Winter in Livingston, MT

 

Crazy Mountains northeast of Livingston buried in snow

Red Fox hunting for mice attracts Black-billed Magpie.

Red Fox takes a break from bouncing through the field, checking out the photographer.

Three Sandhill Cranes did not migrate, possible wing damage on one.

We had three days of contiuous snow, over 2 feet, 

Surprise visitor to the feeder, Northern Shrike wasn't looking for seed but songbirds.

It's been 14 years since we have seen the Northern Shrike.

Merlin also stopped by looking for a bird to catch.

Black-billed Magpies, more than usual with the snow

As snow accumulates a deer stops by to see if she can reach the feed

The deer utilized the plowed road rather than plowing through the deep snow.

Bounding through the deep snow was not easy.

This snow depth is unusual for Livingston, 

Deer stayed bedded down for the Arctic blast that followed for three days.

A hint of Spring in the air as days warmed into the 40's but winds still remained 40-60 mph.

Mule Deer - living lawn ornaments.

Mule Deer buck at Sleeping Giant Estates

Mule Deer Buck sports impressive rack, 

Cliffs along Bracket Creek Road west of Clyde's Park, a fun day trip.

Pronghorn Antelope finding grass to eat on the wind-swept hillside.

Buck checks us out as we stop along the roadway.

Bald Eagle feasting on roadkill deer, Magpies hope for a scrap of leftovers.

The Eagle stayed put on the carcass as traffic sped by.

The Eagle allowed us to creep near for some photos

Livingston Peak at Sunrise, looks like a glowing volcano.

Enjoying our first winter here in Montana.

 ❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏🏽

Ty & Ida Baumann

Frosty Montana

 

Ten below zero by the Yellowstone River along Paradise Valley on our way to church.

Yellowstone River stays open along the snowy banks.

Icicles build up on rocks

 

A few Mallards are over-wintering...

And large flocks of Canada Geese which fly out to grain fields to feed.

Flocks return to the river to roost for the night

Belted Kingfisher perching over the river

Mountains in every direction from Livingston

Sun reflects on the clouds and mountains

It's very windy here, at least 2-3 days a week.  (80 mph winds blowing snow off  peaks)

One American Kestrel decided not to migrate.

Bald Eagle perched on irrigation wheel

Eagle flies back to deer carcass

White-tailed deer flashes his white flag

Eurasian Collared-Dove cautious before coming to feeder

Black-billed Magpie gets first dibs in the snowstorm

Red-shafted Flicker loves the white suet.

Someone else has come for dinner - a Merlin, took out a dove which is almost the same size.

One House Finch showed up after weeks of absence.

Big sursprise in our back yard - a flock of Gray Partridge.

Stratching for grass seeds.

Cedar Waxwings flocking to Red Cedar berries.

checking below for other birds feeding..

A large flock of American Robins also attracted to the berries.

Elk have come down from the snowy mountains to find grass to eat.

Not easy digging through the snow to find food

 

Coyote hunting for mice, jumping into the snow at any movement or sound.

Frosty branches sparkling like diamonds in the sun.

Black-capped Chickadee

Bighorn lamb scratches the snow away exposing the grass

Bighorn young ram chomping on some grass

Bighorn Ram running to the river for a drink.

We drove back down to Corwin Springs to see how the sheep were making it through the winter.

Mountain scene outside our "Mountain Bible Church" last Sunday morning.

Enjoying our first winter after 13 years of going south for the winter.

❤️  Love & Prayers 🙏 

Ty & Ida Baumann