Photography, Affliction

Affliction - February 21, 2012 - Near Park City, MT

Photography, No Rest for the Wicked

Yesterday I happened to drive through the small town of Fromberg, Montana and turned down a side street.  A beautiful photo presented itself to me, so I took advantage of it and I'll share it with you here.  Two lonely feral cats, one keeping watch while the other sleeps. Enjoy:)

No Rest for the Wicked - Fromberg, MT - February 17, 2011

Photography, Lift Off

In the distance the Beartooths Mountains can be seen.  Have been quite busy lately and the blog's pace will be slowing down a tad! I've also included a cool video I found.  Enjoy:)

Lift Off - February 2012 - Near Billings, Montana

Photography, Walk The Line

Yesterday I went out and did some serious hiking for a few hours.  I decided to try something a little different with my photography.  I used my shoes as a subject for a few of my pictures.  Now situating the shoes while trying not to leave any footprints in the snow was quite a challenge.  Especially considering the snow on the ground and the temperature, but the outcome was satisfactory, so it was worth the half hour of freezing feet!  I really like the way one of them turned out, and after a little editing I believe it's time to share it!

The hiking took place at Zimmerman Park, which I have posted about before.  It is in West Billings up on the rims and is accessible from Zimmerman Trail.  I'm also going to include a video that I found quite entertaining! Enjoy:)

The Beartooth Mountains are off in the distance.

Travel, Lolo National Forest

I found out quite the interesting fact the other day.  In Lolo National Forest (West of Missoula, Montana) there is a lake called Rainy Lake.  This lake has been around for awhile, but it won't be along for very much longer.  The lake is actually named Rainy Lake because it is in a Northern-Arid climate zone, where it doesn't rain.  The lake is estimated to dry up by the year 2014.  I suggest you go and see it before this treasure disappears!  Now one asks themselves how does a lake form if there is no rain?  The answer: melting glacier.

Luckily this lake is one of many treasures within Lolo National Forest.  It is home to several species of beautiful animals such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats.  It is also home to black bear and grizzly bear along with wolves and elk.  It is a truly beautiful forest and is over 2 million acres.  These 2 million acres also include 4 built in wilderness areas.  It is truly a wonderful place to get in touch with nature.

To conclude I will include some pictures of this beautiful forest! Enjoy:)

Lolo National Forest

Meadow in Lolo National Forest

River bend in Lolo National Forest

Photography, Gallatin National Forest

Yesterday I journeyed over to Bozeman, Montana and headed a bit south into the Gallatin National Forest.  I took one picture that I really love, it truly stands out to me.  I spent quite a bit of time editing it in a few different manners, I hope you find some joy in the finished products.  Enjoy:)

This is the final version that I uploaded to Flickr.  Titled, "I Could Use a Hand"

Unedited, as photographed

Kaleidoscope of the Ages

Cold and Iced

Fades to White

White Out

Animals, Great Horned Owl

Today we begin February and I thought it'd be an appropriate time to share one of my favorite pictures.  Great Horned Owls sure look wise. Enjoy:)

Great Horned Owl in Montana

Photography, Fiddler Creek Road, Montana

This weekend I went went on a little adventure down near the Rosebud area on Fiddler Creek Road in South/Central Montana in the Beartooth Mountains.  I took a few pictures and think they're worth sharing.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!  Enjoy:)

Horse spotted with the Beartooths in the background near Fiddler Creek Road

Beartooths in the mirror

I love the set-up of this picture.  Some deer spotted up West Rosebud Road

Beartooth Mountains down the road

View of the Beartooths from hill

Travel, Big Timber Falls

My latest post ellaborated on the Crazy Mountains and the small town/city of Big Timber.  This one will focus on the Big Timber Falls near that area.

I would love to go see them, but considering the time of year, and the weather, that might not be possible.  The falls are part of the Big Timber Creek system.  Just hiking along the creek would provide a plethora of photography opportunities. There may be a nice day to slip in and I'll jump on the opportunity, but until then I'm just left dreaming.

Map of the Big Timber Falls location

The Big Timber Falls

 Below is a video of the falls.  Enjoy :)

 

Travel, Big Timber, Montana

This past weekend I took a drive over to Big Timber, Montana.  The drive was beautiful as you drive past the Beartooth Mountains to the south and then the Crazy Mountains to the north going west on Interstate 90.  I wanted to drive up into the Crazies a bit but the problem with that was the Avalanche Warnings and closed access.
Interesting enough, Big Timber is home to the very famous former NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw and also the famous broadcaster Brett Munsburger.  I took a few pictures and wanted to take more, but didn't quite have time.  Enjoy:)

Crazy Mountains as seen from Interstate 90 West

Crazy Mountains and Yellowstone River

Bozeman Trail

Crazy Mountains from Big Timber

Big Timber and Crazy Mountains in background

Travel, Billings Montana Weather Pt. II

Well today is going a lot like yesterday.  The weather is well below zero and the snow has fallen even heavier.  I took some pictures on my way to class this morning after basically digging out my car from the snow.

After I unburied my Prius :)

I added a video for fun.  Enjoy :)

Travel, Billings, Montana Weather

I have one main point to spell out for you all today.
BRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Literally so cold.  I went outside to shovel the driveway and within about 5 minutes my face was completely frozen.  Luckily I'm speedy at shoveling said driveway, but the cold was just ridiculous.

For those of you who think -9 isn't that bad consider the following picture:

RealFeel tells how cold it feels like outside.  So ya know how it's usually pretty cold outside when it's around 30? Well take that and subtract 65 degrees.  Then you end up where it is out here.
The strange part about the weather being so cold is that this is normally what the weather and temperature is like over in West Yellowstone.  But the precarious part is that in West Yellowstone it is 21 degrees, and feels a tad warmer.  That's enough for my rant for now, but there will be no adventuring today, it is just too cold.  Wish me luck! I'll throw a video that may help anyone who gets stuck in weather like this, luckily I'm warm and inside.  Enjoy:)

Exploring, Bighorn Canyon / Stillwater River / Phipps Park

Recently I discovered about 700 pictures that I had taken while on an adventure with my 1 year old dalmatian Rojo in September of 2011.  This adventure took us from the Stillwater River near Columbus, MT to the Bighorn Canyon to the cool rock formations of Phipps park in Billings, Montana.  I have included some of my favorite pictures from that adventure.  Enjoy:)

Rojo on hillside near Bighorn Canyon

Rojo catching his breath near Bighorn Canyon

Train from rock formation at Phipps Park in West Billings, MT

Rojo in rock formation at Phipps Park near West Billings, MT

Interesting rock formation at Phipps Park in West Billings, MT

Rojo hiding under a rock at Phipps Park in West Billings, MT

Rock at Phipps Park in West Billings, MT

Rojo standing proud near Stillwater River (Columbus, MT)

Near Stillwater River (Columbus, MT)

Rojo in grass near Stillwater River (Columbus, MT)

Travel, Red Lodge, Montana

Yesterday I went to Red Lodge, Montana.  Many of you may recognize this as a ski resort.  But for me its a place where I have taken several beautiful photographs.  I would highly recommend a visit to Red Lodge, if not for the cool shops down Broadway St. for the beautiful mountains and scenery that surrounds it.  There is a road to Custer National Forest that goes out of Red Lodge.

So when I got there I took a road that goes up a steep hill, and about halfway up the hill there is a spot to turn off and put chains on your tires.  Well, it is January here and you may expect me to need to put chains on my tires, especially at the high elevation, but there was absolutely no snow on the roads.  There was some off the roads, but not as much as there should have been. Anyways, when I turned off I turned my car off and got out to take some pictures.  My goal was to capture the city of Red Lodge and the mountains in the distance in one photo.  I walked a little bit until I found a good spot to take the photo.  I took in the view and relaxed so I could get a good picture.  All of the sudden six deers flew out of the brush in front of me.  I definitely startled them, but I think they startled me equally.  To make a long story short, I fell into the snow, luckily there wasn't very much, but I was still snow covered.  From there I took a few pictures, but those deer sure got the best of me! Enjoy :)

Red Lodge with Mountains in distance

Mountains in Red Lodge

My Off-Road Capable Prius ;) in Red Lodge

Cool Scene from Red Lodge golf course

In Custer National Forest by Red Lodge

Animals, Lynx

Not much to say today.  Thought I'd share a picture I took a few months ago.  Enjoy :)

Lynx - Carbon County, MT - November 2011

Oh and for those of you who are curious the difference between a lynx (pictured) and a bobcat are as follows:

-While a lynx and a bobcat are very similar in appearance, lynx are a little bigger, have a hairy face, and a plain coat of grey compared to the mottled fur of a bobcat.
-Lynx will hunt rabbits nearly exclusively but bobcats vary their diets with creatures large and small.
-Bobcats are more aggressive than lynx.

Read more: Difference Between Lynx and Bobcat | Difference Between | Lynx vs Bobcat 

Exploring, Zimmerman Park

Yesterday I went on a little adventure and explored Zimmerman Park.  For those of you familiar with the Billings, Montana area, Zimmerman Park is a mountain biking trail/hiking park up on the rim.  The rim is basically a long set of cliffs that are connected north and east of the downtown area.  The Logan Airport is right up on the rims, and there are only a couple roads that take you to the top.  Zimmerman Trail is one of them, which takes you up a very steep grade and once at the top you can turn left and you'll immediately see Zimmerman Park.  The only complaints I have about my experience there yesterday was the temperature.  It was 30 degrees out, but my Weather Channel App said it felt like 14.  I had my camera with me, so I've included a couple pictures below.  Enjoy :)

View from Zimmerman Park looking at West Billings - January 8th, 2012

Zimmerman Park - Billings, MT - January 8th, 2012

Travel, Custer National Forest

Usually when I set off to go on an adventure I really don't have a set place in mind.  Occasionally, I'll enjoy visiting a place so much that I decide to visit it again.  Custer National Forest is one of those places, there is just so much to see and do there from the mountain trails, to the picnic areas, to the beautiful and clear rivers.  I have taken several pictures at this National Forest in South/Central Montana.  Enjoy :)

December 2011 - Me at Custer National Forest

September 2011 - Custer National Forest

September 2011 - Custer National Forest