Clarks Fork Canyon

 Yesterday Ken and I led a hike from Chief Joseph trailhead to the mouth of the Clark's Fork Canyon. This is one of our favorites and I am sure I have posted shots of the area before but it is so beautiful that I hope you won't mind me repeating myself! The photo above was taken at about the three mile mark of the 8 mile hike. The overlook at this location allows viewers to see Sunlight Falls at the bottom of the canyon as well as much of Sunlight Plateau above.

 This goat was quite curious. How he was walking along the side of this cliff I do not know! They are amazing animals.

The photo below is the same guy - one of the two goats I saw - but I shot him in HDR (hence the blue shadows) because of the extreme sun on the cliffs behind while he was in shadow. Without the three exposures either the wall in back would have been way overexposed or the goat's area would have been underexposed.

 About halfway along the trail you start the plunge down to the Clark's Fork River which then has to be forded. I really think that was one of the coldest stream crossings I have ever done. I am sure the water was at 33 degrees - barely above freezing - as the ice was already formed along the edges. The air temperature was in the twenties which didn't help us to get our feet warm once we made it across the river.

This last shot is again from the overlook. I loved the way the tree in the foreground was in shade while the background was sun lit.

Goldie Again

 Two posts in a row -I'm on a roll! The first photo above is one I took on my way home from classes on Friday. For almost two years I have been looking at this fence as I drive by it twice a day, five days a week and thinking I should pull over and take this shot. I finally did it and I am glad!

The second shot was taken yesterday and is the golden eagle that perches in a tree not far from our house. This is the third time in the last year he has allowed me to get within feet of him to take a photo. I love the way his headdress matches the final fall leaves in the tree.

Old Ranch

 Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted! It isn't for a lack of taking photographs, I assure you. The problem has been that I spend five days a week in classes and then have to travel somewhere on the weekends - at least for the last month. Today is actually a holiday at the college so the profs can enter our mid-term grades so I have a mini chance to get caught up on some things.

 These images were taken this past Saturday on the Landmark Ranch near Powell, Wyoming. Ken and I were there as part of a volunteer work crew charged with removing the old sheep fence that is a hazard to wildlife; particularly greater sage-grouse. The new owners of the ranch are hoping to restore the old buildings before they fall down completely.

My favorite shot is of this old chicken coop sitting all alone out on the wind swept prairie.