We got water

This will be a spring to remember, at least from the standpoint of precipitation. The Montana Bureau of Mines has been monitoring our well for the last 7 years. When the well was dug in 1993 it was 105 feet deep, from the surface of the ground to the water was 43 feet and it pumped at a rate of 25 gallon per minute. The monitoring was a reaction to the concern for the drought caused by the lack of precipitation and the potential impact it could have on agriculture.

Currently, the water is at the highest level it has been in 7 years and very close to when the well was dug 16 years ago. In addition to the Grove Creek, which has always had some water flowing through it, we now have the Davidson Creek which starts north and west of our ranch, and crosses under the road that leads to the entrance to our home. The Davidson Creek has been flowing for over a month, the Grove Creek is flowing at a rate we haven't seen in years, and our spring tank, used to water the livestock in the northern pastures has been full since last fall.

We are currently in a winter storm watch, with 100% chance of snow and rain for the next 3 days, which means more water. The snow pack in the mountains was running 6% above normal about a week ago.

We should have great hay crops this summer but in the meantime we have mud like we haven't seen either. The drought which allowed the fires to be a major threat for the last few years should be under control, and the green picture that you have seen on our website may be a reality again. For those of you who have never seen the Davidson Creek, this is what it looks like as you drive up the hill to our driveway.

Happy Easter

Thursday morning Marty and I drove to the Billings airport to fly to Boulder to spend the weekend with Jeff and his family, pictured below. At noon after waiting at the gate for over almost 2 hours we were informed that our flight had been cancelled and there were no seats on aircraft leaving Billing for until Saturday. We immediately had our tickets refunded, picked up our luggage, jumped in our car and headed for Colorado, arriving at 8:45 PM.

. . . . . . and now a special Easter memory. . During the Easter season several years ago,one of our grandchildren appeared to be remorse as the parents were putting the grandchild to bed and saying their prayers. They asked what seemed to be problem.

The grandchild said, “I am sad because Al Dude died and I won’t see him anymore. The mother told the child that Al Dude was happy and in heaven. The grandchild was happy to hear that, but the parents could tell there was still something on the mind of the grandchild. “Is Al Dude in Heaven with Jesus?” ,the mother said, Of course he is. The grandchild said, “The soldiers are coming after Jesus, (referring to Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem.) Maybe, Jesus can find Al Dude and they can ride away real fast, so He isn’t caught by the soldiers.

Happy Easter

An antelope, pronghorn

The setting of this picture reminded me of the color and background when we were in Africa several years ago. This was one of several antelope which we saw. Although this one was sauntering along it can also run at a very fast pace, one of the world's fastest animals. Their markings make them a very interesting animal to observe.

State Bird of Montana

We have seen these birds and heard them for at least a month. If I had posted their pictures with the photographs from the last 30 days, they didn't look natural as they were all hovered over, trying to stay warm in the snow, wind, and ice. I finally found one that would pose for me, the temperature was 55 degrees and the sun was shining. They are beautiful birds and there are plenty of them.

Sunday was a sunny day

But the snow was still here. I went outside to take a picture of the "big sky" which was a brilliant blue and the fields and mountains covered with snow. A beautiful image to capture. As I was walking around to get the image I wanted, I spotted Rafiki leaving one portion of the pasture and heading toward the area near the Grove Creek where I had put their hay. Through the branches of one of the trees, I took this picture. If you have seen Rafiki, who was born a bay and then shed out to the grey that he is today, you might wonder if he is getting another color as there appears to be muted colors in places on his body. He is still grey, just like his head and neck in this picture, but the leaves and branches of the tree blended in the picture to create the muted colors.

We were greeted by "happiness" in Yellowstone

There was no snow at the northwest entrance to Yellowstone as you can see by this picture. The Mountain Bluebirds were abundant but as we drove toward Mammoth Hot Springs and the higher altitudes we didn't see any more. For those of you who have seen our last several posts, there was plenty of snow in the Lamar Valley and I'm sure that they got at least another foot or two in the last 2 days. I still haven't got close to the male bluebird at the ranch, but I'm trying.

The Weather picture in Fishtail

In case you haven't been keeping up with the weather in Montana, we have had a very wet spell, primarily snow and it still hasn't stopped. The current snowfall started a couple days ago and is supposed to continue thru noon today. There has probably been 8 to 12 inches. I went out with my camera this morning, took a picture of the arena and sent it to a lady in Helena who has been trying to get here for the last 4 weeks to see Rafiki. While walking back to the house, I got this picture of Kenya - it says it all. Spring started a couple weeks ago, you'd never know it if you were here.

and then there were wolves

On the eastern trip through the Lamar Valley, we were focused on other things as we missed the buffalo carcass. We turned around at Soda Butte and were blessed with a fury of activity. The highlight of our visit was a wolf couple who first chased another wolf away and then turned around to howl. Howl they did, it was loud, entertaining, and perhaps intimidating. I captured their image as they sang and soon they were on their way as if they were strutting off the stage. These 3 pictures captured the moments.

Paradise Gallery in Gardiner, Montana

Yesterday, we loaded The Paradise Gallery in Gardiner with Clint's Photographic Art. There are 16 different photographs, most are 8.5 x 11 and some are 12 x 16 and a couple are in Rich's Rustic Frames with wood from the "Old Faithful Inn". There are also note cards with envelopes and post cards. Finally, there are 8 different rocks with Clint's photographs on them, including the latest one, the Mountain Blue Bird. Clint's photo's are also featured on the web site: http://www.theparadisegallery.com

After the delivery to Carol Newbury Howe, the owner of the gallery, Clint and Marty spent the next 4 hours in Yellowstone National Park. It appeared to be an uneventful day until they started to return to the entrance and came upon a pack of wolves enjoying dinner at a carcass. The Yellowstone pictures will follow.

Another sign of spring

The arrival of the birds, after being gone all winter, tells us that spring is just around the corner. As you have seen by some of the pictures, there are some that wish they had not made the trip so early. We have had several of these couples over the past 10 years, this year they have decided to park at one of the neighbors. What we used to have was a pair, I found these four together at the neighbors and there were 2 other pairs as well. What are they? They are sand hill cranes, they mate for life also, and during their stay, mama sits on the eggs until they hatch, and they all leave in the fall.

The Lady posed for me

If you have been reading the blog, we spotted the male Mountain Blue Bird a few days ago as he returned for the spring and summer. I haven't seen him again when I had my camera, but yesterday, guess who was in the tree near their bird house. The lady - and I'm sure when you see the photo you'll wonder if I know what I am talking about. The female does not have the brilliant blue that the male does. The female usually has more blue but the sure sign was the white around her eye. There is a little blue around her wing, if you look closely.

I saw the male this morning, he looked just as cold as she did yesterday, it was 20 degrees and the sun had not appeared yet.

Price of "rock art" goes up

Saturday night, March 28th, was the 19th annual Absarokee Art Auction. The income from the auction goes toward college scholarships for the Absarokee High School graduates. Clint donated a framed 11 x 14 print of the Red Tail Hawk in flight and the Golden Eagle on a rock. This was really a test of the marketability of the rocks, even though they have been in a couple galleries, this was the test. The eagle sold for $110 which was very encouraging. Go to the March 2, 2009 blog to see the birds. This is what the eagle looked like on the rock.

This is not a dumb bunny

It's still cold and the weatherman says more snow and cold for the next three days. I saw my first bluebird today, so I took my camera with me in hopes that I would see him again. Not so, but as I returned to the barn, what did I see, not more that 10 feet from the hay mall where the horse hay is stored. This bunny if it had not already was soon to help itself to some "good horse hay". Let the cold and snow come, this bunny would be full and warm.

Baby it's cold outside

These red wing black birds thought it was spring, showed up on the ranch in the last couple of days, and were enjoying the spring weather. NOT TODAY . . . . . temperature 12 degrees, wind from the north, 4 inches of snow, temperature to get to mid 20's and nothing to eat. They just happened to be parked in a tree where I could take this picture as they are not the only new arrivals that wish they were somewhere else. The robins started arriving a couple days ago also.

DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR A CLOSE UP OF COLD

Kenya and Barlo usually go with us

The rules that you receive at the entrance to the park regarding pets, states that they are allowed and if they get out of the vehicle, they must be on a lead and can not go more than 100 feet from the road that you are traveling on. As you see, these are not Yellowstone wildlife, but are our 2 Great Danes. They enjoy the scenery and as we approach wildlife in the car, they come to full alert, yet are very respectful to the animals, have never barked, but certainly know these are different than they experience on our ranch at Fishtail. Marty was giving them an afternoon break . . . we were at least a mile from any wildlife at the time I took this picture.

. . . and of course there were elk

The trophy elk was proud that he still had his antlers for this picture. He will soon be shedding them and growing new and most likely bigger ones for next season. There are at least 3 large bull's in the area where this guy was and when we return in May and the summer we will report on the new growth.

The lone female was one of 6 that must have been grazing in the area where the grizzly bear (see March 20th blog) eventually camped out for the day. As we were watching the grizzly roam through the wooded area we suddenly heard and then saw 6 young elk come running in the opposite direction of the bear. They certainly heard or smelled him and decided today was not the day to graze where they had been.

The group of ladies that you see through the trees were headed to an open area about a mile further east when I took this picture. This picture captured only a few of them as there must have been at least 50 or more in this herd.

Of course elk were prevalent around Mammoth Hot Springs and other areas along the road to Cooke City.

TRY DOUBLE CLICKING ON THE PICTURES

and guess what was hustling across the valley

Two days in a row as we traversed across the Lamar Valley, we saw remnants of the Druid wolf pack, in high gear headed east the first day and west the second day. These were not leisurely meanderings across the valley, they were intent on getting somewhere or something. We could not figure out what but we knew they were in a hurry. Here's one of them.

An early sign of spring in Yellowstone

If you have been cuddled up in your warm bed, when it is 5, 10, maybe 20 degrees outside and someone asked, when do the bears come out of their winter hibernation. Your answer would probably been when the snow melts and it gets warmer outside. On March 14, 2009 it was 18 degrees when I took these pictures. I had seen this grizzly the day before, had watched him, but couldn't get close enough for a picture.
He had traveled through a heavily wooden area at a higher elevation and then went down to the Lamar River for several hours. There were some elk near the point where he was headed, and before we saw him arrive, we saw the elk, startled and scared heading in the opposite direction. He spent most of the day, resting along the bank of the river, but on occassions he would get up and stretch. On this occassion, he provided a profile of his head, thank you Mr. Bear.

That's an unusual rock on the crest of the ridge

Driving through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, I spotted something on the crest of a ridge. My first impression was it was a rock, an unusual rock to say the least, but a closer examination with my binoculars, was it was alive and moving. This is a close up of the same image.
This guy and several of his buddies were working the crest, not much to eat but within the next month there should be some morsels of grass appearing.

Why do bison try to leave Yellowstone in the winter?

This picture is the answer. The ground is covered with snow. No one is hauling hay for them to eat. The vegetation that is available is either hard like a tree, dry like paper, or who would want to eat it, like the sage brush these buffalos are walking through. Nice photograph, ugly picture. Want to see a larger picture, double click on the screen.

Yellowstone in mid-March

Over the next few days, we will share with you our 2 days in Yellowstone, last week. The look on this coyotes face tells it all. Although the temperatures ranged from 5 degrees to 35 degrees above, depending upon the time of day and the altitude, the sun was bright and it was comfortable. This critter was obviously full from his last meal and had settled in the sun for a rest or perhaps a nap.
Come back and see who is out of hibernation, some interesting photo's of most of the wild life.

Dinner at Chico Hot Springs

One of our favorite places to dine is Chico Hot Springs in the Paradise Valley between Livingston and Yellowstone National Park. Many great meals have been enjoyed there as well as many unique experiences. Thanksgiving 2007, Jeff and his family ate with us at the buffet. Everyone had a little bit of everything except for Curtis, who started at the desert section and returned 2 more times for the "banana's foster". When it was time to collect for the dining, we were asked his age, which was 5 years old at the time. We were told there would be no charge for his meal.

In the summer of 2008, Marty and I were joined by our granddaughter Crissy. Crissy normally is challenged to finish her dinner, but that night after she ordered her dinner, she spotted an entree on another table and ordered it as well. To everyone's astonishment, Crissy consumed 2 entrees, an all time record.

So, to celebrate our trip to Chico, I had not 1 but 2 appetizers, 2 entree's plus my favorite desert, a chocolate coconut pie that tastes just like a "mounds" bar. I probably had a glass or 2 of wine also. It was a great meal and these pictures were taken to prove that grandpa can do it also.

Did you guess Yellowstone National Park?

Where could you find an elk in this much snow that would be within the range of 40 miles from our ranch? We'll spend Friday and Saturday in Yellowstone while staying at our favorite resort, Chico Hot Springs. We will most likely have some pictures and for sure some stories about our trip. Clint will be stopping at The Paradise Gallery in Gardiner to bring them some more of his photograhy, rocks, and cards.

Where are we going, get out your map and compass

You may have it figured out already, but in case you don't, tomorrow's clue will confirm your suspicions. The dogs are going also, it is "dog friendly" where we are staying.

Guess where we are going this week

This is not a view from our ranch, but if you were an eagle you could be there in less than 40 miles. Marty, the dogs and I will have traveled almost 200 miles when we get to the spot where I took this picture in early February. I will post another hint tomorrow and the final hint on Wednesday . . . . then we're gone. You'll get some more pictures next Sunday or Monday, from our trip.

Don't be concerned, they have their winter coats

It is 24 degrees, they are standing where we put their hay this morning, they have a choice, either out in the pasture or in the paddock where the barn will protect them from the falling snow plus there is a covered portion for them to stand in. If the weatherman is correct and the snow and tempature continues to fall, we will open the indoor arena for them tonight. If you were here, you might be surprised to find them outside in spite of what we consider terrible weather.
Khalli had a choice as well, she probably got her belly full and is standing on the side of the hill watching the others eat.

Pickaway County, Ohio 60 years ago, Stillwater County, Montana today

Although I have already captured a number of springtime scenes in Montana, I had not planned on this one until I combined our granddaughter Violet and a couple of young lambs from our neighbors ranch. It reminded me of growing up on a farm in Ohio. The youth of spring: calves, lambs, pigs, chicks, and foals make it a very special time of year. As the days start to grow longer, the pastures start turning green, and the new born start frolicking in the fields, we all feel young again. ENJOY.

It happened on the Stillwater River Road

Driving to town on a very windy (30 mph) cold (20 degrees) day, I spotted this red tail hawk sitting on a fence post. I stopped to take this picture and either I spooked it or it was getting cold and needed to exercise to keep warm and off it went.
I was lucky, as it left the fence post, I was ready to capture his flight. Not bad for a transplant from Ohio living in Montana. He didn't go far, landed on another fence post, I followed it up the road and took this picture.


The rest of the story goes like this. After taking these pictures of the Red Tail Hawk, I looked around the area where I had taken these pictures to see if there was anything I had missed. Sure enough, just a few yards from the fence post where I took the first picture was a Golden Eagle feasting on a carcass. Looking around further, I spotted another Red Tail Hawk, and then I saw a bunch of Magpies. The Red Tail Hawks were next in line for dinner followed by the Magpies; and . . . . . . here is the first at the dinner table.

Free ride or Do ewe care

Favorite photograph, week of February 28, 2009

As I was driving down the Grove Creek Road, specifically looking for new born calves, I couldn't help but stop and take this photograph. After some research, I have determined this is a European Starling on the back of the ewe. I image the purpose of the "free ride" is multiple. It's warmer on the back of the ewe than anywhere else, the bird gets an elevated view without spending any energy, and the primary reason is to pick bugs, grubs, or parasites out of the fleece. The baby calves and lambs will be coming soon.

Rock Art, maybe Pet Rock,

This is the latest of Clint's images permanently affixed to a rock. The challenge intially was to figure out how to get the image on the rock. Now, Clint's big challenge is to find interesting rocks so that the final result is both the image and a creative end result. Although the Circle B Bar T Ranch has lots of rocks, finding a somewhat flat and sculptured rock is the difficult part.

You can see the original photograph in the Coyotes in Yellowstone item posted on February 14, 2009.

Spring Training in Montana, update

Today, just 6 days after we previewed the boys in the bull pen, these ladies, there must have been at least 300, were on their way to their home ranch to have their calves. If you note closely, there are no calves with the girls. The typical rancher has the pregnant cows near his home so that he can check them every 2 - 3 hours, 24 hours a day. There could be delivery problems, weak calves, and calves that have not had that first milk, all of which is critical.

You should have seen the boys in the bull pen as the girls passed by. They all came running to the corner of their pasture saying, it must be time, but it wasn't, and they have disappointedly returned to their hay. Sorry I didn't see this event sooner as I missed the picture of the boys. Come back soon, we'll have some pictures of new calves.

Spring Training in Montana

This is not what you expected if you put “Spring Training” in the context of baseball, but what we are sharing with you certainly could happen in most areas of Montana. About the time that baseball gets into full swing, the boys who have been waiting in the “bull pens” for the prior 9 to 10 months, are finally released to do their thing. Just like in baseball, the boys in the bull pen are getting ready, most likely in a different way than you would suspect.

The ball park, pictured below, is much larger. What you see on the right side of the picture, across the warm up lane is the 1000 acre playing field, the bull pen is only about 40 acres on the left side of the picture. The guy in the warm-up lane has crossed the fence from the bull pen in anticipation of the “real game” that he has been waiting for. Last year, a little later in the season, he crossed that same fence, out of the bull pen, worked the lane just long enough to find a spot where he could get into the playing field, unannounced and without the managers approval. He played ball for a couple days until the manager found him and by that time he had given up a lot of hits and several home runs.

The circumstances are all too familiar to him again. He has been in the “bull pen” since late last spring, he remembers his experience from last spring, and we know he is much smarter than the owners give him credit for. So, the day these pictures were taken, he crossed the first fence, worked the warm up lane, and was checking out the fence into the playing field. Unfortunately for him, his owners found him and returned him to the bull pen.

Come back often and we’ll share some of his hits from last year,

A Special Valentines Day card

I remember you in the youth of our days . . .
Your soft gentle lips; your playful ways
Your warm breath on my cheek
Young love in your gaze . . .

I remember the excited anticipation
with which we rode into the hills
And let ourselves go, exploring new found skills
In flowered mountain pastures,
surrendering to our wills . . .

We rode bare back together
until our motion was one
The blue moon over the Teton's
our witts undone
By the passions of youth until the clear morning sun
Broke sparkling like diamonds and we had become one.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The years came and went yet we shared the same trail
It wasn't always easy, there were storms, rain, & hail
There was lighting and thunder,
mighty winds left clouds tattered
But we faced them together and that is what mattered.

Now, my beauty there is silver in your golden hair
But it still floats on the wind
and the trail we still share,
It matters not that we grow long in the tooth
for your soft gentle lips are as they were in your youth

I still feel your warm breath/ It caresses my check
and we still wander high trails over the mountains still seek
The wonder of it all; the beauty and the truth
And we'll get there together as we did in our youth

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Now here is your Valentine on Valentine's Day
I just wanted you to know so I thought I would say
That I really don't think it matters, of course,
that I give you this Valentine,
even though you're my horse.

To Babe with love,
Tom
(c) copyright, Tom Wolfe

Circle B Bar T looks like this

This is what Circle B Bar T looks like. This is a crystal replica of our brand that was give to us in the summer of 2008 by Chris and Hal Harnden of Fremont, Ohio. This hangs in one of the front panes in our home, overlooking our property, the Grove Creek, and the Beartooth Mountains. It was in the early fall when the picture of the brand was taken, hence the golden look of the pastures. Hal is not only Chris's husband, but also the crystal artist.

Chris and Hal made the trip to Montana to meet, Miss Ellie, a young Arabian filly that they had purchased from us. More significant that the purchase was the full circle of Chris and Marty's relationship. They are both from Fremont, Ohio and when they were teenagers, their fathers introduced them to the world of Arabian Horses. They both had Arabians and that was the start. Marty got back into the Arabian world when we moved to Fishtail in 1999. Chris found Marty via the internet looking for a horse and the rest is history.