Catching Up at Home

While we were in Alaska (July 7th), there was a moose in our backyard -

. . . make that TWO moose!

A week later, we had another young bull moose in the backyard. We were at home, but missed it.

Thank goodness for the trail cameras!

Quite often we've been seeing a long tailed weasel on our trail cameras. It's been around a lot lately, but doesn't stay anywhere very long.

We also occasionally see a raccoon.

This one got a little too close to the camera!

Our trail cameras also catch a lot of birds, like this northern flicker (and the squirrel in the background).

August 1st, along Spring Gulch Road . . .

And on Fish Creek Road -

August 2nd, I spent a little time trying to figure out how to photograph hummingbirds (again). I forget from year to year! (It's a work in progress, and their speed doesn't help!)

Later that day, we went for a quick wildlife drive . . .

. . . and saw a small group of mule deer bucks.

And a moose!

Early on August 3rd, the weasel was back. . . .

And he was back again on August 4th,

and August 5th.

Later in the day, I was back out with the hummers.

August 6th -

We also had a young white-tailed deer in our driveway.

Never did see it's mama.

August 7th -

Later that morning, on a walk behind the house -

Don takes every opportunity he can to fish, including before and/or after our walks! And, he's usually successful.

That evening, I was at it again . . .

August 8th, I saw a couple of chipmunks cavorting in the trees . . .

. . . a dragonfly . . .

. . . and more hummingbirds.

Later that evening, we headed to Shooting Star to hit some golf balls. Don had a golf tournament coming up and since we haven't been playing any play golf, we decided that would be a good use of our time. After hitting balls, we played a couple of holes and then had dinner on the back patio. Some young foxes were playing in the sand on #10. They were a riot to watch!

Does that guy even know those foxes are there?!

That evening, we had a pine marten on one of our trail cameras. First one this year!

August 10th, I was out again with the hummingbirds.

These two were fighting over the flowers. There are more than enough flowers to go around, but they don't like to share.

On August 11th, while Don was playing in his golf tournament, I went on a self-guided wildlife drive. (Self-guided photo trips are a lot more difficult. It's really hard trying to drive & look for wildlife, then photograph them. But, somehow I managed.) And, I found a moose at Sawmill Ponds!

We used to see moose here all the time. Hot temperatures and some road construction has most likely kept them away. It's so exciting to see they have recently begun to return. It's been way too quiet here!

My next stop was at Schwabacher Landing. It used to be a boat landing, but the river has shifted course and you can no longer access the river here. However, it is a favorite spot of photographers and tourists alike. It has to be one of the most beautiful locations in the area. And today, it was particularly beautiful!

There was even some wildlife to photograph!

A chipmunk

and a chizler!

And, oddly enough, I even saw a long-tailed weasel! We had been seeing these for brief moments on our trail cameras, but I had never seen one in person. It was so cool to be able to photograph this cutie.

Early on August 12th, the trail camera at the hot tub recorded an incident. It's a little hard to see in the video below, but if you look closely you will see a squirrel come in from the left, he retreats and returns. Then he jumps up and backwards like he's just been shocked (or maybe surprised) and a weasel sees him and follows him out of the frame. Weasels prey on squirrels, among other things. It's anyone's guess if the weasel caught the squirrel. (Maybe these aren't the cuties I thought they were!)

We also had a western tanager in a pine tree out back -

And, I spent even more time with the hummers.

That evening . . .

August 13th, Don and I went for a wildlife drive and I couldn't resist a photo of these very patriotic hay bales on Spring Gulch Road.

We turned left off of Spring Gulch Road, and saw a heard of very impressive bull elk -

Anne, I'm sure it's no surprise to you, that this was in your old stomping grounds! You always said there were some amazing bulls back there. We finally saw some of them!

And, the trumpeter swans that never fly away have had babies. Six little cygnets now call that pond home. Wonder if they will all stick around like their parents?

Late on August 14th, we had a skinny fox in the backyard -

On August 16th, we left the house early for a road trip to Cody for dinner, the rodeo and a drive along the Chief Joseph and Bear Tooth Highways. We also planned to drive through Yellowstone. Stay tuned for that trip! You won't want to miss it.

But first . . . .

That morning, before we left the house on our road trip, look what the trail cameras captured. A female mountain lion that looks like she's been nursing kittens!

We were long overdue for a big cat visit. The last one that came through was recorded on June 21st. Historically, we've been seeing at least one about every thirty days, and it never appears to be the same one. It was great to see another big cat!

That's it for this edition of BB's Blog. Take good care & have a wonderful week.

Love, Barbara