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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…

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…

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

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!

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…

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.

We took a really nice day trip to Great Falls and spent some time walking along the Missouri. The sky, water, and colors on the trees was a really nice change of pace from Helena’s (mostly) coniferous forests.

This time of year, I find myself taking a lot of images of skyscapes. Sunrises and longs horizons. I love the colors and the textures that you get when you add a little elvation to the equation- I can’t help it. This one is from the middle slopes of Mount Helena. One of my very…

I guess you never know what you’ll find if you pay attention. I would not have expected to see Prairie Coneflowers still in blossom in middle of September. Yet here they are, right along the LeGrand Canon sidewalk out at the west end. Nice!

Living north of the 45th parallel measn we get long, wonderful days in the summer and looooong dark nights in the winter. It also means that, as we approach the autumnal equinox, we begin losing our morning light and early walks require a headlamp. Today is the first headlamp walk of the year. This was…