"Meadow at Square Butte"

I love the tall grasses that grow in the meadows in the summers.  Ulm, Montana is just a tiny town, but near it is the very interesting natural formation called Square Butte.  There are actually 11 buttes in Montana with the same name, but this one and the one near Choteau, Montana are the two better known ones.  Near this butte, huge open meadows surround the occasional butte and rolling hills.  This meadow is bisected by Muddy Creek, which allows for tall wild grass to grow, even when the hot weather dries up everything else in the late summer.

"Happy Accidents"

My best seller for 2014.  I am so excited to get back out on the road this Spring!  It is just absolutely breathtaking in Big Sky Country when the grass is green and the blue skies are filled with puffy clouds.  There's no place I'd rather be, and bringing a camera with me is such an added bonus.  Sometimes when I'm out taking my photographs, I see people drive by and wonder how they can drive on by when there's something this spectacular happening.  These moments are fleeting, but even so nature is my favorite subject to photograph.  Taking landscape photographs is so relaxing.  There's no need to hurry, no need to worry that it won't hold still.  For the most part, it will change slowly enough to really get a good shot.  I suppose I prefer the solitude of landscape photography because it does allow me to slow down and really focus on what I want to capture.  When working with people, it sometimes is so hectic and unpredictable that I find it stressful most of the time.  I do enjoy photographing kids and families, but I find weddings and events to be far too fast paced.  Being surrounded by miles of open space is where I feel most at home.  

Winter is officially here!

The first full day of snow cover was here today, and I decided to step outside and see what kind of scenery it brought with it.  The frost hung out all day, making the trees and grass white.  I got several good shots of the "frozen" fall willows, and even a few of a moose in the white grass, munching on the willows.  I will post those photos soon.  These little bird tracks were on my patio this morning.  I've always loved how delicate the bird prints look in the snow.  I think these were magpie tracks.  They like to sneak around early in the morning. 

"The Restless Beyond"

This photograph is one of a series I took in one evening when I was experimenting with lighting and exposure.  The clouds were moving fast and the light changed from bright to dim several times in the few mintues I took the photographs.  To my immediate right, there was very active lightning and thunder, not to mention the mosquitos were out in full force.  Sometimes it's a little unnerving to be out in the lightning, as it seems to strike a little too close for comfort once in a while.  It's such a powerful part of nature that I can't help but be fascinated by it, but at a distance.    

"Summer Storm"

 From summer 2011.  An old tree stands in front of an oncoming storm.