Sundays in My City - The Haunted Museum

This week's Sundays in My City post is in honor of Halloween.

A few posts ago, I implied that the Pioneer Museum may be haunted. While on a tour, I took the following photo. When I looked at it on my computer, I noticed a very wispy formation which seemed to be hovering in the air near the glass jars. I have circled it to make it easier to see. My husband thinks, it's light coming through the window. Perhaps. I'm wondering if the Horlick's Milk Bottle is haunted since it seems to be the source of the light. I'll leave you to come to your own conclusions.

Unfortunately, I no longer volunteer at the museum. Not out of fear of ghosts, I just happened to get more hours at my school job. Being practical, I let paying our bills trump good deeds for the community.

Drop by Unknown Mami's to check out what may be haunting other cities.

PS - My friend Hilary over at The Smitten Image suggested that I include a shot free of the white line. I thought that was a good idea. So I put that one up first. I have left the outline in as the second shot just in case that does help.



Ghostly Visitor or Stray Light?






Skywatch Friday - Baxter Hotel

The Baxter Hotel is one of the oldest buildings on Main Street. In the second photo, you can see the blue ski light on the right side of the hotel sign. When this is lit, it means that fresh snow has fallen at Bridger Bowl.

For more historic skies visit Skywatch Friday.

Baxter Hotel Fire Escape

Baxter Hotel Sign

Pure Power



Power that commands our attention with it's sunlit beauty



Power rushing by, making us dizzy

Power crashing into the earth



Power rebounding with energy



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Crawling Along the Trail

Here are some of the creatures I found crawling along the trail as we made our way up to Grotto Falls a couple of weeks ago.

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Sundays in My City - A Day Well Spent

I planned and shopped



While my husband stained



And the leaves fell

Drop by Unknown Mami's to see what's happening in other cities around the world.

My Other Work Place Is Haunted

I have to admit that this post is a bit of a tease. When I arrived today, the Pioneer Museum was already getting ready for Halloween. They are turning it into a haunted house. I'm not a fan of such things so I will not be attending. However I could not pick a better place for such an adventure, since the building was a jail at one time. Possible specters include a man who was hung for murder. Not which to mention, an inmate who hung himself in his cell. It could be haunted. I may have proof that it is. But you'll have to wait until I post on Halloween. OOOOO, suspense!

PS - For the curious, I started working here three weeks ago as a volunteer. I've been scanning historical photographs which will eventually be entered into a database. It's been a lot of fun. It's interesting to see how Bozeman has changed even simply over the last 30 to 40 years. Definitely a cool job for a history major and a photography buff. I'm living the dream, err...nightmare?!

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Skywatch Friday - Fall Sky

This week's contribution to Skywatch Friday was inspired by the beautiful sunny day we had. Since the weather was absolutely gorgeous today, I went out in our back yard and shot whatever caught my attention. The first photo is a branch of our crab apple tree framed by the swingset. The second shot is sunflare coming through the branches of one of the large trees in our back yard.

Stop by Skywatch Friday to see more amazing shots of the sky from around the world.

One Word Wednesday - Gold

Once again, I'm joining in on One Word Wednesday. Jillsy Girl hosts this fun challenge in which we all try to make a post based on one word. Today's word is Gold. Stop by and see the creative responses, and while there come join us! It's a lot of fun.

I have to admit I was having a hard time thinking of what I could photograph that would represent the word gold. Possibly the fall grass around here, but I haven't been inspired by that lately. It finally dawned on me last night that the answer was right under my nose. Our goldfish. His name happens to be Gold. And he definitely lives up to it!

Kindness, Isn't It About Time?

World Kindness Day, 11/13/10

SE'LAH at Necessary Room has an excellent idea to celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13th. She has asked her readers to join her in random acts of kindness. For ideas, please stop by her post A Random Act of Kindness which lists many different ideas. I have a few I am kicking around in my head. Flowers for my neighbors who are very sweet people to name one.

Just for extra fun, I put up a shot of leaves I took last week. The reds and the light make me think of blazing glory for some odd reason. It's definitely fall color in all its glory.

Sundays in My City - The M

Sundays in My City is hosted by Unknown Mami. She has a really cool post at her place this week. Go check it out, and while you're there, go ahead and take a tour of some of the other cities.

Being as this was a crazy busy Sunday for us, I didn't have a chance to participate in a photo op today. Consequently, I decided to post something from earlier this week. This past week was full of really beautiful fall weather. Just warm enough to be out, but no so warm as to be hot. I decided to take advantage of the weather and get some hiking in. In fact, I decided why not aim for one of my goals. I had tried a couple of times to get to the top of Drinking Horse Trail out by the Fish Technology Center. No luck. I kept running out of time. Well, the third time's a charm. I finally made it. Definitely worth the effort. This shot was taken about 3/4 of the way up at a bend in the trail. I happened to look behind me and realized I had a clear line of sight to the M. Once I got my zoom lens out, it was like I was sitting on top of it. This is definitely the best angle for getting the whole letter in as well as for making the M look larger than life.

The M, Bozeman MT

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Skywatch Friday - Moser Creek Trail

Today's post is part of Skywatch Friday. Check it out for more skies from around the world.

Hyalite Canyon is a very scenic spot near Bozeman with lots of different trails to explore. I've been in Bozeman for four years and have barely scratched the surface of this beautiful area. A couple of days ago I decided to hike on a trail I hadn't been on before, Moser Creek Trail. This hike took me through forests and meadows and afforded me many opportunities to capture the vibrant fall colors. Part of the vibrance from that day, came from the larger than life clouds in the sky. This type of scenery is what makes Hyalite Canyon such a great place to go hiking.

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One Word Wednesday - Where Sweet Begins

Today is all about the word sweet. I'm joining in on Jillsy Girl's One Word Wednesday. Come on by and play along!

I chose to honor the spot where sweet begins.  Without bees, we wouldn't have honey.  Honey is a godsend for me.  Sugar and it's lesser cousin corn syrup don't make me a happy person.  So I gave them up as much as I could thus my love of honey.  I bake with it.  I put in on and in a lot of things I eat/drink.  I'd be totally lost without it.  So I'm honoring my little friend here by posting him for the word sweet.

Sundays in My City - Raptor Fest

I'd like to say thank you to Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays in My City which gives us all a chance to show off where we live. Come along on a tour of many different cities from around the world!

Yesterday we had the good fortune to attend Bridger Raptor Fest which is held at the Bridger Ski Resort. I put in a scenic so that you can see the gorgeous landscape we were surrounded by. Not only was this the first year that it was not freezing cold and raining, but it was also the first year we were able to go on the nature hike. It was a wonderful experience and left me feeling in awe of the planet that we live on. I want to go back and hike up the trail in the summer time. We barely started on the hike when we had to turn around. I'd say we probably went a couple of miles, but the trail goes on into the forest, and I'm curious to see what kind of creatures inhabit it.

The middle photos are some of the raptors that the Montana Raptor Conservation Center brings along. They have them for display during the festival. They also do talks and bring along birds for those as well. Mainly its a way to educate the public about how some of the birds end up injured or come to be rescued. How they live in the wild. What kind of bird is which. What they eat. It's really cool. And the kids always have a blast.

Along with the Conservation Center, other organizations have exhibits there as well. Montana Outdoor Science School, Yellowstone Park, Museum of the Rockies. So it's definitely a must do event for those of us who love the outdoors and like to learn about nature.

Then there was the icing on the cake. On the way home, we saw a Bald Eagle perched on a telephone pole. We pulled into someone's driveway, and I went along the ditch to get a closer shot. No such luck. I got distracted by the meal it was eyeing. I scared it off with my loud shutter click. Next time I'll remember, live animal first, dead animal second.



Bridger Mountain Range



Red-Tailed Hawk: Looks like he's reminiscing about flying.



Great Horned Owl

Turkey Vulture

Golden Eagle Silhouette

Perched Bald Eagle Eyeing a Meal

Could this be the meal in question?

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Just for the Whimsy

Just a quick post today. I took these shots the other day when the wind was blowing. I found it quite fascinating the way the sheet would first uncover and then cling to the swings. Now you see it. Now you don't.

I also wanted to thank Laura for the mention on her blog Forest Walk Art. Much appreciated. Check her out. She takes some cool nature photos.

One Word Wednesday - The Circle of Life

Today is all about the word circle. I'm joining in on Jillsy Girl's One Word Wednesday. Come on by and play along!


Once again I'm putting a bit of a twist on the word. Today's post is all about the Circle of Life. The other day while feeding and walking the neighbor's dogs, my son found a dead beetle on their porch. I normally don't like to photograph dead insects. However, this one was too cool to pass up because it's still intact. You have a beetle shell with no insides. Looks like it was eaten from the inside out. I do have one guess: hornets. I saw this once in Salt Lake City. These hornets were eating a Ten-lined June Beetle from the inside out. It was about October then, too. It's my understanding that hornets will eat things like butterflies and beetles. Not knowing for sure I guess this will be one of those Unsolved Mysteries.

Life in the Meadow

While walking through the ditch meadow by our house last weekend, I found lots of interesting subjects to photograph. A really striking shield bug, some will know it as a stink bug, that was nestled among some yellow flowers. An absolutely gorgeous mint green grasshopper. A very tiny tan plant bug on the tansy. And the most interesting of all (actually photographed against our storage shed) was this poor grasshopper who's missing a leg. He tried to hop away from me to no avail. It was sad to watch. Hope he didn't become bird or cat food.

My Camera Sister

Once upon a time, there was a group of women who called themselves Montana Mamas. The name is pretty self-explanatory. What isn't is the spirit that this group of women embodied. They came together as mothers and as people who wanted to make a difference. And for while, they did. They shone, and they made their community a better place.

While the group is technically defunct, I have remained in contact with many of the women. And now it has come time for us to band together again and help one of our own. I met Renee through Montana Mamas, and I made a really good friend. In fact, I think of her as my camera sister. I can't explain it, but if you get the two of us together, more than likely we'll be talking about cameras and photography. Once we get going, it can be hard for anyone to get a word in edgewise. Personally, I think her photography rocks. She does an awesome job at something I never could figure out, photographing people.

Unfortunately, life has handed her some lemons lately and although her attitude never flags, it's been a tough battle. She and her family are struggling to make ends meet and her husband has been diagnosed with cancer. To truly understand the depth of this situation, please check out the following link.

Howl's Moving Castle. This is where you will find Renee's story as told in her own words. I can't say it any better than that.

Shine On!

PS (9/9/10) - Unfortunately since I posted this, there has been a bit of fall out from the blogging world. While my friends, Gucci Mama and Sassy tried to help Renee by setting up a donation fund, it all fell apart. Someone that did not know Renee's situation personally got all in a huff and decided that the whole ordeal was a scam.  As a result, they decided to bring legal action against Gucci Mama.  Gucci Mama had no choice but to refund a lot of money to kind and decent people.

Despite this turn of events I will not back down.  I know that Renee needs help.  I also doubt this person will find me, but if they do, they are welcome to bring it.  I actually feel sorry for them.  They, like a lot of us, have become so cynical that they don't believe in anything.  They are unable to open their hearts.  It's a sad state of existence.

So despite the mess this ended up being, I would still like you to go by these sites and show support for these Montana Mamas.

Mama Still Wears Gucci

Sassy Pants Freckle Face

Howl's Moving Castle. This is Renee's story in her own words. You will also find a donation button here.

Sundays in My City - Hyalite Canyon Grotto Falls Trail

To begin with I'd like to say thank you to Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays in My City and giving us all a chance to show off the places where we live.

Today we finally made it up to Grotto Falls as a family. My son has been a couple of times with a summer camp he attends. He was finally able to tell me how to get there, so I've been a couple of times. Then we tried two more times as a family, and just wasn't able to make it. However, persistance paid off and the whole family made it to falls for the first time today. My husband was quite impressed. Hard not to be.

Well, the trip was so productive I had a hard time choosing which photographs to put in this post. So I did a best of. Enjoy!



Fall Colors: Red Mushroom



Insects: Hover Fly in Flight

Water: Grotto Falls Backlit

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Can You Spot Them?

If you don't like spiders, best not to scroll any farther. If you do, see if you can't spot the hatchlings below. I have them circled in the second photo. My husband took this shot when we went out to the Madison Dam near Ennis, Montana.