another buck

The hunters from the northwest got a nice buck yesterday.  Brenda was actually the one who shot it.  Ross called it in by rattling antlers together to simulate bucks fighting.  They have actually had a number of deer come into where they have been sitting in the evening.  They have also saw a number of elk while hunting during the day, but none have been bulls.

Tonight we watched the International Space Station and the space shuttle Atlantis fly over.  They separated this morning and Atlantis is now trailing the space station.  So there were two bright objects flying over head at 17,500 miles per hour if I remember right.  We have not got to see the fly overs the last few nights as there have been clouds, so tonight with clear skies we finally got to see them. 

Carl, Ross, and Brenda with Brenda's buck.

a skiff of snow

21 November 2009:  Ross and Brenda came over from the Seattle area yesterday to do some hunting with Carl who came over last Sunday.  They are looking forward to some time off.

Got a skiff of snow last night, but we need more.  I am really getting anxious to get out on the slopes.

The mountains up Willow Creek got more snow than we did last night.

 

 

hunting season in full swing

We are getting down to the last two weeks of hunting season here in the Bitterroot.  Nephew Carl will be arriving tonight from the Tacoma area and Ross and Brenda (from the Seattle area) will be here the end of the week and will spend a week or ten days.  We have seen a number of elk around here the last few days.  Had a cow elk walk just below the corrals the other morning.  And we are still seeing deer of course.  Niece Carrie got a nice buck tonight on our sledding hill.

Carrie is pretty proud of her buck.

a bit of fresh snow

We have received a little bit of snow the last few days.  Not much, but every inch helps at the ski resort.  Bozeman got 16 inches downtown and 2 feet up on campus.  And the reason I know this is Allen (from over at the ranch) got kicked in the knee by a horse and broke his knee cap.  So he is over there for surgery. 

My brother Gary called first thing this morning to tell us there were 49 elk down in the hayfield below his place and headed up towards where Connie and I walk. I took my camera along this morning hoping to see some, but we did not.  There were a few old tracks, but the herd was hanging in the trees below we think.  But did get to see some deer then and later when I was walking down by our meadow. 

Went to our American Legion Post's annual Veterans Day dinner on Veterans day.  Had a good time and was good seeing some people we hardly ever see.

Click on the picture to make it larger if you want.

First rays of sun hitting the mountains on the west side this morning.

Even though we are not hunting, we wear bright orange when walking. Should get a vest for Zeus.

This is a little buck down near the meadow.

These are what we call snow fleas (actually they are springtails) around the ash bucket outside on the lower deck.  We get quite a few of these every once in awhile.  Very small and are usually in the ground helping to break down organic matter.

last shoes off

Pulled the last shoes of our horses today.  Baylee is usually the last horse to have that happen to.  There are a number of reasons for this - Connie usually rides her the longest and she does not like me to shoe her hinds or pull off the shoes.  But we got it done today without any tussle what so ever.  She was really a good horse.  So now all the shoes are off the horses and they are ready for winter.


Also cut down some dead trees in the corrals.  Did not get done, but only have three left to cut down and block up.   

fire and jelly

We have been busy around the Mason place trying to get ready for winter. I have got some burning of slash piles done in the last few days and Connie made some black raspberry jelly today. (And it was really good!!!) The weather has been a little cool, but it will get worse. Still doing my snow dance and the mountains are getting some snow.


The view from where I am burning the slash piles.


Connie's jelly cooling on the counter.


The last of the slash pile burning.

more pictures from ferrari visit

A family portrait in back of the cabin.



And horses have the softest noses!



Riding big Jack. She was not a bit afraid of the horses and loved riding.


Snowwhite watching the halloween parade in Hamilton.


Maisy's first sourdough hotcake and it was in the shaped like an "M".