Benton Lake, Montana

We did not pick the best day to go see the birds up at Benton Lake.  But, with the thunder boomers building it was fun to watch the sky.

We did see a lot of different varieties of birds. Got some shots even though the light was all wrong.

First we were welcomed by this spotted sandpiper?  (please correct me if I get any of these wrong!)

Suzi especially liked the way the bird looked at us when I clicked like I would to call a cat...

Then these 2 Shovelers stopped in the middle of the road, Mom even thinking it was a great place for a nest?

Then Suzi got this shot of this Avocet.

On our way out there was this Yellow headed Black Bird as if saying goodbye.

Rainbow Dam

Spring is here.  They even have the top gate open on Rainbow Dam.

Wadsworth Pond

Took the dogs out for a swim. A great time was had by all.

Cat Fence

Got done with our PVC pipe cat fence.  Made a blog on how we put it all together.
http://catfencepvcpipe.blogspot.com/

several people have commented that it looks a bit like a prison.  : )

For the first week the cats would howl in protest when getting locked in the house.  ie at bedtime.  They now understand the routine and are not complaining near as much.

Funny thing about the cat area.  I put the cage Louis would sit in while I worked on the concrete while we mowed, and the cats seem to think it is a great area to sit.  

Louis Cat Cage

Louis has been enjoying going out every day.  We have him positioned to view both a lot of birds in the trees, and the resident bunny that lives under the shed.

I was surprised to see the birds hanging out in Louis area while he is gone?

We are working on making a cat area so the cats can come and go from the house without us carrying them to and fro.  Natasha is not a fan of this setup and does not go out this way, only Louis.

Meadowlark

Heard a Meadowlark on our walk.

Found it singing away at the top of a telephone pole.

cats want outside...

Ok,   They were able to wander our shy 4 acres each day for a few hours, but now we are living in town.  Between houses they survived living with us and the 2 dogs in a 27ft fith wheel trailer.  Now that we have landed in our little house in town (a year later) Natasha and Louis want outside!
We had this little fencing for making a blocked off area for our old gold (Ginger) so Gator and Bailey would quit running her over while they were puppies. Anyhow, Had some screen on hand so I put a top on the area so the cats can go out and at least eat some grass and enjoy the fresh air, until we figure out a way to make a cat proof fence...

It measures 6' long, x 2'w x 2 1/2' tall

Natasha was not impressed with the small area, and escaped in a matter of minutes.

Above Rainbow Falls

Gator and Bailey going for their evening run.

Snow Geese at Freezeout Lake MT

Went back to Freezeout Lake MT a few days later.  Found out they come back to the lake from eating between 10am and noon. (what did we ever do before the internet)

They gave us a GREAT show!

You could watch the horizon and it looked like a swarm of bees or something, and as they got closer you could make out that they were indeed Snow Geese.

We parked in the perfect place and watched the geese fly right over us before landing in the lake.

Here is a video of the geese swarming.

These Sand Cranes below even gave us a great fly by!

Road trip to Choteau via Freezeout Lake MT

Got a nice greeting from the deer.

Ear Mountain was Beautiful with the snowy accents.

Saw this swan at Freezeout Lake MT

Freezeout Lake MT is a wildlife management area, with lots of birds stopping by on their way North for summer this time of year.  

That white in the lake below are Snow Geese. 

There were several large groups in the area.  

They were a bit early this year.

Suzi and I were mesmerized watching the snow geese travel to and fro.  

Amazing there were no mid air collisions!

below is a video of the Snow Geese Swarming in the early evening.

  They are headed out for their evening snack.

Tick season

I was blasting down I-15 when I noticed a spider climbing up my windshield right where I look out... the I realized it was a tick.  So I pulled into an empty weigh station.  Found a sticky back label and pressed it into the back of the tick still on the windshield.  

This shot is it's under belly.  I wiped him off the label onto the pavement, and left it crawling away at the weigh station.

Guess it is official, spring is here.

Louis Cat

Louis enjoying the sun.

Great Falls Bridge Lights

The old 9th Street bridge in Great Falls is a landmark, and they occasionally light up the blue lights.

This shot is taken from the airport.

Square Butte, Great Falls, MT

Gator's Doggie Boots

We discovered that the dogs do fine with the cold up to about 0F.   When it gets to  -20F they do a pathetic tripod dance.  So we did some research and found the doggie boots were to much $$$$ so I found a pattern for making your own.  

Gator is here on her mayden voyage testing the boots out.  Bailey is checking them out... We were amazed at how well they stayed on!  Gator ran, jumped and seemed to enjoy the warmer toes...  

Here is a closer shot.   yes, Gator is dawning pretty pink lady bug booties.  : )