Kolden "Crooked Creek" Report, Day Five

Another fine day presented itself after hearing "scritching" noises coming from what sounded like ERv's roof.  We chalked it up to pack rats and slowly got on with our day.  The rains had come in the night and left everything quite damp, including this bird. 

 There was even a slight lingering mist in the hills.

This bird preens his wet feathers as well.

Later, as we jet boated out to the Mussellshell, this duck spooked and flew.

Pelicans were also offended by our presence.

Heron's seemed to feel the same.

I stepped off the boat on an island and discovered this snake.  It gave me quite a start and I shrieked like a girl.  I could not determine what type of snake it was at first.  I couldn't see its tail and it didn't rattle, fortunately.  Soon, it slithered into a downed log.  It is true what they say about dead logs!  (Give them a wide berth).

I also spotted rust colored grass seeds.

Again, lovely pink wild rose blossoms abounded.

On our return to camp, we captured this shot of the new Crooked Creek Boat Ramp, paid for by our tax dollars, with Whitey parked and waiting, .  It's very nice!

This sign is posted at the top of the ramp.  Not sure how I got such a crooked shot but.....we were at crooked creek!

Back at the dock, this huge spider lurked amongst the rip-rap.

We think the tan colored bumps on her back are babies (eggs).  She was about the size of the palm of my hand.  BIG!

Later, we took a drive into the hills and looked the countryside over.  And the rains came....

Kolden "Crooked Creek " Report, Day Four

We decided to paddle to the mouth of the Mussellshell River to see if any catfish were about.  We had a hard time finding dry ground to beach the canoe on as the river was running over flood stage.

Lush grasses thickly covered the river banks.

We disturbed this goose who took flight.

Gorgeous blossoms of all colors were a treat for the eyes, such as this clover blossom.

The wild rose was in fine form.

Even the tiny buds had a beauty all their own.

Prickly russian olive has a sweet scented yellow bloom.

A sea of grass waves gently in the breeze.

Long thin heads were covered in various colored seed.

A closer look at the white and purple seeds.

Only a few seeds remain on this head.

Even the weeds had gorgeous blooms!

Jim captured these shots of two differing dragonflies as we canoed about.

In the afternoon, thick clouds blotted out the sun and I was able to capture this shot.

This uncoordinated young bird clung to this salt cedar bush as we paddled by.

Another glorious day of vacation!

Kolden "Crooked Creek" Report, Day Three

 Having camped in the piney trees, we awoke to this view.

 The prairie was alive with color as evidenced by these lovely purple flowers. 

I liked the looks of this little bird, perched perfectly atop his large rock.

Jim spotted this huge fungus while we made coffee.

A fine automobile was seen resting amongst the pine trees.

I found these pink blooms visually appealing.

It seems hard to believe that this shack is able to withstand the winds.  Perhaps the abestos siding lends structural strength?

Jim noticed this purple bodied flying ant in the trail.  Upon closer inspection, we surmised that the apparently paralyzed  spider was being toted home for dinner.

Another fine old ride waits on the prairie.

 A pair of ducks swam about blissfully in their duck pond.

I found these five textures intriguing - blue sky, mountains, wheat fields, CRP and prairie.

Kolden "Crooked Creek " Report, Day Two

We had friends coming to join us from Great Falls but, they were not due to arrive until Monday.  After a good night's sleep at the Crooked Creek Campground, in ERv, Jim and I loaded up Whitey and headed out into the hills for a few days.     There was much to see!

We came across a huge sandstone and while investigating, I

found this large brand carved into the side of it.  No way of knowing how old the carving is.  It could be recent.

 I also stumbled upon these leafcutter bee larvae stuffed into the small round holes in the sandstone. Normally, the bees fill your air hose or electrical outlets with larvae!

 

We came across smatterings of blooms here and there.  The prairie was alive with wildflowers!

I was particularly enamored of this explosion of yellow flowers.

Seems that the closer I shot them, the better they looked!

To me, the flower is most interesting close up.

Lush, full pine cones and needles.

Delicate sweet pea-ish magenta colored blossoms (should take a botany course...so much I don't know!)

Edible "puffball" mushroom larger than my hand.

Wild daisies.

Wild rose bloom with spent blossom and bud.

Wild onion blossom?  Looks like a much fancier cousin doesn't it?  (Am told it's a variety of lily - interesting to see it on the prairie!)

We spooked these bull elk and they did not linger for us to view them.

We came upon this homestead and the windmill fascinated Jim.  Look at it's geared head. 

 Another shot of the wondrous windmill!

I am not sure what this is but I like it!

This little ground squirrel was as curious about me as I was of her.  We spent a bit of time together.

I like to think that she was glad to see me!

If I walked around the collapsed corral, she'd scurry over to the other side to watch me.  Dandelion shoots apparently are a favorite evening snack.

If it itches, scratch it!

If it's dirty, clean it up~!  (Note the mammary glands exposed by suckling.  Would have been great to find the nest...)

Love that lichen...

Homestead in the soft evening sunlight.

This was quite a homestead.  Many old shacks, chicken coops and even an outhouse tipped on its side.

I peeked in one door and found this view out the window of interest.

It was a bit too dark to be shooting but I could not resist.  This little cluster called out to me.

Again, it was pretty dark but these gorgeous flowers had to be photographed!

I kept finding lovely flowers such as these.

The guardrail looks pretty iffy to me.

  It's really just for show.  The coulee IS deep however.

Vacation is wondrous!