My Week in Pictures-Montana

It was a pretty gray week here in NW Montana. This is not unusual. Sunny days, in winter in my area, are the exception. If you are a sun worshiper you would not like it here in the winter.

This icicle was exceptionally long and lovely but whilst I was trying to find a good angle to photograph it, i.e. without the eave of the house, it fell to the ground in a heap!

Throughout the winter I have been trying to capture Mother Nature's artistry in the form of icicles. Earlier in the week I published my results Icicle Series.

The snow has been so deep I have had to put on my snowshoes to take my hikes. The snowshoes were also one of the most colorful sites I saw all week. Here I am lying flat on my back looking up hill. The stuff was like walking in mashed potatoes. Koty is also looking up the trail yelling "Get up you lazy bones!"

Along the way I took this photo of some aspen trunks. I just find their skins so interesting and beautiful.

In case you can't tell, this is a photo of Koty's front paw. The reason I'm showing it to you is because I find this fascinating. Notice all the feathery fur sprouting from between his toes? This is something that only happens in winter to help insulate his pads from the snow and ice. By summer it will all be gone. I think that's so amazing.

Speaking of ice.

 

Thursday we had a reprieve from the gloom. This is a photo of "The View". I call it that because it is what I see when I look out my living room window. This landscape is ever changing and ever beautiful. No two are ever the same.

Since it was kind of sunny I took the opportunity to slide into town and run some errands. This is the main county road down to town. It isn't paved either. Around here we don't drive SUV's with four wheel drive just to look cool. If I didn't have one I'd never be able to live where I do. I also use studded tires in winter.

I love clouds and Montana has some of the best.

One of the chores I must attend to is taking my trash to the dump. No garbage service in the wilderness. I really don't mind. It's a great value and I can attend to it on my own timetable. This photo is of the Canadian Rockies (sorry for the strand of barbed wire across the bottom. I was too lazy to get out of the car). :) The reason I'm showing it to you is because even from the dump the views around here are spectacular!

Not to belabor the point but the views are spectacular even from the parking lot at the market. What you are looking at is the Galton Range and, I believe, Poorman and Kasanka Mountains.

Ho hum, just the landscape on the drive home.

Another phenom I find interesting. When it starts to warm up, which it has done in the past couple of days, these tiny insects appear on the snow. It looks like someone has sprinkled pepper all around. They just started showing up a few years ago. I don't know what they are. I call them snow fleas but they are much smaller than dog fleas. I thought this photo of them looked like a portrait of Koty.

That's all I have to report for this week. As I was writing this it started snowing so I reckon winter has quite thrown in the towel yet.

Until next time .....

©Kinsey Barnard

My Week in Pictures

This week was all about cold and snow. We had the biggest storm I've seen in the nine winters I've been here, 20 inches in around 24 hours. And, we had the lowest temperature for this winter -11. By we I mean Koty and I. But we are very fortunate to live in a micro-climate that allows us to stay 10 to 15 degrees warmer than most other places. Of course, -11 or -25, I can't tell the difference when it gets that cold.

Koty still in bed. He is not a morning person.

After the big storm the trees were just loaded with snow.

Out at Walden Pond the warm water from the spring kept the ice at bay.

Snow piled on old grass made for an interesting landscape. Kind of looked like a lunar landscape to me.

The snow was so deep Koty had to jump along to break trail. He loved every minute of it.

101 Ranch barn and fences covered in new snow.

The view from Sophie lake east to the Galtons and Mt. Baldy

Mt. Baldy. This mountain is actually in British Columbia

This shaggy, little old pony was just standing by the roadside caked in ice. It was -9 degrees. He reminded me a lot of a horse I had when I was a kid, his name was Pancho. I know animals are designed to tolerate the cold but it still makes me sad to see them out in it. The truth is even if they have access to a barn most of them prefer to be out.

Just an old snow covered truck I came across. When I took this little tour of the valley after the storm I stayed in the car and shot through the car window most of the time at -7 to -10 it's colder than I like and I can't hardly work the controls on my camera.

Along with the pot load of snow we also  has some wind. I didn't get that much at my place but other place got quite a bit. This is what the snow along the roadside looked like after the wind sculpted it. I really find these natural designs beautiful.

Just another moonset. I took this through my living room window. Too cold for me out there!

No telling what Mother Nature has in store for us next week. But, it will be interesting no doubt. Spring breakup could really be a very messy business this year. I read in the local paper,  published once a week, all the watersheds are above normal for snow and some close to 150% above normal. If we get a sudden period of high temperatures this spring there will be flooding and ice jams galore, no doubt about it.


©Kinsey Barnard

2-17-2011

Snowed another 3-4 inches overnight. We now are back to looking like the dead of winter. Had to plow again. Afternoon sun. High 35.

Neighbors stopped to chat as I was down at the gate plowing. Sadly, they reported that more people we know have been forced to leave the valley because there is no work here. Other sad news. A mountain lion was treed and shot because she was on the Kootenai Trail where people like to walk. Neither man nor beast is making out too well around these parts. Hard times all around it seems.

Koty and I hiked in the forest for a couple of hours. It was so beautiful with all the fresh snow. Saw some wolf and wildcat tracks. We followed the wildcat for quite a way. It's silly I know but it always pulls at my heart strings when I see small cat tracks in the snow. They seem so small compared to their world. I guess it's the same with us. We just leave much bigger tracks.



Looks like winter is fixing to stick around awhile longer.

©Kinsey Barnard

2-16-2011

Mother Nature finally made up her mind and decided to go with snow. We got about and inch and a half over night, enough to shovel and plow. The temperature is mild at 38 so I don't reckon this will stay with us for long.

The pre-dawn landscape was just gorgeous. I guess it was the snow that gave it the blue glow. Whatever it was so pretty. This was taken at a very slow speed, 1/2 of a second.

Plowing was a bit of a challenge. The ground is a little bit soft and I managed to gouge a huge divit out of my driveway. I think there's something not right with that plow. It flops around like a landed fish. Need to get someone to take a look at it before I take it off. Hope to heck I remember. I get so anxious to get the damned thing off I'll probably forget ..... again!

My pal Mona came to call and we had a great time catching up and brainstorming. I need to decide what pieces I am going to show at the Bigfork Museum in May. I have just an awful time choosing.

Koty is really bent out of shape now. Whilst Mona and I were visiting he drug out his toys, tore open some tummies and scattered stuffing all around the house in a valiant effort to get some attention, all to no avail. I WILL take him for a good long hike tomorrow come hell or high water!

©Kinsey Barnard

Mule Deer, Koty Bear & Doe Eyes

Well, goody goody gum drops! We are finally starting to have a respite from the snow and a bit of a thaw. This will be my ninth winter up on this mountain and this is the harshest fall since I moved here. My father used to say that when winter started early the overall winter kinda petered out. We'll see how well that works.

Koty Bear loves winter the more snow and cold the better. He literally whines to be let out when we go subzero. Below is a photo of him dashing through the snow.

Koty Bear Loping Through The Snow

For winter sports Koty and the mule deer like to play a bluff-charge game. Koty, being true to his nature is unreliable off lead so he must always be either on a leash or in an enclosure. He has a tether that allows him to go in and out of the house, go out on the lawn to take care of business and lounge on the deck. When the mule deer return for the winter they soon take up where they left off. The deer know just how close they can get to Koty without him being able to reach them. The deer will approach to just within Koty's reach and dare him to come after them. Koty will try and fake them out by hanging back hoping to draw them into his range. It's really quite the cat and mouse game and a lot of fun to watch.

Koty Bear And Mule Deer Playmates

I have been spending a lot of time with my deer. They are a wonderful diversion. I can sit out in the snow and watch them by the hour. And, of course, I cannot resist taking a few photos. I just love the mule deer. They are so gentle and serene, not at all like the whitetail. They are a life lesson for me. They also have very cute butts.

Mule Deer Behind

You will notice the black tip on her tail. Although, everyone around here calls them mule deer or mulies they are also referred to as blacktail deer.

There is one old doe that has been coming to keep me company for several years now. I call her "Doe Eyes". This doe has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen on a mulie or any dear. For the most part mulie eyes are solid brown and although big and beautiful there is not a lot of texture to them. But, Doe Eyes is in a league of her own.

Doe Eyes

Her eyes are very large and instead of being a solid brown they are more like a horse's eyes that have variation and texture. They are just stunning.

Doe Eyes

There is something elses very unusual about her eyes. They are set quite a bit more forward than is common. I don't know if you know or not but you can tell if an animal is a predator or a prey animal by the set of the eyes. Predators like mountain lions, and wolves have eyes set up front whilst prey animals like deer and elk have eyes set on the sides given them greater peripheral vision. Also note where your own eyes are located.

I'm hoping before this winter is done that I can get a closeup up just of her eye so that you can see how truly beautiful they are.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Icicles

Not a lot new to report. Still shoveling and plowing altough the forecast is currently showing a little respite from the snow and some sunny days ahead. Sun is at a premium in this part of the country in winter. It's funny when I lived in Druango I got bored with all the sunny cloudless days. Here I really look forward to them in the winter.

It has been warmer, in the high twenties and thirties. High enough to start the snow to melting. My fascination this week was as a result of that melting. Icicles have formed along the roof line creating, at least for me, the most extraordinaly nature sculptures. Below are some of my favorites.













©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Andre Agassi - Time for Studs

Well another of my heroes bites the dust. Andre Agassi apparently admits in his new autobiography that he used crystal meth. Andre Agassi. I just loved that kid!

I'm really conflicted about the "truth". On the one hand, truth and honesty are a good thing; on the other it leaves no room for heroes. Looking back it seems as though almost all those I admired, both historically and in my lifetime, had feet of clay. In fact, as I look back it seems most of the things I believed in were manufactured baloney.

Snowed most of the morning.

White Tail Sitting Out the Storm

Normally I don't get my studded snow tires put on until the middle of November but after looking at the Weather Channel forecast I decided discretion was the better part of valor. I've got a nasty patch of road I must traverse and it can get pretty ugly real fast.

Koty had to stay home and he is never very pleased about that. Poor kid. Hunting season began this past weekend and he is very gun shy and doesn't really feel safe even in the house. Ironically, what he likes to do is get in his crate in the car. There didn't seem to be the normal numbers of hunters out and about so that helps.

The sun came out later in the afternoon and Koty and I took a walk in our sanctuary. It was really quite beautiful.

A Little Sunshine

©Kinsey Barnard

SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES IS ALWAYS A WILDCARD!

Well, h-o-w-d-y! We sure didn't miss winter altogether. Snowed all day Saturday and was 17 Monday morning. Koty, thinks it's just great! I surely do wonder how people live in these RV's in the winter, in this climate. As far as insulation goes they are not much better than a tent. The propane bills must be eye poppers. I do notice a lot more people taking up full time residence in these RV parks. I reckon you can buy a used 5th wheel for next to nothing and rent, in this park, for example is $500/mo plus your propane. Fairly, reasonable.


HIGH RES IMAGE

Sunday, on the other hand, was just beautiful. It was sunny and with the new fallen snow simply gorgeous. We couldn't wait to jump in Shadow and check it out. The above photo was taken from Mancos looking back at Mesa Verde.

HIGH RES IMAGE

This image is of the Mancos Valley. I don't know about you but I just think this landscape is stunning. At this time of year the snow doesn't last very long so one has to go get it whilst the getting is good.

HIGH RES IMAGE

From Mancos we took the road heading north to Dolores and found Summit Lake. A small but very picturesque lake as you can see in the above.

HIGH RES IMAGE

Along that same road we found this red barn. I love to take photos of barns. This one, in the snow, seemed particularly handsome.

Monday we skeedaddled over to Durango to see our CPA. We lived in Durango at one time and found Margaret whilst there. We couldn't bear to lose her. Besides, what a good excuse to return. We still really enjoy the place a lot.

HIGH RES IMAGE

On the way over to Durango I spied this beaver lodge out the corner of my eye. At first I just thought it was a lodge but then when I put my telephoto on it I saw, to my surprise, a Canada Goose sitting on top! If you look close you can just make it out. When we returned later that afternoon she was still sitting there. Maybe she decided to take a room at the lodge?


HIGH RES IMAGE


After our meeting we took a stroll along the Animas River. It brought back many memories as we used to take this walk at least once a week when we lived there. The town has built a really nice blacktop path that everyone can enjoy. The Animas, along this section is a catch and release Gold Medal River. We saw several fly fisherman plying their art. It is truly an elegant sport. We also saw this mallard couple sun bathing in the middle of the river. It was truly a magnificent afternoon.


It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the weather can change in the mountains and we've certainly seen that demonstrated in spades lately. There is a saying, in the Rockies "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes." I don't care what Rocky mountain town your in, from Colorado to Montana, you'll here that saying. And, everyone one thinks they invented it. :)

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

PS: I frequently get complaints about people having trouble signing up for e-mail notification. I maintain my own notification list to be sure people who want it get notified. If you would like to be on that list please send your e-mail address to kotybear2002@msn.com

PPS: If you choose to view the high res image you can put your cursor in the right hand corner and blow the image up to nearly original size.

I Love My Mom But .......

This is getting to be too much! I am getting RV fever! It hasn't stopped raining for a second. The rain beating down on Clementine's roof makes it sound like living in a popcorn popper! And, it never stops popping!

Where is my snow?! I miss my snow!!! It's so beautiful and SILENT!

We tried to get some walking in yesterday. We went down to Old Town and walked along the harbor there. I wind gust came up and blew me right off the sidewalk!

The only walking I'm getting now is to take care of business. This is not my idea of fun!

Well, I could complain all day about being trapped in this RV with my mom but that won't help anything so I'll be checking back in here as soon as the weather breaks and that may not b e for another couple of days.