Spar On The Lake

In my ongoing effort to control the spread of beetle kill, I hired the skilled folks at Acker Tree Service to come in and take out some of the infested trees that are too complicated for me to take out myself.  If you can get to the trees soon enough, burn, cover with plastic, or … More Spar On The Lake

Smoky Mountain Tops

Looking back a couple weeks from the Lick creek subrange, of the Salmon River Mountains, just outside of McCall,Idaho. The smoke was thick for a few weeks this summer, and though it limits adventure, I still made it out into the backcountry.

Western Tanager

Western Tanager male regains its grip, after an unfortunate collision with our Cottage window, while having a go with another male. The good news is he recovered and flew off into a nearby tree a few minutes later.  This colorful bird migrates from Central America, to the conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest each spring, … More Western Tanager

Fairy Slipper Orchid

On a recent meander out the front door, my wife, to her delight (mine too), discovered the uncommon Fairy Slipper Orchid. In central Idaho they are tiny, delicate, and a real treat. We found over 10 in one area, and a couple Morel mushrooms in the same magical little spot.

Eye Of The Lake

The crystal clear, calm waters on Payette lake with the subtlest hints of shades of green on the shore line, caught my eye on a recent hike. The last remnants of ice barely holding on. Then I saw an eye in the lake looking at me! (=