Friday, June 30, 2006

 

Shining river at sunset


Shining river at sunset, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Shining far below is a bend in the Bitterroot River that has caught the liquid gold of the sunset. View large (see instructions at left) to see the bird flying above the river.


Thursday, June 29, 2006

 

Where are the cows?


Where are the cows?, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Ben has his lariat at the ready, but first he has to find a cow to capture.


Wednesday, June 28, 2006

 

Ducks or bumps?


Ducks or bumps?, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

View large to figure out which are bumps on a log and which are ducks in a row...

(See instructions at left for enlarging photos.)

Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley.


Tuesday, June 27, 2006

 

Skeletons


Skeleton, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

This was taken in the back of a body shop in Seeley Lake, Montana. It was such a fascinating jumble of shapes and textures that I had to try to capture it. The decay was quite a contrast with the bright sunlight and the evergreens in the background. I can't really say that a junkyard is a "pristine place," but every now and again I like to go off on a tangent!



Skeleton 2

Another skeleton with a story that no one will ever know. This has been a part of the MCG Ranch in western Montana since my cousins bought the place 50 years ago, and is obviously much older than that. In some way, every piece of rusting "junk" has a history and an aesthetic that counterbalances the plastic society we live in.

Monday, June 26, 2006

 

My home town - Missoula


My home town - Missoula, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana - old Milwaukee Railroad station in background. Taken from John H. Toole Park.


Sunday, June 25, 2006

 

A bright morning mood


A bright morning mood, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

This is the same scene as the photo just below, composed a little differently. The mood of each, however, is so different that they don't even look like the same place. Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley.


Saturday, June 24, 2006

 

A gray afternoon mood


A gray afternoon mood, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Curtains of rain, framed in witches' moss and pine trees. Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley. Interestingly enough, this is not a black and white shot; the day was totally monochromatic.


Friday, June 23, 2006

 

Beargrass: candles in the meadow

Ephemeral woodland lights: June beargrass in the rain. Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley.


Thursday, June 22, 2006

 

Yellow flowers agleam in last light: Oregon grape


Gleaming wildflower, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

This is an early incarnation of the Creeping Oregon Grape, (Berberis aquifolium or repens.) As summer goes on, these yellow flowers will evolve into little green berries, growing low to the ground. They are found everywhere in northern Montana woodlands. Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley.


Wednesday, June 21, 2006

 

A violent torrent


A violent torrent, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

It's impossible to capture the rawness and velocity of snowmelt as it cascades down the ravines and gullies of mountain canyons. Everything, including boulders, trees, and unwitting people who fall off the log on which I was perched taking this photo, is swept along in a violent torrent.


Tuesday, June 20, 2006

 

Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana

Wavelets gently lapping the shore of the Clark Fork River. The water is clear enough that you can't really tell where the river leaves off and the shore begins. This is the result of an inspiring story of citizens working to clean up a river that during my childhood was terminally polluted.Though problems and challenges remain, it is a joy to see its clarity return.


Monday, June 19, 2006

 

Springtime sunset


Springtime sunset, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Sunset over the Mission Mountains - taken in western Montana's Seeley-Swan Valley at the Double Arrow Ranch.


Sunday, June 18, 2006

 

One bright ray over the Mission Mountains


Mission Mountains, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Looking across the Swan Valley in western Montana. This photo must be viewed large to appreciate the relationship between clouds and mountains. Please read instructions at left to enlarge the photo.


Saturday, June 17, 2006

 

Alpine lake in Mission Mountains

Glacier Lake in Mission Mountains Wilderness. A gem of a place that I visited a few days ago. Such silence and solitude up there in the Missions on a rainy, misty day.


Friday, June 16, 2006

 

A final sail in paradise


A final sail in paradise, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

A last sail under a lowering sky before re-entering the "world": this graceful sailboat is piloted by my cousin just a few days after his beautiful wedding in the Swan Valley in western Montana.


Thursday, June 15, 2006

 

Reflected sunset


Reflected sunset, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Taken in western Montana's Swan Valley. A magical time of day.


Tuesday, June 13, 2006

 

Spring runoff in the Swan Range

Well, it's been an intense and family-filled time here in Montana - we attended a wedding and a memorial service and I've spent all my time with beloved cousins that I haven't seen for years. It has been wonderful. I do have a batch of Montana pix but my uploading will continue to be erratic due to lack of access to broadband.

This was taken in the Swan Range (my continuous source of inspiration) just south of Glacier Park. It's reassuring to see all the cascades of water coming out of the mountains everywhere, as this bodes well for the coming dry season.


Tuesday, June 06, 2006

 

Yes, this is a footbridge!


Yes, this is a footbridge!, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

I'm in Montana right now; took a marvelous hike that required crossing three bridges like this! The slippery surface from the continuous rain provided a dash of danger that spiced up the trip. The spring runoff is coming down in torrents due to a good snowpack in the mountains. This was taken on the trail to Glacier Lake in the Mission Mountains.


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