September Stuff

We have had some stunning weather this month. Lots of sunshine and stellar sunsets. 

 I've eaten salads and dinners outside, although many more meals have been in the hospital cafeteria.

There is a salmon outside the window of her hospital room, thankfully, most of the other animals around are less metallic in their makeup. . 

Our fireweed is beautiful this fall. Normally, we see the leaves turn red and then the plants get ugly in the autumn rains. This year it has been dry, allowing the herb to keep the fire theme from flower to frost. 

I had a chance to watch waterfowl on Bishop Lake and earlier the same evening, I saw beluga playing just off the mouth of the Kenai. (there is a beluga count this weekend. There are only about 300 in the Inlet now.) 

In spite of moose season, there are any number of the creatures roaming around. I've been privileged to see cows with calves and even a young bull. 

Our local forecasts have heralded a change in the weather starting this weekend. I reckon our summer is almost over and is about to reach an end. In hindsight, I can honestly say it was a season to remember. I wonder what is around the corner??? 

Hiking with Guns- First Foray

Jonathan took all of these photos on the first foray up to the ranch on the first weekend of deer season. Nary a deer, but great scenery. As usual!!! 

Jon was intrigued by the odd shapes the trees had. Probably from the winter snows bending them over. 

Steve out in the grasses. 

             
                 

 A sudden storm came up while they were out on Sunday evening. Jon said, 'It looked like it was heading toward the ranch, but it veered off and followed the Umatilla upriver." They were a bit concerned as they watched rain and lightening come towards them, but they didn't get wet and the photos are rather awesome! You can see the layers of clouds and sky and earth.

 Jon got a new scope. He was attempting to photograph a bird thru it. Jon told me, "It {this scope} is a bit more complicated than the last one." The other photos are random pictures  he sent.

 Sunset on Monday night. They didn't get the chance to get out and hunt during the week this year, but there is one last weekend left. Steve is taking the Mercury to the annual Harvest Fair car show and will join Jon later.

August Colors

I had gone out earlier on August 20th, but had not taken my camera. So, I went back on the lake later. This fallen tree covered in marsh cinquefoil and other plants drew my eye. I also noticed a LOT of dragonflies and hoped to capture at least one with my camera. 

 I loved the reflections in the calm water. It may have been as gentle as floating in a bath tub, but the water was COLD.

I did manage to snag one clear photo of a dragonfly!! I was pretty excited when I saw the wing reflected in the water below. I had a couple of photos where the dragonfly was almost out of the photo or hard to find, this one was the best.

 As you can see, it is a very long fallen tree!

 On shore again, I photographed the fireweed blowing in the breeze. This is obviously not one of the better pictures. However, it does capture the blowing part!

 I was amused at how the birch leaves are falling and trying to 'hang' around a few whiles longer.

 The baby birds are almost ready to be adults. It's a daunting world out there, but you gotta spread your wings and fly anyway.