Nature, every day.

Category: Uncategorized

  • Mammals

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    BradinMontana
    in

    Mammals tend to be fewer and farther between than birds and wildflowers everywhere in the Helena valley. That being said, I have seen a few species around- ground squirrels, deer, antelope, foxes, hares, and the occasional moose. I’ve seen moose three or four times this year. Our moose sighting on July 12 was especially memorable.…

  • Owls

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    BradinMontana
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    It’s been a good monthlong stretch of owl sightings. We’ve seen 5 or 6 Northern Pygmy Owls, a stunning Long-eared Owl, and a seriously intimidating Great Grey. In each case, these were my first ever sightings in the wild. The Great Grey sighting was the most dramatic. Obi and I were on our monring walk…

  • Pseudo Solstice 2024

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    BradinMontana
    in

    Here in Helena today, December 10, 2024, is the start of the celestial dance that results in the light winning the battle over darkness and slowly streaming back into the northern hemisphere. The most well-known part of this dance is the solstice. But the solstice is just moment in time. As is typically the case,…

  • Birds

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    BradinMontana
    in

    I love seeing and hearing birds when I am on a trail. Birds are typically the most common animal anyone ever sees, but most people take them for granted, don’t notice them at all, or curse them for making ‘deposits’ on their car. In my family, we make an effort to find them.  Montana has…

  • Wildflowers

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    BradinMontana
    in

    I’ve had the good fortune to see what I believe are more than 220 species of wildflowers in bloom this year. I believe that I was able to identify 202 of those wildflowers using support from my friends and family, apps, books, the Montana Field Guide/Montana Natural Heritage Program, and iNaturalist.  Are my 202 ID’s…

  • Trail Access and Diversity

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    BradinMontana
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    Helena’s trail diversity and easy access. We have at least 16 trailheads and several miles of paved, accessible pathways in Helena. Trails like Far East, Prospect Shafts, Quarry, Prickly Pear, Rodney Ridge, Swaney, and Rocky Road offer a huge variety of trailscapes, views, time commitments, and levels of challenge all while starting within the city…

  • SnowBow over Ascension

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    BradinMontana
    in

    We had he good forture to see a snow-bow over the top of Mount Ascension on this morning’s mwalk. If that doesn’t draw you out on this National Go For a Hike Day, I suspect nothing will. It’s a bit windy out here, but otherwise quite nice

  • Last Bit of Color

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    BradinMontana
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    If you slow down, and even lie down on the trail, there are a few colors left to enjoy. This was likely the last flowering plant I will see this year. I did not expect to run into any flowers in November, but there you go!

  • Georgetown Lake area

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    BradinMontana
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    This was a shocker. SMR and I slipped away for a few days to celebrate out 30th, and we spent some time hiking and hanging out in the Georgetown Lake area. I would never have guessed that we would find a Harebell in bloom in mid-October, but we did. The colors and scenery around Anaconda…

  • Sunset with a Bird

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    BradinMontana
    in

    We were watching the sunset today and looked up into a tree and realized this Clark’s Nutcracker was doing the same. Nice to know they appreciate a good view.