Last Full Day in Montana~

In this post we will be leaving the Glacier National Park area, heading back to Missoula, Montana by way of some of the many state parks and forest systems, and then begin the journey back home.

We drove the scenic loop like we did last year, passing through the areas of Salmon Lake, Swan River National Forest, Seeley Lake, Lolo State Park, and Flathead National Forest.

Going in the Spring would be a wonderful colours showing, but we always enjoy travel during the early Autumn months and the colour changes are stunning.

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

We had driven past what I thought to be a very large bird and the husby stopped so that I could take a look-see.  I was thrilled when I walked back and saw this gorgeous possibly female, due to the size, Red-tailed Hawk~

So many wonderful colours and textures in nature's paint box~

From everything that we could see, this little Pine Squirrel and more like it, were going to have plenty to eat for the Winter.  With deep snow, freezer cold temperatures, and non hibernating creatures... you have to wonder, how they survive~

When we travel, we stop often to walk the dogs.  It gives us a chance to move about, take in fresh air and they enjoy all of the travel perks too.  Soon to be 7 year old Meaka on left and Silveit turns 2 in January.

Magpie below~

Now this below caused me to lose sleep, wondering if the man made it to his loved one at hospital, as well as to who would care for his dog, once they arrived.  I wondered how much further he had to travel this way...I still wonder about it~

The morning that we were leaving Grouse Mountain Lodge, the soccer fields were covered in Gulls enjoying the morning light.  I had made my way toward them, very quietly and was taking a few images, when a woman approached and up went her hands.  She smile and said "Glad that I could be of some help"  What?  Oh well, the flight images do look much more beautiful then they did basking in the morning sun on the ground~

More Autumn colours~

A Mallard Duck had been safely hiding when the husby and our dogs showed up and accidentally startled it, but I was ready~

Meaka on left and Silveit with my husby~

Farewell to Montana, hoping to see you again one day, not too many moons from now~

Welcome to the Rocky Mountains National Park~

In order to get beyond our long journey images and posts, I am going to log in 2 posts with Mosaic Monday and Wildbird Wednesday this week.
I hope that no one will mind. I just have so many images that I had wanted to share and this was the best way that I could think of to do it.

Have a wonderful day and a blessed week~

When you first arrive in Estes Park, Colorado, the first thing that you will see is the famous Stanley Hotel,
which is well known for it's beautiful architecture.
F.O. Stanley had to move west due to poor health in 1903. 
He purchased 160 acres of land in Estes Park and built the main building of the hotel. 
Many of the 11 original buildings are still used today.
It is located near the entrance to the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park. 
The Stanley Hotel also became famous when it was used on the setting for the now famous movie made from Stephen King's novel...

"The Shining"

Happy Monday, happy week, be safe and take care~

I am linking up with Mary for:

"Mosaic Monday" 

at:http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ 

 &

I am linking up with Stewart at:

Wild Bird Wednesday

(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/) 

This was our fourth journey to Estes Park in 6 years...we love it!
The weekend when we arrived, was during Elk Festival.
The Elk were in rut and they were roaming everywhere in town, as well as the Rocky Mountains National Park.
As we entered the park early one morning, I saw dozens of people all set up along the road with cameras and tripods. I thought to myself... why are they standing so far away... they need to be at least a little bit closer to the action and so... I lead the way, out into the meadow lands, and it seemed I was the Pied Piper, for others followed me, and we got some amazing images to bring home. 
At one time their were 5 and then 7 bulls all trying to gain the attention of one harem of cows.

If you have never heard a bull Elk bugeling, just go to this site and you will hear the awesomeness ;')~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phib36cTLiI
 

 

 

The bulls bugle all day and all night long and I love the sound...the husby...not so much~

 

 

The beauty of this special place for us, is always changing, always glorious~

The pallet of colours was also really beautiful. 
The Aspen trees were ready to drop their colour for the winter~

 

If I am not mistaken...I do believe this bull is smiling at me!  OK well... maybe not~

 

 

Below is a Chickaree, and, or Pine Squirrel and they seem to be on constant guard, barking orders off and on all day long~

The quaking Aspen trees sound like whispers coming from heaven, their leaves sound like tissue paper rustling together as the wind calls their name and beckons them to the ground this time of year~

 

The Least Chipmunk is an adorable chap, with much personality~

By early afternoon, the bulls were still at it, trying to gain the attention of all of the ladies in the crowd~

I had walked up into an area with boulders to try and get close to a Mule Deer buck, when I saw the little Least Chipmunk with something in it's mouth.  The more that I have examined this image, instead of food, I do believe that it was a female, moving a young one to a new area~

I actually did not get very many images this season of the Black-billed Magpies...this one was strutting it's stuff for me~

Now this was a Big Surprise!
I had told the husby that I was going to take a walk and left the cabin in search of an Albert's Squirrel. 
I was standing in the lane, observing a Mule Deer doe, and something ran past the left side of me.
In less than a minute, there it was, really, really very close to me!
It was an American Badger just staring...in my direction.
My next thought was, oh my, do I need to be afraid, but I just kept taking photographs.  
If I was in danger, it was going to be saved forever in images...
Mary Howell Cromer, taken down by an American Badger in Estes Park, Colorado, 
the newsprint would say ;'(  
OK enough of the dramatics...
It then began to cross the lane warily and went about digging around a tree trunk, for something other than me...whew, and so I continued on with the photo shoot;') 
It was beginning to get dark, and so I was thrilled that I got any nice images~

Since I did not get to see, or photograph an Albert's Squirrel the first day of our stay, I went looking for one the second afternoon of our stay.

I had just about given up, with there it was and it was running! 
Unlike the Gray Squirrels here, that will take off and run immediately up a tree, these guys just keep running across land and they are so difficult to catch. 
I just kept walking in the direction this little cutie was going and it finally gave up the chase and went up a pine tree, for which I was very thankful.

The thinner air and higher altitude were not working in my favor~

The last time we visited, I could only find one Albert's Squirrel too...hmm, wonder if this is the same one from 2 years ago...it could be.  
I just think they are about the cutest squirrels going with those tall tuffs of fur on their ears.
My 9 year old grandson Thomas said "It looks like a Ninga Squirrel" ;')~

The Stanley Hotel as we saw it upon our arrival and then 3 others, as the sun was coming up on our last day there~

Steller's Jay...these are such a deep blue in colour, very lovely birds~

The husby happened to see this little Downey Woodpecker as I was getting back into the car.  
I am thinking it is a Downy, rather than a Hairy, but then again, these little guys
are difficult to call sometimes~

A Mule Deer buck and a yearling buck with his first nubs growing in~

And this ends your visit with me to the Rocky Mountains National Park in Estes Park, Colorado.  
If you have never been, you simply must go one day~