March 31, 2016 - Two photographs taken from the yard about sunup this morning; whitetails behind the aspens, and just a few minutes later a small band of elk out front above the house by the Duck Pond - this is Wyoming at the foot of the Bighorns.  I wish I could have added the sounds of the pair of Sandhill Cranes that were calling then too.

March 30, 2016 - The Sandhill Cranes are beginning to return for the season.  This pair is in the pasture near the PK Ranch gate.  We are getting some much appreciated moisture.

March 29, 2016 - Oops, sorry, I forgot that the day before yesterday was Easter.  In Wyoming we rely principally on the White-tailed Jackrabbit to deliver the eggs; due to the rabbit's superior size and speed, and his familiarity with the wide open country.  This is a well guarded secret, as you might imagine. 

March 28, 2016 - At sunrise this morning, a mule deer buck with antlers shed and ribs showing; winter's end.

March 27, 2016 - An old Wyoming postcard; slightly reminiscent.

March 26, 2016 - A pink Wyoming sunrise out front this morning, and....

.......five years ago this morning we were watching the Sandhill Cranes staging on the Platte River in Nebraska for their flight north.  It was the year we saw the Eurasian Crane in with the Sandhills.

March 25, 2016 - Devil's Kitchen, Wyoming (2016.03.22). Post #2 of 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 24, 2016 - Devil's Kitchen, Wyoming (2016.03.22).  Post #1 of 2.

March 23, 2016 - We had 6" of wet snow last night; grey and dark this morning.  The mountains are shrouded in clouds.

March 22, 2016 - Owen Creek willows on top of the mountain today.  More from this trip in later days.

March 21, 2016 - A view of the big country way out back.  Prairie colors are buckskin and blue this time of year.  The photograph was taken from Teepee Ring Hill this morning.  Left horizon to right: Bighorn Mountains, Teller Mesa, and Wolf Mountains.  I like to call this photo "4688 miles from Paris".  Private joke.

 

 

March 20, 2016 - A close up of Grey-crowned Rosy Finch colors.  First day of spring.

March 19, 2016 - The Big Dipper and North Star out back this morning at 6am.  I want to try this again on a moonless night when it is darker.  I hope this picture shows up.

March 18, 2016 - This is the view from near the top of Graham Hill looking north this morning; in comparison to yesterday's St. Patrick's photo of Graham Hill looking south in June.  There are snow squalls passing along the face of the mountain today. 

March 17, 2016 - Faith and begorrah!  Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Today happens to be my 200th entry here; my 200th day of retirement.  Here is a photo for St. Pat's; this is the Emerald Isle of Wyoming.  Notice the leprechans in chaps and pots of gold at the ends of the double rainbow.  This photo was taken one afternoon in June looking south up Graham Hill.  The rainbow spanned the county road. 

 

 

March 16, 2016 - The Ouzels are busy working on their moss nest down at the creek this morning.

March 15, 2016 - A pheasant making the rounds at sunrise this morning.

March 14, 2016 - The chipmunks just came out of hibernation this last week.  I count three about the yard.  This one has been gathering bird seed and has the cheeks to prove it.

March 13, 2016 - The aspen in front of the cabin was bright this morning.

March 12, 2016 - This is an American Goldfinch just beginning to moult into summer plumage.  We have a few of these birds around most of the winter; but there have been quite a few in the yard this week.

 

 

March 11, 2016 - One of the last few Common Redpolls that remain around the yard today.  Most have begun to move up north again.

March 10, 2016 - The white gate at sunrise this morning.

March 9, 2016 - The view from Rattlesnake Ridge yesterday morning.

March 8, 2016 - A pair of old spurs in the cabin.

March 7, 2016 - This is the final group of photographs from the Yellowstone trip last week.  These photos were taken in the vicinity of Mammoth Hot Springs and the town of Gardiner near Gardiner River and Canyon:

    
     Sunrise on Electric Peak
          Elk in the sage slopes northeast of Mammoth
     The view south of Mammoth looking north out of Yellowstone Park
          Gardiner River Canyon below Mammoth

March 6, 2016 - Elk below Mammoth Hot Springs, bison near Blacktail Plateau, bighorn rams above Lamar River, and bison above Gardiner River in Yellowstone National Park.

March 5, 2016 - Four photographs taken last Monday in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone Park.

* Rabbitbrush and willows at the confluence of Lamar River & Soda Butte Creek.
** Panoramic view up Lamar Valley from the hill above the confluence.
*** Looking down the valley toward Lamar Canyon from the old picnic spot.
**** Bison Hills near Rose Creek.

March 4, 2016 - Winter birds along the Gardiner River in Yellowstone on a bright day; two pairs of Canada Geese, a Mallard drake, and a Water Ouzel.