Paradise, Montana that is… The Clark Fork River Valley is a beautiful river valley west of Flathead Valley. The drive there is along Flathead Lake for 25 miles and then east over the southern Bitterroots to Plains and then Paradise, Montana. We drove to several high points and along the river.
A day in Paradise.
Two weeks ago I linked from another blog to Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton. The tag lines on the blog are:
“Charlie came into my life when he was just ten days old, orphaned after both his parents were killed. He lives with me and a tomcat in Wyoming. “
Charlie is a wild born coyote, dumped on her doorstep. I am not a fan of wild animals for pets, but that is not what happened and the author, Shreve Stockton, has been very clear and direct about the risk and difficulty, but also honest about her inability to let the pup just die. It is one of those things that strikes me as a kind of crossroads-opportunity that ultimately shapes your life in ways you could not imagine…at least that is what I glean from what I read. She has a book coming out in the fall and I’m looking forward to it – the photos on her blog are beautiful, charming and tell a story themselves. Her writing evokes a sense of her intelligence, observation and openness to opportunity – understanding and considering the risks and being willing to live and learn from her choices. Through her photos and writing she has become to me a person I would love to meet.
Last Thursday, Owen Ford and her site H.O.P.E.S. were introduced on the Daily Coyote site. H.O.P.E.S. is a non-profit ~ Helping Our Planet’s Endangered Species. Owen Ford is a 13 year old girl. Owen set up H.O.P.E.S. to raise money for WWF (World Wildlife Fund) by selling her artwork. Wow! It is not all that easy to put yourself out there with an organization to raise money for a cause you are passionate about as an adult. At an age when most are thinking only about themselves and what they can get and have and do, this young woman is spending her time researching, reading, working, networking and accepting help. Another person I would love to meet!
I would like to encourage everyone who enjoys From the Front Porch to use the links above and meet these people via their blogs and if so inclined, there is information on H.O.P.E.S. about the auction of her art that Owen is using to raise money for WWF as well as the opportunity to donate directly should you have an interest in doing that. I hugely admire people who live their lives with passion and authenticity and I believe Owen Ford and Shreve Stockton do that – hope you enjoy their sites as much as I do!
Karl and Bob say “Go WWF, Go Owen, Hey to Charlie and Shreve – also Eli (the tomcat) and Chloe (new puppy)”!
Karl and his friend Bella, a 1/2 Karelian-1/2 Yellow Lab – April 2003 on Flathead Lake while the lake was at its pre-runoff low. We got to the sand from Somers. The dogs ran in the sand, seemingly just for the joy of running.
It was one of those idyllic mornings – still, beautiful, serene.
In the early morning hours for the past week, the moon has been bright in the southern sky. Karl and I usually head down the driveway for our early “perimeter patrol” about 5 a.m. He wears his lighted collor (neon blue LED strip) and I carry a flashlight but I don’t like to turn it on unless I really need it. A month past the equinox, it is still fairly dark at 5 a.m. but with the recent bright morning moonshine, the moonbeams through the trees have been plenty of light.
It was hot yesterday, topping out at just below 90. Forecast clouds kept the temp above 60 all night and this morning, the air was still and a bit heavy for Montana. That extra bit of humidity, the stillness, the crickets – summer sounds that signal a warm day and hopefully some rain. But it was the clouds around the bright, morning moon that inspired me to get the camera AND the tripod and see what I could capture. More and more frequently, I have been shooting in manual mode and feeling every more comfortable with my ability to get the exposure I’m looking for – helped by a little camera that has some great “through the viewer” meters. The first photo above was cropped and lightened a bit. The photos below are cropped but otherwise straight out of the camera.
And, of no particular relevance to the photos or looking up…all morning, I’ve had this song running through my mind:
Slow down, you move too fast
You’ve got to make the morning last
Just kickin’ down the cobble stones
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy!
(La,la,la,la,la,la, feelin’ groovy)
….
Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life, I love you, all is groovy!
The 59th Bridge Street Song, “Feelin’ Groovy” – Simon and Garfunkel
Hope you and yours are “feelin’ groovy” this Monday morning and that things are “looking up” in whatever you are doing.
Several weeks ago it was reported through the neighborly grape vine that a female grizzly and twin cubs were in the area. I started avoiding the 40 acres of state land that is part of our walking loop – it is brushy without any real paths, contoured enough that it is hard to see over and around … it just seemed prudent to avoid that area for a bit. It is/was unlikely that she would stick around – there is no food source and too much (relatively) people activity to be comfortable. At any rate, it has been weeks and no more sightings and more importantly no scat to be found…and believe me, Karl would find it if it was there. Bear scat is his most favorite doggie cologne – it is incredibly rank…
The “maps” above show the lay of the land here. On the plat – the yellow block is my 8 acres. The loop to the “right” (east) goes across subdivision land that is 5-10 acre parcels. There is only one house and no sign of any other activity – I hope for some time. The home that is there is only occupied occasionally. The homeowners also own several of the other parcels and ok’d my walking there when they are not in residence. That is the part of the walk with the spectacular mountain views and meadows as the original developer went a bit crazy with tree clearing.
The loop to the north (top of the map) is on the 40 acre state land. That parcel is landlocked and so only adjacent owners and people granted access by owners are out there. I have seen another person(s) twice in nearly two years and never any tracks but my own in the winter. The state selectively logged this land several years ago – nicely, leaving good, healthy trees. The land has retained its natural look. The selective cut made the area more fire-safe as well as healthier.
Karl and I are back to walking the full loop. The “neighbors” have gone to their full time home, the bears to their summer home.
…somebody lives there, but we did not stop to visit or inquire…
…somebody slept there – actually several somebodies as there was a group of spots…probably the deer as some very small spots and there are a number of does with fawns around.
It is nice to be back in the woods.