Destination: Montana

Later this morning we leave on another one of our patented camping/photo sojourns to Montana.  We’ve put this trip off at the last-minute three times in the last ten days due to changing weather forecasts but right now it’s looking good and we’re a go.

 

ferruginous hawk 3128 ron dudley

 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

This is one of our primary target species, the magnificent Ferruginous Hawk.

 

 

ferruginous hawk 6195 ron dudley

 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in

This dark morph Ferrug decided to cuss me out as it took off from a pole and I liked the shot that resulted.  I usually have more chances with the species in Montana than I do in Utah even though both of these shots were taken in Utah.  I know of several nests in southwest Montana that have been used for years and I look forward to (hopefully) seeing some fledglings on this trip.

 

 

centennial valley 1091 ron dudley

 1/200, f.6.3, ISO 800, Canon 40D, 17-85 @ 47mm

This was taken almost exactly a year ago from our usual camping spot in the Centennial Valley.  We were about to leave camp just before sunrise to look for birds.

I can’t get enough of this place.  Wish us luck.  And light.  And birds.

Ron

Note:  The duration of our trip is open-ended but I’ve scheduled posts to be published in my absence.  Access to the internet will be intermittent at best so I won’t be responding much to any comments though I’ll get the comment emails on my phone when I have a signal and I do enjoy reading them.   

23 Comments

  1. Jane Chesebrough

    The first shot had me in awe. The light is amazing, so happy shooting!Hope you get a “lifer.”

  2. Oh, that (especially the first one) is nice!

  3. Looking forward to seeing the great images I know you will get on your trip. Hope all goes smoothly for you.
    Another topic: When you post on your website, when I open the message there always are several earlier replies. Today, I noted you posted early in the morning, yet I didn’t get the message until 4:05 p.m. PST. Why do you suppose this happens?

  4. Enjoy the journey no matter where it leads you. I wish you new species, old friends and long quiet moments just to enjoy the beauty.

  5. Intermittent rain here in Helena – seems more like Washington or Oregon than Montana – hope you have it better where you are going.

  6. May you have a fair wind at your back and may the birds be plentiful. I’m sure you’ll have a great time, Ron. Have a safe trip.

  7. I’m jealous. We would love to move to Montana some day. Have a great time. I know you will take fantastic pictures!

  8. I can’t understand why you are going into the wilderness. Far away from civilisation. Far away from most people. And I am lying. Like a pig in mud. My heart is singing just looking at the photos.
    Have a wonderful, wonderful successful time.

  9. …and NO flat tires!!!

  10. I wish you lots of birds, Ron. Therefore more birds for all of us.

  11. Have a great time. Hope the weather and light are perfect. The birds will all pose for you for you!!

  12. Sounds wonderful. I think others’ good wishes cover just about everything, so as you mentioned, I wish you no flat tires! 🙂

  13. Ah, life is good and The Big Sky Country is the best! Everything a wildlife photographer would need and hope for will be yours!! Looking forward to your images! May the weather be on your side for the duration!

  14. I wish you good luck, good light, good weather, good birds – everything good. I like the cussing shot, but am amazed by the first one. They are both gorgeous, as is that Montana sunrise. Looking forward to seeing the Ferruginous chicks. 🙂

  15. Charlotte Norton

    Wishing you fair skies and happy miles (and lots of wonderful shots).
    Charlotte

  16. Ron- you sure get some incredible images! Love the drama and unusual pose of the first one…the lifted wings, the head-on view, and the contrast of colors and feather textures. The second one proves that animals other than us, scold and “swear”. Thank goodness I’m not the only one! who does this! And the sunrise…how beautiful can this world be! (how many of us miss this most beautiful, magical, euphoric part of the day???)…I sure do wish you luck..and light (sweet light)…and birds…and mammals…and landscapes…and interesting old buildings…and other structures…and interesting behaviors to watch…and peace and quiet…and good donuts and coffee…and enjoyable conversation with like-minded friends…and silence (broken only by birds,wind or water)….may your trip recharge your batteries and restore your soul…

    • Wow, you’ve sure got me pegged, Patty – you mention nearly all the things important to me on trips like this. The only thing missing was “no flat tires”. The rough roads up there once caused 5 flats on a single trip (pickup + camping trailer). I now have 10 ply tires on the pickup and two spares each for the pickup and trailer.

  17. May you have luck, light and birds! Safe journey, Ron.

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