The summer sun has melted the snow up high reducing the flow in this streamed to no more than a trickle. Even so, this stream bed was a place where butterflies met perhaps to get a drink of water or maybe a taste of the minerals on the rocks lining the stream bed.
While crossing the steam we took a long break to watch the butterflies do their thing. From Fritillaries, to Admirals and Skippers the stream bed was the place to be that day for butterflies and humans alike.
Looks like things are in order as Mom swims along with eight little ones in tow.
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.
Three big birds on one little rock made seemingly made for two. A full house indeed yet still a good place to pull up out of the current and just watch the water pass on by. American White Pelicans along the Madison River.
An adult White Crowned Sparrow looks to have found an interesting meal.
I can’t say it better than it is stated in this NY Times article “There’s simply no way to talk about the beauty of Orobanche uniflora without raising a lot of eyebrows.”
Commonly called Naked Broomrape or sometimes Flowered Cancer Root this wonderful flower with unflattering common names was a new one to us when we came across it in meadow on a recent hike.
It is a short leafless plant unable to photosynthsize thus gaining it’s nutrients by parasitism. Often using sedum, saxifrages and asters as a host plant. Typically growing only up to 3 inches tall we found this cluster buried deep in the grass.
It is a beautiful little flower and very unique to say the least.
A day spent winding your way through open spaces is indeed a day well spent. From morning encounters with resting Elk to views of the mountains beyond.
The mid-day sun shines bright but a gentle breeze blows to cool things down.
As mid-day passes to afternoon the clouds begin to build and signal it’s time to go down.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and perhaps some time in your favorite space.
On a recent hike through open grasslands with a few conifers mixed in we had a close encounter with this Northern Harrier who must of been defending a nearby nest. They were making plenty of noise and circling around above us as we walked the trail below. Occasionally they would dive bomb us flying straight overhead but never actually trying to make contact with us. We just pushed on through their territory walking a bit faster with each dive bombing pass yet pausing to watch this beautiful birds pass so close. Once we had ventured out of their space peace was had for all.
On a recent hike across sage-lands dotted with forest the Sparrows were distant yet constant companions.
Painted Brush also called Indian Paint Brush has been blooming thick this summer in mountain meadows and sage-lands alike. It is one of our favorite wildflowers and comes in so many colors it begs the question of which we like best. Todays flavor is orange but that is certainly subject to change.
An even bigger question is do you order a single scoop, a double scoop or….
just sit down at the edge of the meadow and and enjoy the whole carton.
A blue dragonfly perched and overlooking the greenest of summers green.
Welcome to August. The month that seems ruled by dragonflies and where the birds have ceased their songs. In August the the summer sun still sines bright and burns hot yet the green slowly slips to brown. The dog days of summer some say yet the wildflowers still bloom, insects buzz about and plenty of time left to enjoy bounty that summer brings. Still time to hike, swim or just laze around and enjoy the summer sun. Overall August is not so bad.
nature has no boss 
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