Spring Really is Here!

I managed to get out for a nice 25 mile hike this past weekend and what a great day it was! Trails are opening, people are starting to show up in greater numbers, weather is improving and things are going great! This image I got lucky to find while I was leaving St. Mary's Falls.



The last spring snow we had hit during the peak of the balsam bloom and set much of it back, even damaged a good bit of the bloom in most places. That said, the middle elevation flowers are looking great and i'll bet if things keep up weather wise, the first week of July will see some spectacular blooms, and the opener of the Going to the Sun Road.

It's true, it's going to be that late this year. I'll bet they get it open by the 4th of July, but dont hold me to that, just check the website, they update it regularly. . .

I also had a chance to fly the Rocky Mountain Front which for me was a first. The air was great, and views were spectacular!

I'm heading out to shoot the annual fathers day Ranch Roping in Pincher Creek Alberta, it's always one of my personal favorites . . .



Tony

Sping Grizzly Encounter and Whitewater!

In the last week overnight lows have been in the mid 30's which means spring is here. Recently I made a trip up Many Glacier's and while on my climb I ran across a sow grizzly and her new, young of the year cub - that's always a little nerve racking!

Fortunately everything turned out fine. The encounter added hour or so to my decent of Altyn Mountain. Just as I was down off the steep slopes I saw the bears cross about 100 yards in front of me and directly in line with my route off the mountain. Because of the cliffs and direction I planned to go, the only way out was back up the mountain a ways, and then across the face and back down a steep chute to the road.

There was enough snow in the chute to glassade down a fair bit which helped me make up some lost time. When I returned to the vehicle, with the light fading fast, I glassed the bear and cub about 250 yards from where I first saw them. I was a bit lucky because had I stayed on my original decent path, I would have passed with in yards of them. Lucky for all of us everything turned out great!


I also spend a few hours shooting whitewater kayakers on the Flathead River. It's great fun photographing sports, particularly one's that are as colorful and exiting as whitewater. Well, that's all for now, have a great spring! I'll update in a few days. . .



Cheers!

Tony

Glacier Blizzard 2009 AND MORE SNOW!!!

NEWS FLASH, it still is snowing here in East Glacier Park! LOL - really, if you were living here it would not be a news flash, old man winter is holding on with a death grip this season.

After the blizzard subsided on Thursday, we did get a day of reprieve, but today (Friday), it's snowing hard again, and 26 degrees! The flakes are coming down and it's piling up as type. ON the bright side, there's no wind this time, but the flakes are huge and temp. . .

The blizzard we experience earlier in the week was quite an ordeal. The roads all closed, people were and still are stranded in their homes and who knows where all the waterfowl went! That said, the highway department did a great job on highway 2 and highway 89. . . thanks guys!

If youre interested in seeing a few more shots of the East Glacier Area you can find then here, on my website:

Highway 2 looking south out of town



The "chicken-coop" on Montana Avenue (worker housing, it use to be a home for chickens).
Looking west from the train station at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park, MT



Looking west from highway 2 at the train crossing. . . .
To see more images, go to my website here:

http://www.tonybynum.com/gallery/8051296_oQVqA


I'll up date this when the sun comes out and the snow melts! I hop to see you all again some day. . . LOL


Tony Bynum

Spring, Snows, Montana 2010 Calendar and Bears!

Spring
It is spring, but it still is snowing and the lakes around here still are frozen. Plowing started on tuesday, and plans are for the Two Medicine Road to be open to the falls very soon, weather permitting. . .

Snows
The snow geese are migrating up the front but with little open water I think some are taking their time or flying out closer to the prairie where there's open water.

Montana Calendar
Here's the cover of the 2010 Montana Magazine Cover, I managed to "win" it again for the second year in a row. I also have a shot on the inside. . . You can buy it on amazon or shoot me an email and i'll get one for you in youre interested.

It wont be long now before things warm a bit, although the forecast is for more snow, it cant snow forever, can it? LOL

Bears
I've heard a few bear reports, so if youre planing a trip, it's time put that bear spray back on the pack and review your bear safety, but be sure, before you go out too tell someone where youre going and when you should be back. . . Here's some basic bear safety tips.

Don't hike alone.
Consider going along on a ranger-guided hike if you have no hiking companions. Leave your pets at home because dogs and bears are natural enemies.

Make loud noises.
Bears don't like surprises and will usually move out of the way if they hear people coming. A loud shout combined with sharp clapping is effective. Shout more frequently around a noisy stream, on a blind curve, on a windy day or when near heavy brush (vegetation).

Hike During "Business" Hours.
Bears tend to be more active at dawn and dusk.

Never enter a closed trail.
It is closed for a good reason - usually recent bear sightings.

Observe bears only from a distance. Never approach bears for a better look or a photograph. Consider carrying pepper spray. Some backcountry hikers carry pepper spray as a possible nonlethal, nontoxic deterrent against aggressive bears. Note: There are accounts where pepper spray has not worked as well as expected. If you decide to carry pepper spray, use it wisely and only in situations where aggressive wildlife behavior justifies its use. Check at a visitor center for pepper spray regulations.

Always leave a clean camp. Store odorous items such as food, coolers, utensils and toiletries in a hard-sided vehicle or food locker. Toss garbage in bear proof garbage cans, not in your fire grate. Dump water used to rinse dishes and hands in a rest room utility sink, not on the ground. These are park regulations, not simply recommendations!

In the backcountry, never leave any odorous items unattended. Every backcountry campsite has a special cable or pole from which you can hang food and garbage. Cook and eat only in the designated food-preparation area, and hang the clothes you cooked in if they might have absorbed food odors. Camp only in the designated sites, which are situated well away from the food-hanging and cooking areas. Be sure to pack out all garbage.

If You See a Bear
All bears are dangerous. Never approach or feed any bear, even a seemingly "tame" one. Bears will fiercely defend cubs and food. If you encounter a bear at close range, stay calm and slowly leave the area by backing away. Don't run or scream; this may provoke a chase. Climbing a tree is not always an option because there may be a lack of time and trees, and bears can climb! Bear attacks are exceptionally rare. When they do occur, it's usually because the bear perceives a person as a threat. If an attack should occur, act submissive and protect yourself by rolling up on the ground with your fingers interlocked behind your neck and your knees pulled to your chest. Leaving your pack on may provide extra protection for your back and neck. When the bear no longer feels threatened, it will usually leave the area. Do not move or make noise until you are sure the bear is gone.

Winter Photography in Glacier Park

Photographing winter landscapes in Glacier Park always can be a challenge. There are few places from which to view and photograph the interior of the park. The east side offers some of the best vistas looking west from the Blackfeet reservation. Best to be there early as the sun comes up.

On Sunday, the normally windy weather cleared so I set out headed west from east glacier park along highway 2 to take a few photos. It's important to prepare properly before headed out into the bush during the winter, even on days when the weather looks ideal there are a few things I never leave home without.

Mistakes and accidents happen. I always take food, water, fire starter, a compass (mostly in case of fog), a whistle, a cell phone, small first aid kit, and a headlamp when i leave the road. I layer my clothes and bring a gortex shell and pants along with a few heat pads, and a spare pair of gloves. . . Be careful of frozen streams, and unstable slopes! Safety is always paramount, but especially so during the winter! And finally, if you can, always tell someone where you're going, and if you don't, shoot an email off to a friend, or leave a note with someone you trust, or in the very least, a note inside the vehicle as to your destination your route and how long you'll be out . . . I know these may pose other risks, but i'm willing to take them in order for someone to know where i headed in case I do not return. . .


Here's a shot looking up the south fork of the flathead river, into Coal Creek and Battlement Mountain. I modified the image a bit using an "antique" template and I added the boarder myself in photoshop.

Overall it's been a very mild February, in fact it's about as mild as any I can remember. It's snowing a bit today but still not very cold. . .

Take care,

Tony

All Things Fun!

The weather gave us a break so we went and did what most people do when the wind subsides in the winter, went outside! Here's a few shots of my daughter and her friend sledding down the local sled hill. It was a beautiful day here in East Glacier! Today, it's a whoppen 22 below at my house, and clear as a bell. BTW, it's staying light a little longer, it wont be long now until the first waterfowl show up on their migration north. March first, or there abouts, is the day I usually see my first canada goose. . .

Cheers,

Tony

Hasnt Stopped Snowing Since Last Year!

Dad, where's the truck?

And its still snowing and snowing and snowing. . . That's right, I think it has stopped snowing for about two hours in the last week or so. Here's my little girl outside the house today. Shes getting ready to go for a ride. . .




Needless to say, i'm not out doing much shooting today, but as soon as this breaks, you can bet i'll be back at it.

Wish everyone a happy new year!

Tony

Blustery Snow and Cold!

Things are snow white around here and in all likely hood they will stay that way through Christmas - that is unless the wind blows all the snow to North Dakota! After more than a week of sub zero temperatures and snow flurries, today brought with it high winds and blowing snow. Temps are back up to 15 degrees but couple that with 30-40 mile and hour wind gusts and it's not much fun to be outside for long periods of time. . .

Here's a shot of Summit Mountain, the most prominent and tallest of the peaks in the south Glacier Park area. I, along with a friend, climbed this peak and in the same day, the one next to it (Little Dog) this summer, it's about 8 miles from my house and very visible from East Glacier. One could, if they choose, walk from my house out the door and to this mountain, the Autumn Creek Trail leaves from East Glacier.

The more usual and popular route is from the Marias Pass Parking lot. From there Summit and Little Dog jet nearly straight up. To summit Summit, you climb from the bottom up to the saddle between the two peaks, then around the west side and up to the peak near that ridge on the upper right of the peak in the photo below.

Merry Christmas!

Tony

Bone Chilling Cold!

After a relatively warm and dry fall, the nature God's, or Goddesse's have gripped northwest Montana with sub zero tempatures for more than two weeks. Much of the region is shivering from the extended and early deep freeze.

Snow has been relatively constant although there's been little accumulation on the east side of the Park. A couple feet in the drifts and bare dirt on the wind blow ridges. . .

On a recent trip to Kalispell I decided to head south and take a look at Flathead Lake. The wind in Kalispell was really boiling and it was, at the time, below zero. High winds and sub zero temperatures are uncommon. I headed down to see what the largest freshwater lake west of the Missouri River looked like as it was churned up by winds and bitterly cold temperatures.

Here's what I found:



Unfortunately, on that day, I also hit a deer with my pickup, it was my first in 38 years. So while it was a bummer, and my truck needs some serious repairs, I'm fine and one deer in 38 years is not bad. If I stick to that average, i'll only hit two more in my lifetime! LOL - that's right, the math is correct, I plan to live a while!

On Sunday the 21st I managed to get out for short ski around the south end of the Park, again, not much snow, enough to ski on, but not enough to get too radical, but it was calm and warmer, temperature was up around 5 degrees and 5 above with no wind means get outside and get the work done and if you have time, go do something fun!

All the roads are closed into the Park except the Mcdonald Road on the East Side. I believe it's open to the lodge. Great time to get out and ski the road up to Avelanch Falls, i'll bet the falls are pure ice!

It's almost Christmas, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tony

Busy Fall, New Magazine

It's been a busy fall. I'm sorry for not updating this blog sooner. Winter on the east side really has not set in quite yet. It's been relatively warm and very very dry. There's not much more than a skiff of snow anywhere. On the bright side, the Two Medicine Road has been open for a good spell longer than I had planned. That makes it easy for me to get out to some beautiful places without burning a lot of gas.

The Park is nearly vacant this time of year. I think in one entire day I saw three vehicles come and go and NO one got out, so I had the whole place to myself. . . A word of caution, Glacier Park is a tough place in the winter, you should be very careful and plan accordingly if you visit during the winter.

BIGHORN SHEEP (see more photos on my website - www.tonybynum.com)
Below is a photo of two bighorn sheep just as they are about to clash heads in their ultimate battle for dominance and breading rights. The two rams face each other then rise up on their hind legs, lurch toward their opponent until their horns crash together. The sound of the two sets of horns smacking together is incredibly loud. The sound echos and bounces down the canon walls and can be heard for many miles. On a still day, (no wind) the sound of two rams crashing horns can be heard throughout the day and often while the sounds can appear close, they are not. In fact often they are so far away that you cant find the two warriors in the rocks. They blend in so well with their high mountain terrain that finding them requires patience, and a good set of binoculars, and sometimes a little luck.



GLACIER PARK MAGAZINE



On another note, I'd like to bring to your attention a magazine written and published by Chris Peterson of Hungry Horse. The title is "Glacier Park Magazine," it is published four times per year. It's just gone thought it's first year and what a great magazine it is. Chris does both the writing and the photography and he's a great photographer, period end of story!

I can vouch for his images and stories they are real and true to life. I recommend that if you're a Glacier Park person and you'd like to keep up with the Park or learn more about it in the "off-season" you should buy yourself a subscription, it is worth EVERY penny -- BTW it makes a great Christmas Gift too! You can view his magazine here:

http://www.glacierparkmagazine.com/

Cheers!

Tony Bynum

Weather Improves - Winter Storm Warning!

Well, the inevitable is here, the first winter storm warring of the season. The national weather service has forcast 6-12 inches over the next day or so, and at 9am on election day 2008, the snow is just starting to fall in the park!

I managed to find a few more colorful larch shots before over the weekend. This was taken along Highway 2.



Thanks to all those that keep checking in with my updates to see what's new around here. I'm glad that winter is here and that youre still "tuning" in. Keep it up and email me if you have any questions about winter shooting in Glacier.

Tony

Water, Ice and Images

Got out for a trip around the area and stumbled onto some ice and waves along the eastern shore of Dog Gun Lake on the Blackfeet Reservation. This past weekend we saw temps around 12 degrees which caused ice to form on our local lakes. On monday, it warmed significantly on sunday night and monday with warmer weather came high winds and melting ice. Today, it is almost 7o degrees in East Glacier Park and the grass here in my yard still is green! I'll bet old man winter's going to hammer us this winter! Here's a few images from last night. . .

West Side Still Spectacular

The colors on the west side still are spectacular. The larch, or as we call them, "tams" are very beautiful this time of year. Here's a couple shots that will remind you of fall in the northern rockies of Montana. . .

Fall Colors, Wild Animals, Sun Road Closure!

It's been less than a stellar fall here in Glacier Park. It has been about average for color. There are few days left in the season, but it's almost over with the leafs almost all gone. They blow off quickly on the east side.

I spent my fall days chasing wildlife. It's been a great fall season for me!

SUN ROAD REPORT
Glacier Officials Announce Closure Date for Sun Road Alpine Section The Loop to Logan Pass closes Third Monday of October

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Glacier National Park officials announce the winter closure of the eight-mile alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) between the Loop and Logan Pass on Monday, October 20 at 8 a.m. Park policy establishes a firm closing of this section of the Sun Road. Once
winterization is completed, this section of road will be reopened for hiking and bicycling as weather and road conditions permit.

This alpine closure allows park personnel to prepare the Sun Road for the winter. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright noted, winterization of the upper road involves removal of guard rails and other removable barriers in at least 15 avalanche zones as well as removal of all signs, displays,trash cans, installation of snow pole and final culvert/drain cleaning.

“As we rehabilitate the alpine sections of the Sun Road, we have been adding more removable steel backed log barriers. This has helped us address the need to replace stone walls in avalanche prone areas, but it has added considerable winter preparation to remove all barriers,”
said Cartwright. Additionally, guard rails are removed with heavy equipment that requires access to both lanes of the Sun Road.

According Cartwright, “This October date for the set closing of the Sun Road alpine section allows park personnel more time to winterize the upper roadway in a safe manner without endangering employees who may be forced to work in hazardous weather conditions. A set closing date also allows managers to be more cost effective and better prepared by avoiding undue costs from damage to road structures and facilities and extra work time necessary to complete the winterization process during winter storms.” Cartwright added, “A motor vehicle restriction is also important to reduce
stress on park wildlife at a time when they are already stressed by changing climatic patterns, harsh weather and reduced food availability.”

Park managers strive to retain flexibility in allowing public motorized use of roads in the spring and fall, yet recognize that for the safety of workers, staffing, planning and environmental compliance, a consistent approach is needed. “This policy allows for a safer, systematic approach to winterize the alpine section of road while providing the visiting public with a better framework for planning their park travels,” Cartwright concluded.

Temporary closures of the alpine section before the third Monday in October may occur due to hazardous road and weather conditions. When this occurs, efforts are made to reopen the Sun Road as soon as road and weather conditions permit. Wintery weather, snow and ice caused overnight closures of the alpine section between Logan Pass and Big Bend four times last week, most recently on Friday, October 10. Weather and road conditions permitting, the west side will reopen to Logan Pass through the weekend and then will close for the season for vehicle use at The Loop at 8 a.m.,
October 20.

The east side of Logan Pass between Logan Pass and Jackson Glacier Overlook closed this fall on September 22 to allow for road repair work near the East Tunnel. The lower elevation section between St. Mary and Jackson Glacier Overlook remains open 14 miles for vehicle use.

Despite the alpine section’s closure, weather permitting, 37.5 miles of the Sun Road will remain open for vehicle use. This includes 23.5 miles from the West Glacier entrance to the Loop on the west side and the 14 miles from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.

Fall is on it's way!

The East Side of Logan is now closed for the season, so you have to go up the west side if you want access. The fall colors are starting to come on now. Lets pray it keeps going like it is. It's common for the leaves to get about 50% color then we get a big dump of snow and high winds which blow off all the leaves before they get a chance to change. So far so good this year. There's snow on the peaks right now and the temps are dipping into the upper 30's.

Good shooting!

Tony