time out in Bozeman

With the Coronavirus craziness, all the places I wanted to work at are closed, including my favorite Park.  What to do ?    Birds !   I can drive west to the open landscapes where I might find a Bald Eagle, or a Red-tailed Hawk.  I did a longer adventure and drove further north to a reservoir with a good Ebird report.   Snow Geese !   I did not photograph these birds because they were far away and mostly sleeping.  I had good 'scope views of a solid line of white feathers, with an occasional neck extended up for a look.  
     Photo to the right was taken north of the reservoir along the Missouri River.  The Lewis and Clark expedition traveled thru this area on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

another photo of the landscape near Missouri River's  Devil's Bend

Mountain Bluebird on a windy day.









     Tobacco Root mountains to the west of the town of  3 Forks.  Madison River in the foreground.

This photo was taken from Madison Buffalo Jump State Park.  The native American tribes would herd the buffalo toward a limestone cliff where they would fall over and be easier to kill.  Meat, skin, and all other parts would be harvested at the site.

male Pine Grosbeak.  I drove east a few miles on the highway, then exited to travel up a snow-covered road into the mountains. An Ebird report lead me to a small cluster of houses with feeders.  I found the pair of Pine Grosbeaks in the trees near one house, and coming for seeds on a porch.

male Hooded Merganser swimming in Oyster River,  one of the first signs of Spring in southern NH.  I spent a few weeks during late February and early March visiting family, and took this photo one morning.