A hike through a snow laden forest, on a calm gray overcast winters day can be a deafening experience. The snow and the heavy sky absorbs all the forest sounds and the only sound you hear is the cadence of snow shoes.
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EXPLORING WINTER
A path less traveled.
Bitterroot Mountains in winter.
A welcomed pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
SERENITY
It’s winter time here in the Bitterroot Mountains as illustrated by this frozen beaver dam.
As the cold winter months drag on, I think about the warm days of the coming spring.
There’s nothing more peaceful or relaxing than spending time along a clear mountain stream.
Some how the sound of falling water seems to wash ones cares away.
Happy New Year to All!
The Lookout
I came upon a small band of Desert Big Horn Sheep, while fishing along the shoreline of the Columbia River.
There’s always a sentry or watchman, such as this mature ewe that keeps an eye out for danger while the rest of the herd feeds or rests during the day. More curious than afraid, I slowly passed by without raising an alarm.
Natures Whistler
If you’ve ever hiked near a high mountain talus slope, you may have heard the high pitched whistle of the Yellow-bellied Marmot or Rock Chuck as it’s called here in the west. It makes its home by burrowing beneath the boulders and whistles as a warning to the rest of the colony when danger approaches.
Unexpected Visitor
In an attempt to call in and photograph a wild coyote, I lured in an unexpected visitor. Curiosity or more of a maternal instinct that caused this mule deer doe to investigate the sound my call. Once satisfied there wasn’t any trouble, she slipped away as quietly as she came in.
Sun Rise Over the Columbia River
While fishing on the Columbia River in Washington State, I was able to capture this golden sun rise that only lasted for a moment.
Spring Time in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho
The winter of 2016-2017 in the Bitterroot Mountains was a lot harder on wildlife than first thought.
Close to record snowfall made foraging for food tough for some animals.
The first signs of spring in 2017 showed that some, like this white tail doe barely survived starvation.
However, with spring comes the birth of new life and it seemed to come on with a vengeance.
Elk calves were numerous and were always looking for a quick meal.
Mothers were always accommodating. Elk calves, on the average must gain over 4 pounds per day before weaning and the largest proportion of this weight gain is from its mothers milk.
Even the deer are showing promising signs of a come back.
In the spring, what mothers have to watch out for is the predator and in this case the black bear, who is always in pursuit of deer fawns and elk calves.
The bears keen sense of smell will keep him close to his prey.
During the first few weeks of an elk calf or fawn’s life, when left alone will lie flat and motionless as an ancestral defensive strategy from danger.
I am blessed to be able to experience these adventures and share these amazing photographs.
