Legacy of Ice

This view of Grinnell glacier and its valley from high on the continental divide is a bittersweet panorama in this era of global warming.  The remnant glacier with it's iceberg filled lake and hanging valley falling to the chain of lakes that represents the final path of melting ice on its way to the Hudson Bay drainage.   I feel so lucky to be able to hike up here and to appreciate a characteristic of the landscape that will very soon be no more.  I included the clouds not only to improve the composition but to symbolize the cycle of water and renewal that will continue even while we insist on messing it up.  This one is for those of you who can't get to this awesome place where hope fills up the clouds and pours down the mountainsides.

Don't Mind Me

This young mountain goat was all cozy on the rocks about eye level above us on the trail.  He seemed to say "lookin good, keep it up, have a nice hike" as he watched us walk up our second pass of the day.  This was on our continental divide crossover hike.  Start at the Jackson Glacier overlook up the St. Mary Valley to Gunsight Pass and eventually end at Lake Macdonald.  I highly recommend this route although as a day hike it's a long one.

Cataract

I'm happy with this one.  Avalanche Creek in the spring, morning sun sliding down the canyon. The swirling water with it's bits of glacial flour is the master sculptor at work. 

Coming up for Air

Watching moose "snorkel" is a favorite passtime, especially at Kootenai Lakes in the north end of the park.

Skipper

This is a moth-ish looking butterfly called a skipper... I won't even try to identify which of the over 3,000 specific kinds it is.  They are named for their skipping flight pattern.  This one has paused to suck up some nectar from this golden aster flower, see the proboscis extending down at a right angle into the flower like a skinny straw?  I think they are kinda cute with their big eyes and fuzzy face.

Glacier Morning

Here is a classic Glacier sunrise lighting up the peaks around Wild Goose Island.

Check out my newest book!

Here is the new book adapted from my 2007 Artist in Residence project for the park.  They will have the web based alphabet up soon (I hope).  In the meantime check this out for a preview with paintings added for good measure.  These paintings and others will be in an upcoming show next month.  I'll post more info. on that later.  Here is a link to the Blurb bookstore where you can see a 15 page preview and purchase the book should you be so inclined.  :-)

cut and paste this link  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/210011

or click on the Jewels of Glacier Park link to the right,  enjoy!