02 June 2011

Skywatch Friday: Wildflowers, Trout Fishing

Interesting spring weather, with snowy thunderstorms and beautiful hours between storms. Our rivers in southwest Montana are "blown out" by high water as the mid-elevation snow melts off, but the creeks -- especially those with abundant beaver dams to settle and clarify the water -- are fishing VERY well. Yesterday found me on the other side (west slope) of the Continental Divide, and on the way home I caught this beautiful sunset (the 585-foot tall Anaconda Copper Company smelter stack is silhouetted on the left):

Trout fishing
 I came home with a nice basketful of plump Brook Trout like this one:

I also caught (and released) a bunch of Rainbow Trout. Because of the cool weather/water temperatures they are still spawning. They run up the tributaries from the main-stem Big Hole River to spawn, and it's great fun to catch relatively large fish like this in small streams that you can practically jump across:

To complement that trout dinner, I also happened upon a few of these tasty puffballs:

Wildflowers
Lots of blooms happening, including Hesperochiron (Hesperochiron pumilus -- translates as "evening Centaur skilled in medicine"):

Blue Violets (Viola adunca):

Shooting Stars (aka "Roosterheads;" Dodecatheon pulchellum):

Small Bluebells (Mertensia oblongiflora):

And the usual mystery flower (a species of Phacelia?):

Aerial Joust
In addition to good fishing, lovely flowers, and meadows full of (distant) cow elk, I caught this drama as a kestrel chased a medium-sized hawk from its territory:

13 comments:

Janie said...

It's always fun to have some bird drama to highlight a trip!
Lovely sunset, great wildflower photos, and some nice fish. I'll bet the brookies made a tasty dinner.

Larry D said...

Wonderful shots, the trout look great!

Should Fish More said...

Hmmm, 'notellum creek'? I might check it out when I get back from Seattle. Leaving early AM, taking Emily back to continue her school adventures, then visiting Henry in Portland for a day or so.
The brookies look tasty!

Small City Scenes said...

Quite a day you had. Used to Trout fish many years ago. Mostly the Skykomish River in washington and various lakes. Like the river better. Love this time of year with all the wildflowers. MB

fjÀllripan said...

Beautiful pictures, you were really lucky with the fishing :) I saw a simular drama with a kestrel yesterday, but its hard to get good pictures of it...Have a nice weekend :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful rainbow trout -delicious too!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the fish and flowers, and the sunset. You must not be in the area with all the flooding.

troutbirder said...

Very nice Pat. I could really enjoy catching (and eating) those brookies. Unfortunately, they've become harder and harder to find around here.

Trout MaGee said...

Beautiful Brookies and Bows. Those mushrooms look tasty for sure. Great pics!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous skies - love the pastel colours in the first shot.

secret agent woman said...

The colors in the first photo are wonderful. I love trout. But although we have those puffball mushrooms around here, I'm always afraid I'll mistakenly pick the rare look-alike killer puffball.

Maria said...

Hi! I'll have to show Chris your photos of the trout!
He misses fishing with our son who moved to Texas last month! They would fish in Thompson's Lake in the Helderbergs.

I love the first shot... it's really beautiful!

I've never heard of a cucumber tree! I'll have to look that one up.

I wish you happy springtime wanderings~
Maria

Lisa Wilson said...

Beautiful sky! Hope you are enjoying some spring weather by now. I think we skipped spring and went right to summer here.