Category Archives: Birding

Busy Days at the Heron Rookery

Posted on March 31, 2016 by westerner54

If only we would all get along as well as the birds I’ve been watching this month at the heron rookery. In early March the Canada Geese were busy checking out the various nests in the rookery, apparently staking their … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

The Owl and the Fox

Posted on January 28, 2016 by westerner54

Once upon a time, in a small woods on the edge of a big pond, there lived a wise old owl and a curious young fox.    The owl, who had lived in the woods for many years, knew that … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

The Montana Bird Project

Posted on December 8, 2015 by westerner54

Sounds impressive, eh?   Surely The Montana Bird Project has the sponsorship of the Nature Conservancy or Audubon.   It even sounds like there are concurrent projects going on in every state, all leading up to a whiz-bang finish: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Photography | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Small Wonders

Posted on September 17, 2015 by westerner54

Montana is full of big wonders: the grizzlies, the elk, the moose, the huge mountains and the equally huge sky.    We visit Yellowstone and look for wolves and bears, and hope that we’ll be one of the few visitors … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Sandhill Cranes in the Smoke

Posted on August 14, 2015 by westerner54

The combination of a smoky morning and a long-distance shot gives these Sandhill Cranes the mysterious, other-worldly quality they deserve, don’t you think?

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Herons: the Zen and the Not-So-Zen

Posted on June 26, 2015 by westerner54

Herons have always seemed particularly Buddha-like to me, despite their distinctly non-chubby physiques.  They stand in a meditative trance, perfectly able to stay that way for as long as they want.    When they’re fishing they’re masters of patience, ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The Goldens

Posted on May 28, 2015 by westerner54

I’m sitting on the side of a steep hill, scoping out a stunning Golden Eagle nest.  The eagle in the nest is doing the same thing she’s been doing for the past 6 weeks – laying in the nest.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Malheur Wildlife Refuge

Posted on May 14, 2015 by westerner54

I’m standing on the edge of the Blitzen River, watching – and being watched by – a pair of Northern Harriers.  I think they must have a nest nearby, since they don’t seem to like the fact that I’m hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Sneaky Critters

Posted on May 1, 2015 by westerner54

They’re out there. You know they are. The critters are all around us, watching…they know we’re there, that’s for sure. If we’re patient, we might find them. There’s someone on this snowy Yellowstone hillside.   Do you see him? No? … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Being Here, Being Now

Posted on April 19, 2015 by westerner54

I’m sitting in a meadow near Harrison Lake, watching a pair of Short-eared Owls courting high above me.  Their soft “wup-wup-wups” and the wing-clapping of the male is surprisingly loud, even when they’re hundreds of feet away.   A pair … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 18 Comments