Busy Summer!

 Summer is always a busy time for me photographically, but this year has been the busiest yet. Photo shoots almost every single weekend, from May 1st through October 5th! Sure, a few of them are for me, but mostly there are a lot of horse shows, and the usual stock dog trials.

There are a few new events however, the annual Pet Run at the Big Sky Horse Park, which ended up not being very lucrative, but it was fun and I did make a few sales. There was also an unexpected but serendipitous event at the annual AKC dog show in June. Initially I was going to set up a booth to do dog portraits, but then found out that there was going to be a Fast Cat test, and asked my contact at the kennel club if I could do that instead. Her response was that she would have to check with the show committee. Ok, if not I had to photo booth as a backup. 

There were several emails back and forth between members of the committee, of which I was included in, but not a single confirmation or denial for photos at Fast Cat. In the meantime, I was contacted by a woman, who I am assuming was also on the show committee, who emailed me privately and said there would be dock diving dogs too, and they really needed a photographer. Say whaaat??  Dock diving?? I am SO in! 

Then she called me a few days later and said she was told that the dock diving folks contract the photographers and that they require ownership of all of the photos. Ok, that would be a deal breaker. We discussed it for a bit and then I said I would call them and check it out. She gave me their number and I called.

The woman who ran the dock diving said I was misinformed. They do not contract photographers, they use local photographers, I own all rights to the photos and I can sell them as I want. They only ask photos to use for promotional flyers and advertising. I told her I would be there.
 

Summer's Over!

Last horse show of the summer is in the books (ok, so it's Fall...). Four days of Working Equitation with some beautiful horses and amazing riders. Today is a holiday, and I took a vacation day tomorrow, because I'm going to need two days to recover!!  

Cirque Ma'Ceo

First day of Cirque Ma’Ceo, and I’m excited to be shooting photos for them!  I hope I can get some good ones. It will definitely be tough, because the tracking on their spotlights isn't working so they won't be able to follow the performers around the ring. But I have a new and faster lens that hopefully will help, and I'm going in early today while they're setting up the "big top", so I can get in some practice shots inside. 

Can't wait to get started! 

Day Two at the Bison Range

I had set my alarm for 5:00 this morning, but woke up 4:30 (that’s what I get for going to bed so early last night). I got up and peeked out the back door - still dark out. I went back to bed and lay there, not really thinking about anything in particular, and trying to go back to sleep for a little bit, but of course I couldn’t. I do have to say that this bed is probably the most comfortable one I’ve ever slept in!

Once it started getting light out - within half an hour or so - I got up and got dressed, grabbed my camera gear and cooler and headed out the door. I hit the back road to the range and got there at 5:45. The gates were wide open, even though the sign says they open at 6:00, so I drove right on in. I hit the bathroom in the picnic area and headed up over the mountain.

I had run into a couple of young ladies yesterday, who said they had seen a bear with two cubs, just as they headed up the mountain road. One of them was there for the first time, and got video of the cubs, running and chasing each other. She said she was live on Face Book with it! Damn beginner’s luck. I looked like crazy but never saw them. 

As I topped the hill at the river overlook, there were five or six Mulie bucks on the road, and they walked down the road ahead of me for a few yards and then headed down the side of the hill. I stopped to see if I could get photos of them down the hill, but they were nowhere to be seen.

No badger this morning, but the bison bulls were still at Elk Lane, and at least I saw a few Pronghorn today, but not much else. As I got to the end of the road, I made a quick decision to go over the mountain again. Still nothing. I stopped at the picnic area and had some lunch, then headed back to the lodge.

On the way back I turned off onto the levee at Ninepipes Reservoir. Not much at all in the way of birds, and absolutely no shorebirds; the water is too high, and edges out on the rocks - no mud flats for the wading birds. I did however, manage several shots of a Red-necked Grebe, and a couple of them are even in focus! Further down the levee I spotted a Western Grebe and got some photos of it as well, including a few that are sharp enough to see those bright red eyes!

Back at the lodge I opened up the back door to let in some fresh air and to listen to the birds, and sat down to upload the photos onto my laptop. Before long I heard some commotion outside my back door, and got up to take a look. A guy was setting up a loudspeaker right off my patio, and I stepped out to ask him what was going on. Apparently there was going to be a wedding at 2:00. Great….   I asked him if he was going to be blasting music right outside my room, but he said no, it was just going to be a little music before the wedding, and if it bothered me I could tell him and he would move. There were kids racing around screaming, people talking and laughing - quite loudly - and some woman with a cackling witch’s voice, screeching - ok, laughing - but it sounded like screeching, over and over and over again. OMG, this is what I try to get away from! I closed the door and turned the a/c on high, but it didn’t manage to drown out the noise - enough.  So I shut down my computer, put away my camera gear, locked the back door and closed the drapes, and headed next door to the museum - thankfully they were open.  

If you happen to be up that way, check out this little museum. The cost is $6 for adults, not sure of a kids' rate. Lots of local history of the Salish tribe, and the early settlers to the area. Pretty interesting stuff, and a nice break if, you've been on the road all day. They offer guided tours, which are very informative, or you have to option of a self-guided audio tour. I've done both; it's just personal choice. 

After an hour and a half of wandering through the many displays, I went back to my room. The reception had moved into the private dining room, but there were still lots of people outside, and being too noisy for my liking. So I loaded up and headed back to the Bison Range. Only took the short road this evening, as it was already almost 6:00, and I knew I would probably not be off the mountain road before 9:00, and did not want to get locked in!

The short road was a good choice this evening however, and I rounded a bend in the road just before the corrals, and found a herd of around 30 elk, grazing in the field just above the river! Mostly cows, but a few young bulls as well, and got some great shots! 

 

Free Weekend Road Trip

Dropped the dog at the kennel last night, and took off at 0'dark:30 and headed out of town. Because I could not check in until 2:00, I spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon at the Bison Range. There had been reports of a couple of bears with cubs that have been seen on a regular basis, but it was not in the cards for me today.

Pauling Creek

My first photos were of Pauline Creek, a favorite spot for bears year round, but mostly in the fall, when the many chokecherry and service berry bushes provide hoards of berries for the bears to fatten up on for winter. Unfortunately I saw no bears.

American Badger

I did however, cross paths with a young badger!  She came out of the grass just as I rounded a bend in the road, but scurried back into the grass when she saw me. I stopped the car and shut off the engine, so as not to spook her, and sure enough, she came back out. She stood and stared at me for a few minutes before deciding it was safe to cross. Looking at her much closer in the photos, it was evident that she had kits somewhere. I sure wish she would have had them with her!

Bison Bull

Not much else out this morning, but as the road continued upward toward the top of the mountain, there were several very large and impressive bull bison, grazing alongside the road. I drove very slowly, passing most of them, but had to stop and wait for one large bull to decide he needed - or wanted - to get out of my way. He was facing away from me and at one point turned his head back to me as if to say, "What?"  I respected his space and waited for him to bide his time and slowly move off the road.
 

Chipmunk

Almost to the top of the drive I noticed a tiny chipmunk, feasting on dandelion seeds, and spent probably around 20 minutes just photographing it. Don't laugh, chipmunks are wildlife too!

Where the Forest turns to Prairie

Just past the the trees where the bison and chipmunk were feeding, there is a small swale with just a few pine trees, where the terrain begins to change from woodland to prairie. I don't know why, but this particular spot is one of my favorites, and I finally captured it in just the right light.

Going down the other side, there is a steep grade for about 100 yards. Use the lowest gear you have and don't ride your brakes!  Pumping them slowly keeps your car at a good pace for this hill.  You'll also see a sign that reads; "Lake Missoula at its highest point". Lake Missoula is an entirely different post. Stay tuned.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Teasel

The downhill side of the mountain road is a series of switchbacks, where you can see numerous wildflowers, dominated again by the Arrowleaf Balsamroot. Another very common plant is the Teasel, which was introduced to the US, and cultivated for the textile industry. Like many other introduced species, it spread quickly and is now considered an invasive species. Native Americans, being very adaptive, quickly took advantage of the hard, dried seed head of this plant for combing their hair! I've tried it, and it does work fairly well. But don't pick it here, everything on national refuges is protected under federal law! 

Western Meadowlark

The Western Meadowlarks were everywhere in this location, singing loudly to proclaim territories and attract a mate. I took many photos of them, and finally got the photo I've been after for what feels like years! 

At the bottom of the hill, the switchbacks end, and there is a turnout where the winter road stops. From this point on it's two way traffic. This is one of my favorite spots to stop, shut off the engine and get out to stretch my legs. There are a number of large rocks/boulders there, and they make a great place to sit and take in the absolute quiet of the prairie. From this spot you can just sit and listen to the silence. All you'll hear is the breeze blowing through the prairie grass and sagebrush, birds singing, and an occasional cow mooing from a neighboring ranch. No cars, no radios, nothing but pure peace and quiet. I could sit at this spot for hours. But keep a sharp eye out; and don't go wandering out into the grass. This is also badger territory, and you don't want to run into one of these critters. There has never been a reported incident of a badger attacking a human, and seriously they'd rather avoid you, but if they feel threatened they can get quite nasty, and it's better to be safe than sorry. You don't want to be the first victim!

Blue Copper Butterfly

While sitting here I also noticed some small, blue butterflies. I've always known them as Mountain Butterflies, but officially they are called Blue Coppers. I watched them as they "Puddled"; butterflies take in nourishment from mud. Really! All butterflies do this; there are many minerals in the soil that they need to sustain themselves, and today this spot was a good feeding ground.  

At this time of the year, the wildflowers are in bloom all over the range. Right now it's mostly Arrowleaf Balsamroot, and the hillsides are covered with them. There is also Shooting Stars, Wild Hyacinth, Monkshood, a few Scarlet Paintbrush, among others that I can't identify..

Pronghorn Doe

I saw a few Pronghorn on this side, mostly does, none with fawns that I could see. But if they did have fawns, they are most likely staying hidden and safe. I must say that I was a little disappointed with what was, or was not there today, but such is wildlife photography. You just never know what will show itself for photos. At around 2:30 I headed off the range and toward the lodge. I was ready to relax for a while!

The Patio at My Room

The Ninepipes Lodge is a small, locally owned hotel, with a restaurant, clean and comfortable rooms, and the best service anywhere!  The food is exceptional, and a lot of locals go there just for dinner. My room had a back door with a semi-private patio, and a view of the Mission Mountains that was unbeatable!  The restaurant overlooks a small pond and the Missions, and has an outdoor dining area, although it had been raining for some time and it was a bit too wet to eat outside. But I spent a considerable amount of time in the evenings, just standing by the pond, photographing the birds that were there, along with a few turtles that were resting on the logs placed in the water just for them.

Cow Elk

 At about 5:30 or so I headed back up to the range, but only took the short winter road. The gates at the range close promptly at 9:00, and I knew I would not be off the mountain by then!  But I was not disappointed, for about a mile or so into the winter road, there was a herd of about 30 elk, grazing in the late afternoon sun! Mostly cows, with a few young spike bulls tossed in for good measure. I got a ton of photos of them before heading back to the lodge, where I spent the late afternoon and early evening, just sitting by the pond and enjoying the view. 

The View from My Room

Free Weekend!

I had planned on going up to the National Bison Range this Friday, as there are babies everywhere! I also wanted to go to Ninepipes Reservoir, which is only about fifteen minutes away from the Bison Range. The problem is, in spite of their close proximity, I can't do both in the same day.

The Bison Range opens their gates at 6:00 am this time of year, and I'm typically there by 5:45. My reason for getting there so early is to be the first one on the range. No other vehicles have been out there yet, scaring off the wildlife, and I always have a much better chance of seeing more animals and getting some good shots. I drive painfully slow there, looking not only ahead of me, but on either side, looking up, looking down, and even keeping an eye on what's behind me, because you never know when a bear will wander out from the bushes along the creek once you've gone by. The sign at the beginning of the mountain road says to allow two hours for the driver over the mountain, but I think they need to add a disclaimer that reads: "Photographers allow a minimum of four hours." Seriously. If you really want to get some good shots, you have to take your time. It makes me crazy when someone goes blasting past you on the road there, doing 35 miles an hour in a 15 mile an hour zone and never stopping or even slowing down, and then gets back to the visitor's center and complains because they didn't see anything. I just want to smack them upside the head. So yes, I take my time, I drive slow. I will pull over and let you pass if you absolutely must. But the animals are certainly not in a hurry, so why should you be? By the time I get over the mountains and back to the visitor's center, it's darn near 2 or 3:00 in the afternoon. By then I'm tired and can't even imagine spending more time at the reservoir; I just want to get home.

This weekend I also had an all day photo shoot scheduled on Saturday, and I really did not want to drive all the way up to the Bison Range on Friday and the drive all the way back up to the reservoir on Sunday. Then I got a call that the event I was supposed to shoot had been cancelled. While normally I would be disappointed at the lost income, this time I hung up the call and said "SCORE!", and booked myself for two nights at the Ninepipes Lodge!  My last two summers have been very busy with photo shoots, and I was excited to have an entire weekend to shoot photos for ME.

When I made the reservation, they only had one room left, on the west side, which faces the highway... ugh!  The sound of the trucks rolling through late at night would keep me awake all night. But, I took it because I had no choice. At least it was also facing the lake, and that couldn't be all bad, right?

Eight days and counting!

The Great Blue Hunter

Shooting wildlife can often be tricky. You study the animals and their habits. You watch and observe for normal behaviors and travel routes. They might even get used to your presence (but ALWAYS keep a safe distance, for both you and the animals!).  But you also have to remember that animals don't read the field guides and books, and they seldom follow the "rules".

While you may be able to train a dog, cat or horse to stand quietly and patiently for a photo, wildlife has its own agenda. You just flat never know what they are going to do. You have to be prepared for anything.  It takes a lot of patience to be able to sit in one spot for what might seem like hours, just to get a single decent photo. It takes skill to know the proper settings on your camera to get the right exposure. It also takes a lot of luck.  

There are times when I simply stumble upon an opportunity. The photo here was one of those times. I was driving into a wildlife refuge and spotted the heron in the "yard" of an old historic house. Because I had already set up my camera before I entered the refuge, all I had to do was get close enough for a good shot. There were some large cottonwood trees along the front of the yard and I hoped it would be enough cover to allow me to approach more closely.

Great Blue Herons are ridiculously skittish, and I've never been able to get very close to them. This one however, was focused on something that I could not see, and it was pretty much oblivious to my presence.  That, and the fact that a vehicle being a pretty good blind (you just don't look like a human if you're in a car), I was able to get fairly close. As I started shooting the bird suddenly darted its head out and came up with his prize.  I was able to grab a few more photos before the heron flew off and left me with what was possibly a once in a lifetime shot.