The face of the Buffalo, Ice sickles and Colorful Wood Ducks

These are the faces of those that had been awaiting slaughter at the gavel of this Federal Judge in Helena.

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2011/02/federal-judge-refuses-block-yellowstone-national-park-bison-being-slaughtered7617

Thank goodness for the good and thoughtful governor Brian Schweitzer who saved them from the impending massacre 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/brian-schweitzer-bison-slaughter_n_823931.html

Here are some of the faces of the lucky herd to be saved.

Up here in the far north of the country the cold winter bring with it many beautiful ice sickles I have

decided to bring you a few of the crystals hanging around

Also in the winter time the ducks come down into local ponds here in Livingston to soak up some needed rest and maybe do some early courting before the long awaited spring.

Mainly wood ducks and mallards attended this party at the pond in Sacajawea Park

Long Hungry Descent and Cruel Demise of the Buffalo

Stampeding Buffalo in Lower Mammoth Hot Springs

The snow is so deep in Yellowstone National Park this year that the Buffalo herds are coming down the 

mountains through Mammoth and into the Gardiner and Yankee Jim Canyon looking for food. This herd came right down the street in Lower Mammoth where I was working, being guided by a fire truck back into the hills.

   Unfortunately, if these fuzzy guys make it to far into Montana, the local ranchers start a fuss and want them to be put down(killed). Hundreds of Bison might meet a kick death from a bullet unless people can convince the ranchers to let them be. The fear is that the Buffalo have brucellosis which wrecks havoc with cows causing premature birth.

 This disease originally came from the cattle industry and these days ranchers seem to forget this fact and insist on any that make it out of the park. So these beautiful animals that you see in this photo collage might soon be dead.

The Boys are back in Town!

Most normal neighborhoods have kitty cats cutting across lawns
jumping fences....

Here in Yellowstone they get much heavier fuzzy creatures 

The herd heads back into the wilds for now...

Wolves, Seven Point Bull Elk,Snowy Buffalo and Coyotes

This guy was frisking the snow for game in the Lamar Valley. Probably rabbits.

Count those antler points! Blacktail Basin is where this guy lurks about

A Lamar Valley Coyote

                                    

Lamar Valley habitant

Wolf Wolf!

On The prowl for the hidden bunnies

Wolf!

Wolf Wolf Wolf!

Way off in the distance of the Lamar Valley...Wolf Wolf Wolf Wolf!

Red's Place and Paradise Valley in Winter

Hi folks,
I bought a new camera this Friday and went out to break it in with some simple pictures of a buddy of mine's home in the Tom Miner Basin. This location rests on the Southern entrance of Paradise Valley and northern mountains of Yellowstone NP My buddy is name Red and he has worked up in Yellowstone since the early 70's and is a great guy.

Red spotted a major ice block on his road so instead of hitting it later, he broke it down then and there

This is Red explaining the facts of life to me in his foreign accent; He is from the Boston Area and sounds funny with some words

This is his garage and work space. Red build this and all the structures you will see here

This is his house through the woods A small stream runs right in front of the place

This is the house he built and I think it is a great job.

    

Front facing North

Facing North West

Facing South East

Facing South

Red is doing some ice sculpture and I expect big things when I return

His property is like a petting zoo with deer, elk, rabbits, bear, coyote, birds and the Great Horn Owls that are due to return shortly.(Hopefully, I will capture them in their nesting...look for future posts!)

                             

A Wood pecker 

The bambi herd leaving out the back

Now, these images are of the wonderful Paradise Valley at the base of the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountain Range. As you will see it is very very beautiful here and my new camera will fit in very well.

Looking South into the Paradise Valley along Highway 89

The bridge over the Yellowstone leading to Tom Miner Basin

The Yellowstone River along at the opening of Tom Miner Basin

Frozen Yellowstone with Absaroka-Bearthooth Mountains behind in the Paradise Valley

Looking East towards Bozeman Montana from the Paradise Valley

Frozen Yellowstone

 Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains in the Paradise Valley, Montana

Frozen Yellowstone River with Absaroka-Beartooth Mountain Range in the Background