have fox will travel and the Osprey too

Going into the month of September means that Fall is right around the corner and we have had a wild and crazy ride for the past few months with everything we have seen and done.
I am truly a blessed fellow as I wander around the wilds of Northwest Montana being able to observe and take in all that God has given me and continues to do so.
Back in March I started spending a couple of hours a week observing The Osprey-a nice lil couple who longed to have kids and just kick back and enjoy life.

I watched them bring fish back for breakfast,lunch & dinner.

My schedule got to the point where I would get up early and head out to capture the couple flying,eating, screaming and yes even pooping. (with all that fish it has to go somewhere).

Last year the couple tried but failed at having kids but this year they were blessed with 3 real noisy youngens (well at least one of them just had to let everything living on the planet know that it had a voice and was going to be heard-everyday-every minute of every day except sundown and even on rainy days which I observed as well that this chic had a mission).We watched the babies learn how to eat,how to sound off when danger was near and how to fly.

It was pretty exciting watching the babies grow up and take the step of learning how to fly-I was so excited to see them fly over head that I found myself being giddy like I was their parent or something.

It was way kool tho-very kool but the day came September 9th as I headed out to see the babies no longer hanging out above me as they would do as they got older-the dead tree across from their nest became my temporary home for a few hours almost everyday and as they got use to me they would land on this tree and look down at me always wondering why I hid behind the big machine that seemed to always suck my face to it and never let go.

On this day two of the three babies-one eating a fish and the other just passing gave me the impression that they were heading out-that after today we would see them no more....and I was right as their nest sits vacant except for some scavengers every now and then looking for food and I would say the amount of food they put away at each feeding would leave a big mess.

I run into their messes still to this day as it blankets the floor in some spots so becareful where you step.

August was very busy for us as we traveled not just in and around our region but we spent alot of time up in Glacier park watching,hiking and enjoying all that God has made.

Glacier is only 32 miles from where we live so needless to say there never is a dull moment when we are out shooting.

Many Glaciers presented us with bear & big horn sheep as well as scenic wonders as did the west side of the Park & with everything going on it was tough at times to take it all in & I must say this is one place you can never get tired of.

Hidden meadows and hidden lake gave us great photo ops for scenic beauty as well as those wonderful lil marmots that seemed to always be moving...just a moving like they had a chore list of a kazillion things to do but it wasn't getting done.

Hidden lake which is at Logans pass is a 3 mile round trip hike that is worth the visit and you should go early when it is open but do be adviced that if you plan on a visit to Logan Pass go in the summer and before 10:00 a.m. because you will not find any parking and all of the world has gone to logan pass on the day you visit.

Big horn sheep can be seen everywhere if you look and in some cases you really don't need to-they will find you as well as those wonderful lil marmots.

Our adventures took us out into the burns of Northwest Montana and with those trips we were able to capture the Eagles soaring high above or hanging out in the trees.

Deer can bee seen at anytime and we were able to capture some enduring moments with a mom and her young.

Our adventures even kept us busy in our own neck of the woods as we spotted a red tail fox early in August chasing two fawns and quickly disappearing into the thick of the brush.

I knew the fox would be back-it was just a matter of time and just last week I was hanging at the Osprey post just looking over the lil pond that brings refreshment to so many of the animals here and as I was just slowly panning across the pond I noticed out of the corner of my eye what I thought was a mountain lion...now not sure about you but when a mountain lion is present you want to be very aware and make yourself very big but as I looked over to a fallen tree there sat our lil red tail fox getting ready to pounce on a small mouse or something as my view was not that great but I was able to finally say-I got you!!! and as quickly as he appeared it was as quickly as he was gone as that seems to be the case when shooting(photographing) wildlife-don't spend forever on a shot-as time is not on your side.

It has been a few great months as we even were able to capture something I learned about in Oklahoma and that is the art of photographing lightning now do not run out and grab a camera & then think your going to take a picture of a thunderstorm because it just doesn't work that way-you have to research and research again because along with lightning comes the possibilities of being struck by it so nothng is worth losing your life....nothing.

ok it has been a great few months-next blog we take our adventures to the east side of Glacier for another trip to many glaciers for a great time hanging with mother nature and quality time with the Mrs.

until our next blog-keep yer nose clean and give someone a smile-they may need it.