Water Racing Moon

wild Arnica good topically but don't eat

McDonald Creek heading west 

McDonald Creek as it Exits the West end of the Lake 

Fragrant flower 

Another view of the water exiting McDonald Lake into the Creek

Rocky point trail , Griz country

a friend on the lake beach 

McDonald Lake looking East to the Continental divide 

McDonald Lake 

Upper McDonald Creek where Avalanche Creek comes in

Avalanche Creek Showing off

Avalanche Creek

yet more  showing off  with a huge gurgling hole

Trillium blooming today

This is the Water Racing Moon, It will be full in about two weeks. During this time the water that has been locked away as snow for the last 7 months is mobilizing and racing towards the Pacific. All at once it would seem. The Lakes are full , the creeks are boisterous , and to tell you the truth the creeks are showing off just a bit with their frothy foamy bubbling as the water makes it's way from the mountains. It is easy to feel the exuberance of the water as it nourishes and brings life to the plants and animals. A good day of hiking for sure . A nourishing recharge.

Memorial Day

Bleeding Hearts 

 This Memorial Day please give some time to appreciate those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Many families today will be without their loved ones. Please support these families who have lost their fathers, mothers,brothers, sisters or spouse . America is a unique place . Americans who have served to protect us are dear to our hearts. Take a few minutes this weekend to honor our fallen soldiers and sailors.

Missouri Headwaters: Happy in Montana

Bleu Horses

Last weekend took me to Billings and some good social time . On the way back I headed to Helena for a test . I took the back roads after leaving I 90 and headed north on Highway 287 .  There is a whole hillside full of metal sculptures of horses. It is really quite striking . There is more about these lively four    leggeds at distinctly montana : Bleu Horses . There are 39 steel horses designed by sculptor Jim Dolan .  This display is about 3 miles north of Three Forks.

Ever present clouds 

 I happen to enjoy the open spaces and big sky in this area. This area being pretty much all of the West but Montana in particular. I would suppose the lack of people and the endless miles of highway might make some nervous. It is a sheer delight .

Heading across the tracks to the York Island area on the Missouri

 Heading up the highway I see another sign about the Lewis and Clark route. I decide to check it out but just barely missed getting across the tracks before one of the BNSF trains came chugging north . A five minute wait and then I am up across the tracks heading for the York Island camp ground and fishing access. The York Islands are named after one of the members of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  He was referred to only "York" in the journals and was a skilled black slave who contributed much to the success of the expedition by hunting and fishing . He was also able to win the respect of the native peoples they encountered with his unusual appearance . Many of the Native American people had not ever seen an African American. He asked for his freedom upon  finishing the trip however it took 5 years for this to come about . You can read more about York's life here .

Missouri Head waters 

 There is something magnetic about water. Moving water is particularly attractive. Many folks consider the confluence of the Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison rivers at Three Forks to be the beginning of the Missouri but others argue for the Brower's Spring area that feeds the Jefferson River . An interesting topic to research with more information at the Montana FWP Missouri source article .

Train bridge across the Missouri River 

 One of the great things about Mountana in May is the greening of the pastures. I saw more than one happy cow and frolicking calf along the way . I took a 5 mile detour down a dirt road to get another close up of the river .

Happy cows

More Missouri River views 

A gorgeous valley is  tucked away by the river with the Mountains keeping close watch . Rushing rivers and a couple of osprey nests are spotted along the way . Down by the river there were snow geese winging above the beach. It was a nice drive all around.

Nearing Home on the Swan

After a 3 hour drive from Helena I reach the Swan Lake . Not too far to home now. There has been mostly sunny skies and it has been a safe trip . You can't ask for more.

Silent Thursday : Happy in Montana

Spring

Slowly ….

Western Larch Budding

 Slowly life returns to the North West Rockies. It is warm for the last two days to 70 degrees and the buds are popping everywhere. A welcome sight when the Larch return to leaf. They shed their needles in the fall and lie dormant during winter fooling many who think the trees are no longer alive.

wild strawberries

 The cherry trees are budding out as are the apples. Not to get in too much of a hurry as we had snow in late May last year . Cautiously now , very carefully venture forth.

Cherry Buds 

Apple buds 

Lawn Beauty 

 The Rocky Mountain Maples are not at all the grand trees found back east. There may be a wobbly stem that grows out of these sprouts and sprigs. However the deer really like to munch on this new growth so it is a great diversion .

Rocky Mountain Maple sprouts

Ant's eye view 

In great haste I planted the garlic last October just before our first snow. it is great to see them coming up and looking quite fit . We will see what happens at harvest. There are three heritage types: Persian, Chet's , and music . So something to look forward too in late summer .

Spring day on McDonald Lake : Happy in Montana

McDonald Lake as it pours into the Creek

 A bit of a jaunt on a sunny day to GNP , first stop Fisher Creek parking lot . The inside roads are still closed but you can hike to the creek edge and enjoy one of the nicest views of the Continental divide. McDonald creek is cold and clear . 40 degrees air temperature with the sun feels great .

fast moving ruffian

 Back around on the Going to the Sun road, I stop at the last pull out before Sprague Creek. I was contemplating how to get down the bank to the Lake when I heard hooves behind me and 5 yearling deer came flying through . Not much to do but to hold still and hope they go around . I was a bit concerned about what was chasing them. hmmm Mr Griz waking up this fine April day.

Ruffian's friend 

Down the bank and up the Lake

 After recovering from the stampede I took a stroll through the woods and checked things out . The snow is melted for the most part but the ground is still hard and frozen solid.

East end of the Lake

Up at the East end of the lake it is peaceful with just a touch of wind this afternoon. The sun more than makes up for it tho. short sleeves and a light down vest is enough for now.

Little feet take a rest 

Back down at Apgar a moments rest and time to soak in the sun. The continental divide is quite glowing in the afternoon sun.

Clear waters 

Sprague creek bubbles into the lake

 I ran into the 5 ruffians down at the McDonald Lodge . They looked quite sedate compared to their earlier race with death.

Finally we meet again , the 5 ruffians

Another satisfying Little Feet adventure . Spring Break up is on the way. Warmer days are ahead.

Snow Geese Migration at Freeze Out Lake : Happy in Montana

Izaak Walton Inn in Essex 

Hopping in the trusty vehicle we head  East on Hwy 2 towards the southern border of Glacier Park .
First destination is Essex and the Izaak Walton Inn. We are just checking things out . Here in the heart of the mountains there has been a lot of snow . 5 to 6 feet on the side of the road into the Inn. The road itself has at least 6 inches of packed ice . Up ahead are some car swallowing holes filled with slushy ice water. However I don't know they are there yet.

Essex Caboose 

The caboose is one of the places you can secure lodging if you are feeling adventurous. Remember this is March 23rd. We are grateful for the sun here. After a couple of close calls with the giant slush holes , we are back on Hwy 2 and rolling towards Browning. Just past Browning on the east side of town we dip south on Hwy 89 and head to Choteau.

Freeze Out Snow Geese 

Our destination is Freeze Out Lake just East of Choteau near Fairfield.  Freeze Out is a shallow reservoir that is on the migration route of snow geese, swans and canadian geese. There are about 40,000 snow geese on the lake today .Some estimate 300,000 migrate through in March. The sound of all these birds is amazing to hear. ( see end of blog for a video ) You have to wonder what they are saying to each other . It is an overcast day but this is not dampening their spirits .

For some great close up pictures of the snow geese check jason savage photography  . He has some nice captures of these birds as well as other wildlife .

40,000 Snow Geese 

So the birds are landing and calling to each other on the lake. Every once in a while they lift up as a group and circle the lake in a large mass . Then they settle again , more goose squawking . Despite the cold and the wind there is a vibrant energy in the air as these migrating birds land for a bit of rest .

Freeze Out Lake

Snow Geese preparing to take off 

This is a great place for these geese to rest . They have the protection of the water and fields to glean nearby . Grains for fermentation are grown in abundance in this area. Some good energy for the geese as they prepare to fly north to the tip of Canada at the Arctic Circle and the Hudson Bay.

Snow Geese 

Taking off late afternoon

Wetlands near Freeze Out Lake 

I am always amazed at the strength and determination of these migrating birds. What great faith to follow that internal programming , to fly into the evening pushing farther North . No maps, no GPS ,
 nolong range vision , just following their internal compass.

Dino in Bynum

Back on Hwy 89 we slow down in Bynum Montana. Yes that is a dinosaur. Apparently there were some prehistoric reptiles in the area many years ago with some good fossil beds to unearth these ancient terrors.  Now this nice town of 31 souls hosts the Two Medicine Dinosaur Museum where you can explore these reptiles of old. The locals need to be really hearty . For one the Dinos and two it is fairly isolated here not to mention the ever present wind found on the eastern front.

High Plains 

Driving north on Hwy 89 we are in the high plains and in view of the Eastern Rocky Mountain Front. It is windy and cold in the 20s but the sun is out and we will take that . A big decision whether to go back home by Marias Pass or south to Rogers Pass. Hard decisions. Earlier in the day there was a good snow storm on the Eastern Marias Pass to Browning . Marias Pass won out and the weather was decent considering this is the northern most crossing of the continental divide by a state highway. Of course there is a more northern crossing with the Going to the Sun road but it is deep under the 30 + feet of snow from this winter.

The Front Range 

Marias Pass with a good view of the Lewis overthrust 

One of the more interesting aspects of living in NW MT is the geology . ok I suppose the snow is a close second. Marias Pass is a great example of the Lewis Overthrust fault . A large chunk of real estate consisting of older rocks that was shoved on top of the younger rocks. In the above picture you can see the fault line despite the snow . It is the distinctive horizontal line about halfway down the mountain. At Marias Pass there is a nice presentation of the geology and exploration of the pass.

Marias Pass 

The Amtrak Empire Builder runs through this area . This makes for a nice trip. The next day driving home the neighborhood elk were hanging out in the fields with their wild eyes.

Neighbor Elk

Below is a nice 11 second video of the snow geese and all of their wonderful goose chat . Courtesy of Kathleen Speier .

This blog today is dedicated to Ana Claire who was born 5 years ago during the epic migration of the Snow Geese . Happy Birthday Ana !!  May you grow to be just as brave and strong as these beautiful birds.