MONTANA WILDFLOWERS, WILDLIFE AND JAKE

Alpine Forget-Me-Not

Cushion Phlox

We call this one his regal pose

...or a favorite one of his with crossed front paws 

Our resident squirel finally realized the significance of the banquet offering after I tossed about 20 peanuts on the ground. JIR

COLD AND WET MONTANA SPRING

I'm sure you have heard about it. Flooding in Montana. There is also plenty of snow up in the mountains, which will soon turn into water, run downhill, and add insult to injury. Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-70's later this week, making a fast meltdown and more flooding likely.

Beartooth Mountains, about 10,000 ft at the top

Crazy Mountains, draped by a storm cloud, topping of at around 9,200 ft

Abzarokas, peaking around 10,700 ft

Angry, swollen Yellowstone River spilling over its banks

DOT crews work arduously on the closed eastbound lane of I90, 16 miles east of Livingston

Railway crews repair flood eroded tracks, which border the Yellowstone

Moisture laden storm cloud engulfs the mountains around Livingston

Bridger Mountains, 9,600 ft

Mount Edith, 9,600 ft, 50 miles southeast of Helena

Elkhorns, peaking at 9,400 ft, as seen from our home in MT

STOP AND SMELL THE EAGLES

It has been 6 years of since we have been making frequent treks between Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. I suspect we will miss these trips when we move back to Montana. Well, maybe we won't miss the low visibility white-knuckle winter trips through ice and snow. Yesterday, we took a slightly different route on highway 39 through Colstrip, MT when we came upon this scene. Going 70 miles an hour and being less than halfway through a nine hour road trip, it took quick decision-making and determination to enjoy the moment. We stopped, pulled a U-turn and captured the scene. So glad we did! JIR 

SPRING IS HERE (MAYBE)

Judging by the flowering crabapple, Spring is at it's peak. It just does not feel like it. During the last several days, wetness has been descending upon us from above is substantial amounts. A chill permeates the air, driving the humidity through layers of skin, fat and muscle into our bones.

It was Spring-therapeutic to take advantage of clearing sun lit skies yesterday evening, admiring the flowers, and listening to the constant buzzing of the bees.   

The rain resumed today and it will fall again tomorrow. Instead of complaining, I look at our flowers and trees, convincing myself that Spring is indeed here. JIR 

SCENIC, SOUTH DAKOTA

It's not a description of the state, but actually the name of this town about 35 miles east of Rapid City, SD, and just before the northeast entrance to Badlands National Park. The 2000 census counted 87 residents, probably a few more than today's count  

Zip code 57780, pint size post office

These 2 guys were not thrilled to see me snapping pictures, even as far as I was with my telephoto

Legs too long for the body, not unlike Jake

Showing off for mom

Don't mess with me dude!

FEELING GOOD IN THE BADLANDS

Natural beauty presents itself in curious and very different ways. The Badlands of South Dakota is one of those peculiar places that seem barren and desolate at first sight, quickly transforming itself into a gorgeous stamp of Mother Nature.

Last Sunday we took an easy 5 mile hike atop Sheep Mountain, a flat-top hill overlooking the National Park. Let's just say it was difficult not to include all the pictures I took. Every turn of the road/trail showed us another beautiful new canyon, carved by time and the receeding waters of the ocean that once covered the entire landscape. Permanent natural carvings and color changes of the rock formation mark the progressively decreasing depths of the sea

Sandy soil supports an interesting display of flora

Lunch always tastes better sorrounded by beauty (including the one sitting next to me)

Prevailing vegetation is the juniper evergreen

Very interesting rock formations down in the valley. JIR