Today is the last day of deer season in Montana.
This big, healthy buck has been around a bit with his harem of two. He is gorgeous as well as vigilant – he stayed mostly in the trees while the does ventured very near the house.
Moss and lichen off fallen branches as well as directly off the trees attracted the does into the yard and within ten feet of the house.
Hope we see them again.
Thanksgiving afternoon…
Big sky, wind softened clouds, fields of wheat and hay giving way to the Continental Divide topped by early snow – classic northwest Montana scenery under a late afternoon Thanksgiving sky.
The dying garden and browning grass tell the rest of the story…December approaches and although it is not officially Winter until December 21, in Montana, Winter weather tends to jump the gun. We had a taste of it in early October and a few reminders since.
In Montana: Fall fades.
That’s Steve’s Explorer… Karl gets picked up mid-morning most days now and off they go on errands, photo stops and a walkabout or two.
Yesterday was a Wayfarer’s day. Karl leads Steve on the “Winter” route which ends by the lake for a drink.
It gives me the shivers just looking at Karl in that cold, gray water.
Apparently, the Explorer meets with Karl’s approval and/or he doesn’t want to get out and be left. I haven’t been there with the camera, but when Steve leaves without him, the description of having a hangdog expression becomes crystal clear.
The waxing half…amazing that it appeared this evening as the sky was cloudy all day. The sun appeared briefly late afternoon, but from my office/sunroom window, it was a mostly gray, socked in, “wish I was in front of the woodstove” kind of day.
Karl and I walked down the driveway in the almost Winter dark of early evening and the half moon appeared amidst the cloud cover so we walked by the light of the moon.
As we hit the beginning of the loop walk, the setting sun was lighting just a few peaks to the northeast.
We missed the bright light but a bit of after glow hit another spot.
Karl found the spot he likes – his spot to survey the territory, smell the air and take in the evening.
The skies have continued to be mostly gray. The air is damper than usual making temperatures in the 40’s (F) feel bone chilling cold. There have been snow squalls, periods of pouring rain and sleet, mornings when there is a dusting of snow but except for the bizarre early October blizzard, this late fall has been mostly dry.
The larch have lost maybe half their needles, leaving a barren bit of gold in the foothills underneath the gray skies of November.
