In the Seeley Swan We Found Ruffed Grouse...

...few and far between. That it rained almost constantly the entire week did not help but we persevered as best we could, got a good deal of work done on our forthcoming book, Bird Trails Montana; discovered some pretty nifty spots, tramped a bunch of good country, did a wee bit of fishing, enjoyed a good camp--actually except for one evening we had an entire USFS campground all to our ownselves, hard to top that eh? In case you have never been the Seeley Swan woods are dark, bushy as hell and full of mystery--not the least of which is the very real possibility of meeting up Mr., or perish the thought, Mrs. Griz and youngins round just about any bend. That is if bear scat everywhere is any indication...Yes, I know most of the scat belongs or belonged to one the many and much more likely to encounter black bears roaming twixt the Mission Mountain Wilderness to the west and the Bob Marshall to the east...but still being reminded in some spots every few steps does tend make one a bit goosey...I have a long and some might say downright careless relationship with black bears but second day out I did dig around and pull out our one and only and very ancient can bear spray...I don't think Gale was comforted in the least and I know she weren't impressed...hey, I tried. Anyway here a few keeper shots randomly drawn as always from our wanderings...Enjoy.

American dipper aka water ouzel...never guess which handle I prefer...

Signs such as this were everywhere...just in case you forget?

Grand National Champion Larch is 153 feet tall, 24 feet around, 1000 years old, a damned impressive specimen if I do say so me self...

Bark beetles, nature's master engravers....

Wolf Video Opens A Large Can of Worms And...

...And gets me a few hate mails and one ugly comment from "Anonymous" who apparently lacks the IF to sign it...So be it, as someone once mentioned, "we all have our opinions and the right to speak 'em...But to all you "Chuck" haters let me point out:

• "I" DID NOT produce or have a thing to do with the video.
• "I" of course DID draw my own conclusions and posted the video so faithful followers of this blog could in fact draw theirs.
• No one, especially you "haters," have a clue where I stand on the wolf issue, in whole or in part.

So in the interest of enlightenment...

• Fact is I happen to like wolves--i.e. wolves managed biologically NOT politically.
• I DO NOT like it that the Greater Yellowstone wolf population has been allowed to grow to what most biologists consider way over the top numbers; for all the wrong reasons I might add.
• I DO NOT appreciate the politics which allow folks from around the globe to dictate policy which should be solely left to the biologists, the folks left to deal with wolves and those most affected by them; that judges, who have NO biology credentials whatsoever are allowed to have the final say.
• I DO NOT cotton to the idea, once the moose are all but gone, the elk have disappeared and/or fled to safer pastures hard working ranchers are left to "supply" cows to feed the hungry wolves; a deal which of course they DID NOT sign on in the first beginning.
• And I could go on and on enlightening but then like I said, we all have our opinions, these are just a few of mine...PS keep on sending the hate messages but please do let me know just who the hell you are..over and out...Chuck

To view the video AND DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS please click on http://cryingwolfmovie.com/or check it out on You Tube...

Montana Duck Hunters Rejoice....

...season opens tomorrow. But with temperatures expected to soar well into the 80s it might not be too ducky a day, eh? No dedicated ducker by any stretch, I decided to fore-go getting baked and instead open the season early...And while we won't be dining duck anytime soon I did manage to nab a couple keepers...as always click pix for a larger view...

These blue-winged teal don't know how lucky they are...cuz presented a set-up like this well hell even I could hardly miss...right? Right!!!

Ain't never et a goldeneye...anyways no regrets this time around; actually damn glad to have the camera in hand instead...pretty nifty shot if I don't say so myownself...

Took some doing to finally get this guy to hold still long nuff to press the shutter and...well as you can see the pose could have been a lot better but as someone once mentioned an eye is an eye or...perhaps more to the point you can't win 'em all...

Then too someone once mentioned "even a blind hog finds a acorn once in awhile" To whit...sort of standin' on my head trying to focus on the wild licorice failed to note the two spiders...as I say...well hell...

 Like the bugs, not much a do 'bout duckin', just another nifty shot...'specially when you add in holdin' back Kate one hand workin' camera tother...I say way ta go Gale!