The beauty around Livingston, Montana

 

Sunrise over Hayden Valley in Yellowstone Park

Misty morning over Yellowstone River coming out of Yellowstone Lake

Looking south over vast Yellowstone Lake

Just the birds we were looking for - Barrow's Goldeneyes

Barrow's Goldeneyes taking flight

One of the many steam vents along the road

Bison looking good with their winter coats shed

Our surprise bird of the day -Williamson's Sapsucker

White-crowned Sparrows singing on territory

Yellow-bellied Marmot

You can't see me now

Sticky (Purple Crane's-bill) Geranium

Little Sunflower

We took a ride north to Clyde's Park and west along Bracket Creek Road.

A distant Prairie Falcon flew toward these cliffs

We turned around at the base of the Bridger Mountains

Another rock outcrop along the road

Shield's River

Steep bank from which......

Six deer slid down this extreamly steep bank including this young buck

Veery juvenile in the center of this photo

Bird of the day was this Clark's Nutcracker

Musk Thistle

Goat's Beard

Richardson's Geranium

Back near the RV Park our fledging Flicker family (say that fast three times)

Red-shafted Flickers vacated the cavity that day

The Osprey at Sacajawea Park brings back a huge Sucker to the family

Female and three young await another "catch of the day"

Female decides she doesn't have quite enough sticks on the nest.

Young are watching and learning

Another trip took us southeast of Livingstone on Swingley Road

Buck Pronghorn 

Mountain Bluebird

Bullock's Oriole female

Lazuli Bunting

Spotted Towhee

Least Chipmunk

Large White-tailed Buck...

He walked closer and stuck out his tongue at the photographer.

Boulder Creek - a beautiful rushing stream

Absaroka Mountains near Livingston Peak

Blocking the road near Twelve Springs Ranch (Tom Brokaw's home)

was this 4 foot+ long Prairie Rattlesnake.

Coiled into defensive posture as Ty approached - rattling it's warning!

Prairie Cone Flower

(Mexican Hat)

When not birding in the field we put together this 1,000 piece Western Bird puzzle.

120 birds, all of which we have seen in the wild.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann

Paradise Valley Montana

 

As we continue our stay in Livingston, we never tire of seeing the mountains that surround us.

Swallowtail Butterfly

We took a ride up Fleshman Creek Road and found this herd of Mule Deer

Mule Deer doe climbing up the rocky hillside.

Followed by a beautiful buck in velvet

This was our target bird for the day - Piñion Jay

Piñion Jay flock visits feeder

Osprey female and one of the two fast growing chicks

Osprey male delivers a trout for the hungry family

Osprey female flies out to get another branch to add to the nest

Look out kids, new branch coming in!

Red-shafted Flicker male

Flicker probing for grubs

Female Flicker peeks out of nest cavity

Black-billed Magpies growing fast

But still food begging!

Pine Mushroom

Prickly Pear Cacti blooms in ranch pasture

We took a ride south along Paradise Valley to Tom Miner Road in the Gallitin National Forest.

Mountain Bluebird singing and collecting insects for nestlings.

Dusky (Blue) Grouse

Grouse pair picking up grit along the road.

Male Dusky Grouse shows bright yellow eyebrow.

Female Dusky Grouse

Vesper Sparrows nesting at the 8,000 foot elevation

Curious Ground Squirrel responds to pishing.

Pronghorn Antelope

Doe Antelope poses.

Elk cow

Elk cow, calf and yearling

Elk calf grazing under irrigation boom

Elk calf stops grazing long enough to smile for camera

Red-breasted Nuthatch fledgling

Big Mule Deer buck reaching for apples

You looking at me?  Checking out the neighborhood, house is 15 feet away.

Oh-oh, someone's coming!

Time to high-tail it out of here!  Easily clears the fence.

Daryl & Vicki celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

Along with Toby they are great hosts and we are enjoying our time together.

Absoroka still has lingering mid summer snow on Independence Day.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann