Marty’s photo of the day #5039: I reached the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge (in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana) shortly after sunrise this morning. I photographed birds for a couple hours, and then, as I was leaving, I spotted a group of six baby Columbian ground squirrels. They were adorable!
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Tag: Montana
The Artsy Red-winged Blackbird
Marty’s photo of the day #5032: Today we go artsy with this wing-shot of a red-winged blackbird. (Photographed in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.)
The In-flight Challenge
Marty’s photo of the day #5029: I love the challenge of catching birds in flight. I photographed this yellow-headed blackbird earlier this week at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Montana.
The Patient Osprey
Marty’s photo of the day #5027: I just missed photographing this osprey as it tried to grab a fish off the surface of the water. After that, I watched and shot photos as it sat on this branch, waiting for another opportunity. Alas, the bird had more patience waiting for another fish to surface than […]
The Moose Photo Assistant
Marty’s photo of the day #5023: Yesterday I was experimenting with different camera settings and lenses to prepare for a couple international trips and needed a subject to photograph. That’s when this big bull moose showed up and said, “I’ll pose for you!” (Photographed on the Essen Wildlife Refuge in Montana.)
Snow Geese Against the Mountains
Marty’s photo of the day #4994: Here’s a second photo from yesterday at Freezeout Lake (45 miles northwest of Great Falls, MT). The official migrating snow goose count yesterday was 51,500 (down from the peak of 63,500 a day earlier). Last night, when Deb and I went over all the photos I shot, she commented […]
Insurance Rates and Chainsaw Cheri
I’ve never been without insurance, but insurance companies piss me off nevertheless. About a month ago, Hartford Insurance sent me their annual home and auto insurance bills. The auto stayed about the same, but the home increased from $3,600.00 to $7,728.00. I’ve had Hartford for many years, and the only claim I’ve ever made on […]
Canada Geese in Flight
Marty’s photo of the day #4891: Canada geese in flight. Photographed in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.
Prairie Dog
Baby Duck Cuteness
Marty’s photo of the day #4879: If you live in America, where the party in power gets its rocks off by being divisive, vindictive, and cruel, it’s important to keep in mind that their time is limited. Most of us will see their fall. In the meantime, here’s some baby duck cuteness to reflect on. […]
Somewhere in Montana
The Bitter Bitterroot Valley
Marty’s photo of the day #4875: This photo is from a hike along the Bitterroot River in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana earlier this week. As beautiful as this scene is, 69 percent of the people in the valley voted for Trump—meaning they are bitter about anyone who isn’t straight, bitter about anyone who isn’t […]
The Colorful Bitterroot Valley
Martha the Moose
Marty’s photo of the day #4863: This is Martha the moose. She is a part-time resident of the Essen Wildlife Refuge (Montana).
Look at Those Eyes
Marty’s photo of the day #4825: While nowhere near the size of spiders I’ve seen in the Amazon Rainforest, Australia, or Borneo, this is the biggest spider I’ve seen in Montana. I tried to identify it but couldn’t find an exact match. I think it’s a wolf spider subspecies. Look at those eyes! (You may […]
Full Belly
Marty’s photo of the day #4824: Deb, Nellie, and I were enjoying a picnic dinner yesterday along the Bitterroot River when this garter snake swam by. Based on the large lump in the snake’s belly, it too had enjoyed a picnic dinner! (Photographed in Montana)
Sci-Fi Beetle
Marty’s photo of the day #4792: Coming to a science-fiction movie soon! White-spotted sawyer beetle, photographed on the Essen Wildlife Refuge, Montana.
Looking Down on the Bitterroot Valley
Looking at You
Marty’s photo of the day #4773: Spruce grouse, photographed at the Essen Wildlife Refuge in Montana.
Mother and Calf Moose
Last Week at the Essen Wildlife Refuge: Some of you may remember my story from back in April, when Deb and I were hiking on the far side of the refuge. Our dog, Nellie, came running towards us with a moose in hot pursuit! My wife and I raced for a cluster of trees, but […]



















