Apparantely I have exceeded my quota of posts on this site so I would urge all those following to join me on my facebook site where I continue daily my OUTDOOR ADVENTURES.

The sun has risen lighting the badlands east of Dubois accentuating its canyons and spires.  It becons to one-Come and hike and explore and discover my many secrets, canyons and wildlife.  But come on my terms.  Be willing to leave all cares behind.  Be willing to sweep everyday work and appointments out of your mind and let yourself go.  Here you will find meaning within your life and be reluctant to leave.

It has been fun watching the wildlife that has shown up in our area such as this Mule Deer Buck who along with a number of does and fawns and one other two point buck.  They certainly have acted like they are in charge and what are we doing here?

There are just so many adjectives one could use in describing the magnificence of Bighorn Rams.  The really hold their heads with deep pride in showing off to the ladies around and also use horn display and gestures as intimidating objects to the other rams in their midst.

Such a wonderful array of color, texture and design on the willows along Torrey Creek highlighted by the soon to be setting sun

As the waters of the surrounding countryside freeze up more and more Waterfowl are showing up on the river where for a distance of about 15 miles beginning above Dubois on downriver the waters never freeze from the hot springs that feed into it.  This creates a winter paradise for waterfowl such as these Canadian Geese and Goldeneyes who themselves have spent the warm months in the high mountain lakes.

With the onset of winter the glaciers are no longer melting sending their discharge down Torrey Creek.  It is now a stream reduced in size to the point it looks to be way too small for its streamed.  It has uncovered boulders and stream bottom entities that are hidden from view throughout the warmer months.  The low light of day catches the willows, grasses and boulders. and snow in an array of light and design.

Dubois is known for many things in the natural world.  Foremost is its Bighorn Sheep herd.  The largest in the United States.  Right now they are coming down from the high country and establishing their positions in the Boys club and vying for the attention of the ladies.  It can be spectacular in the ways they go about this and folks worldwide are in the area with cameras and paintbrushes trying to capture the events.  There are several film Crews doing videography including National Geographic, National PBS, and the BBC from England.  I myself took yesterday afternoon off and shot a few pictures including this Ram that seemed intent on having his picture taken.         

Vicki called me down from my studio the other morning informing me that this fellow was tearing into one of our Junipers big time.  I got his picture as he strolled by the dining room window.

Monday morning the temperature is up but only because the gusty winds that makes the teens brutal.  Mule Deer are huddled down in the Sagebrush nearly out of sight as they await better conditions to venture out for browsing.

Sunday morning it is an even zero degrees.  The snow is crusty with the cold that crunches noisily underfoot.  Living accomodations such as these tepees up the river from my house might be a bit cold today.

Winter began in  earnest friday with first some snow then [very unusual for this country]turned to rain then back to snow in the afternoon.  By Saturday morning there was 4" on the ground.  And cold.

Horses at the Lava Creek Ranch along the Wind River peacefully enjoy the late afternoon sun grazing away on grasses that within days will dissapear under a heavy coat of white till spring.

Even though we thought winter was upon us last week the weather has turned unbelievably warm melting snow high up in the mountains so we still await winter.  All our leaves are gone and we wait.  The willows along the Wind River reflect the last light of day as the sun sets over the Wind River Mountains and the Wind River itself gives in to the approaching shadows of night.

Our wether has once again turned abnormally warm with a lot of melting going on even at high elevations.

I took the afternoon off at the gallery yesterday to do a little hiking and found myself dropping [sliding is more the term for it as the warm temperatures had melted the snow to the point it was pure mud underfoot]into a little canyon of Black Rock Creek west of the continental divide.  It took a little scrambling over steep l=slopes and willows and was surprised when I came upon a well traveled game trail that crossed the creek at this point.  Many of the areas wildlife have used this as a crossing point.  I was able to identify elk, deer, moose, a coyote, a wolf and a Grizzly in the melting snow.  Looking at the lay of the land it is obvious just why this crossing would be so.

The other day I posted a photo from my studio of the morning sunrise.  Last night was even more spectacular as God again painted the sunset from my studio.

The East Fork river valley is a picturesque area that masterfully catches the colors of sunrise and sunset in such a spectacular way.

Thousands of acres were purchased by the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission some years ago and though quite controversial at the time it has proven to be  a stroke of genius what with the habitat it has protected and provided for all wildlife not just for the elk winter range it was mainly bought for.

For the artist and photographer it is heaven on earth.

The big Mule Deer bucks have been moving into the valley as they do every year.  I have seen several pretty nice ones and sunday morning at daybreak I went in search of them.  One particular large fellow has been hanging around the Blue Holes area and sure enough that is where I found him.  He is a beauty as large bucks go with that second white spot on his neck.  He was with a number of does and fawns and while they stood watching me he immediately began heading nonchalantley toward the river.  I was afraid he would not stop for his portrait but in true Mule Deer fashion he did and turned perfectly for this picture.

 Togwotee Pass at nearly 10,000 feet in elevation.

Every nook and cranny is accentuated with light and dark from the early morning sun.  It appears as if the whole landscape has had Marshmallow cream poured upon it.

Mount Moran rises majestically above the Buffalo River valley of Jackson Hole.  A lone wisp of a low cloud will burn off within an hour or two in the rising sun.  

It will be another day in paradise

About five miles west of the continental divide crossing Togwotee Pass one suddenly breaks out of a patch of timber and the first view of the Teton come into view.  Spread out across the horizon it is spectacular and always something new in the moods it shows off.  

Very soon the willows pictured here will be completely obliterated under a deep covering of snow not to reappear until late May or early June of next year.