mad woman. Today I was huffing and puffing like a slacker. Before I got to the first crest, about an hour nearly straight up, my thighs were burning like fire.

Indian Paintbrush in bright red bloom

After a small rest I decided not to go further because I was actually concerned my legs would give out on me on the way back down and on that steep trail I could cook my goose pretty damned quick. What a freaking wuss. I am very disappointed with myself. I can't believe I've let myself get in such shitty shape.

Beautiful rock formation with Mullien and some other yellow flower perhaps some kind of Yarrow

Well, I got a workout that's for sure. And, I got a wake up call on my physical fitness level. I think I shall make it my goal to get up to the Lookout before the snow flies. Koty is so maddening. In dog years he's around 80 years old and he flies up the trail like a spring chicken. Boo Hiss!

©Kinsey Barnard

Kootenai National Forest - Montana

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Yesterday Koty and I took a good long hike up the Blacktail Trail. The wild flowers this year are the best I have ever seen here. It must be the cool weather and lots of moisture.

Bluebell and Lichen

Clover

Indian Paintbrush

Happy Fourth of July From Dancing Deer

We've been at the ranch all week working on several projects long over due. It's been colder than a well digger's behind this past week but gads it is beautiful. Along with the cool has come lovely rains and the grass is greener and more lush than I have ever seen it. The wildlife against this backdrop is beyond beautiful. Yesterday I had so many bucks passing through it was just amazing. The bucks are still in velvet and they are a ways away from full racks but there are going to be some beauties.

One of the things the deer come for is the clover, deer love it.  Clover grows everywhere around here and of course I have salted the place as well. When clover blooms it makes a very pretty flower.

Then there was the robin that took up residence on top of my outside sun screens. Lucky for me it's been too cool to need them because I would certainly have been out of luck! It won't be long now as the babies are now thriving and growing like weeds. And, just in time too as I think the warm weather may be just around the corner.

The little female grouse below was just posing on this rock for me. Grouse are really funny birds. I often joke that you don't need a gun to hunt them. You could just as easily get one tossing a stone and save your ammunition. Of course, I wouldn't do either unless I was starving.

Speaking of wildlife this year a little cinnamon black bear has taken up residence in the area and comes to visit a least once a week. I have named her Cindi after my oldest and dearest friend. I don't really know if it's a female or not but "she" is quite small. I reckon she is either one or two. Anyway she came to call yesterday and got up in a plum tree and was looking awfully cute. I don't know why she was up there except just for the fun of it because there is no fruit this time of year.

One of my most favorite wild flowers is the wood lily. Normally, these beauties bloom in June but I guess that the cooler than normal weather has kept them back as they are just starting to bloom now. In this photo you can see the raindrops on the petals.

This last, I'm not sure if it's a wildflower or a weed. It's growing in my meadow and whatever it is it is very pretty.

So, that's what it was like this week at Dancing Deer.

Koty and I wish you all a great Fourth of July!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Montana Wildflowers in June

I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger. The weather has finally gone straight to summer and everyone is busy as bees.

Over the this past month I have taken several nice photographs of the various wildflowers that I have observed and thought I would just share them with you without a lot of fan fare. So, here they are......

Blue Flax

  

Wild Sunflower

Yellow Salsify 

Pasque Flower

Forget Me Not

Lupine

Shooting Star

Pasque Flower

So, there you have just some of the lovely wildflowers that filled my world this June. Ah, Montana. It's like living in a never ending flower garden tended, just for, me by Mother Nature.

Check out Kinsey's new blog The Liberated Photographer.



©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