Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Montana

A photo from my archives, taken on 16 September 2012, during a wonderful week's trip down to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park with special friends from England, Linda and Tony (explanation is in my "US holiday, September 2012" set). I had an absolutely amazing week away with my friends from England, Linda and Tony. We left Calgary early on 11 September 2012 and returned late on 17 September 2012. Believe it or not, this was only my second holiday in about 30 years! Some of you may remember that when my Brother in England died almost two years ago, several of my long-time friends who lived in the same city stepped forward and helped me deal with everything long distance, from my Brother's funeral to finding everything possible in the house a good home (donated or sold). All my parents' belongings were there, too, so it was a mammoth task to go through everything and put aside every single personal item or document, which were then shipped to me here. Just one of the priceless things was when Linda went through all my Father's old movies, picked out every inch of them that she thought I would want to have, and then took them to be copied to DVD. Of course, everything was done thoughtfully and lovingly - and it still has me shaking my head that anyone could spend so much time doing SO much for someone else. Anyway, to cut a very long story short, Linda had told me many months before that she and Tony were coming to Canada again and Linda really hoped I would join them for a week getting down to Yellowstone National Park and back. Because I hadn't been away in so long, I was extremely hesitant : ) However, I did go, and had the most wonderfully enjoyable (and spectacular!) time going to not only Yellowstone, but also Grand Teton National Park, and Glacier-Waterton Peace Park! Can never thank Linda and Tony enough for this! I've known Linda since she was a baby (she's about four? years younger than I am, around my Brother's age), so we had a week's precious time to "catch up". I'd only ever met Tony once, when they came to Canada for a holiday six years ago. He deserves a medal for putting up with me for a whole week!! I visited Mammoth Hot Springs and the rest of Yellowstone National Park 30+ years ago, when my kids were very young. I was thrilled to get the chance to see this fascinating area again. Even after six days of the most amazing scenery and wildlife, I still had plenty of joy to feel when we stopped at a Mission Mountain pull-off on our way north to Kalispell, Montana, US, and saw a row of Teasels. I so rarely see these, but I love to photograph them. "Teasel is considered an invasive species in the United States. It is known to form a monoculture, capable of crowding out all native plant species, and therefore is discouraged and/or eliminated within restored open lands and other conservation areas." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipsacus

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! All three photos posted this morning were taken in the United States in September 2012. Thought I would dig into my archives and find three photos to remind me of what a great country the US is and what treasures it holds. Not that I ever forget that. Wanted to wish all Americans everywhere, at home or living in other countries around the world, a wonderful Thanksgiving. Special thoughts to those who are serving their country, and their families, especially those who will not be able to spend the day together. This stunning sunset was seen over Great Falls, Montana, US, when dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, and I, stopped in Great Falls for the night, on our way down to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Taken on 11 September 2012. Believe it or not, this was only my second holiday of any kind in about 30 years! It had been 32 years since I had been to Yellowstone, so I was absolutely thrilled to get this wonderful chance to visit the park again. A fun memory from a previous Thanksgiving, from 2011, added in a comment box below. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search/

Digging into my archives for two of my photos posted this morning.. This was the start of a stunning sunset, seen over Great Falls, Montana, US, when two great friends (from England) and I stopped in Great Falls for the night, on our way down to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Taken on 11 September 2012. Believe it or not, this was only my second holiday of any kind in about 30 years!

Can't remember which side of the Canada/US border this quick shot was taken, from a moving car. Gives an idea of the kind of scenery in that area. Taken on 11 September 2012, the first day of a week's holiday in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. "The peak is easily seen from Montana and Alberta due to the rapid 5,000 foot (1,524 m) altitude gain over the Great Plains which are immediately east of the mountain. Despite the mountain's being mostly in Montana, the distinctive eastern face quickly becomes hidden as one travels south into Montana, but remains very easy to see on clear days over much of southern Alberta. Hence, many businesses in the area (notably Lethbridge) have "Chief Mountain" in their name. Chief Mountain is an example of a klippe. It consists of a Precambrian block which rests directly above much younger Cretaceous gray shales. The surrounding portion of the thrust sheet has been removed by erosion leaving behind this isolated block of Proterozoic rock." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Mountain

Photographed this beautiful wildflower, growing at the top of the cliffs above the River at Great Falls, Montana, US, on 11 September 2012. My reaction when I was there was that it must be a species of wild Sunflower, but I'm not sure. It was pretty, though, highlighted by the sunshine.

I had forgotten what a beautiful place Glacier National Park is until I got the chance to travel though it, with friends, Linda and Tony, from England, mid-September. It had been 32 years since I had been there once before. A wonderful mix of mountain peaks and ridges along with rolling hills. Taken on 17 September 2012, the last day of our week's holiday, on our way from Kalispell to Calgary via Glacier National Park and adjoining Waterton Lakes National Park..

Took this photo as the sun was setting and darkness was almost on us. Had to brighten up the image to see any details of these unusual scultpures, created from small bits of metal. Taken on 11 September 2012, in Great Falls, Montana, US, at the Sacagawea Scenic Overlook on the Missouri River. Sacagawea was the only woman on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This area is part of Giant Springs State Park. This was the first day of our week's trip, when we broke our drive from Calgary to Yellowstone National Park by staying the night in Great Falls. I had expected to easily find information on the Internet about these sculptures, but so far haven't had any luck. "The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition (1804–1806), was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific coast undertaken by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, it was led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Their objectives were both scientific and economical – to study the area's plants, animal life, and geography, and to discover what natural resources were available." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition A short YouTube video, The Spirit of Sacagawea. youtu.be/3AjY2c09sxE

A photo taken in fading light, while my friends and I waited by the river in Great Falls, Montana, US, for the sunset to happen. So now I've finally seen an American Robin in America, not Canada. I wonder if this one had flown south all the way from Calgary, to escape our bitter winter : ) Almost all the Robins here fly south, but we can be lucky enough to see one that for some reason chose to remain here. Taken on 11 September 2012, the first day of our week's trip down to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Spent ages last night trying to find out the name of this mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana, US, but had no luck. Quite spectacular, though, with its banding. Wish I was there right now, especially when I glance through my window and see snow everywhere. Not snowing today, thankfully.

We had a quick stop at Saint Mary Lake with its tiny Wild Goose Island (seen in my photo), on our drive north from Yellowstone National Park to Calgary. We had planned to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but road works had already closed the road just the day before we arrived. Instead, we drove in from the west as far as we could, turned around, drove all the way south and east to eventually enter the park through the east gate. "Saint Mary Lake is the second largest lake in Glacier National Park. Located on the east side of the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road parallels the lake along its north shore. At an altitude of 4,484 feet (1,367 m), Saint Mary Lake's waters are colder and lie almost 1,500 feet (460 m) higher in altitude than Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park, which is located on the west side of the Continental Divide. Here, the great plains end and the Rocky Mountains begin in an abrupt 5,000 feet (1,500 m) altitude change, with Little Chief Mountain posing a formidable southern flank above the west end of the lake. St. Mary lake has a surface area of 3,923 acres (15.88 km2)." From Wikipedia. The lake is 9.9 miles (15.9 km) long and 300 feet (91 m) deep. The waters of the lake rarely rise above 50 °F (10 °C) and are home to various species of trout. During the winter, the lake often is frozen completely over with ice up to 4 feet (1.2 m) thick." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mary_Lake

This was such an amazing sunset! We stood on the cliff above the Missouri River and watched it develop. Taken on 11 September 2012, when my dear friends from Engand, Linda and Tony, and I, stopped for the night in Great Falls, Montana, US. We had left Calgary early that morning and we were on our way to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, to return to Calgary on 17 September.

Even after six days of the most amazing scenery and wildlife, I still had plenty of joy to feel when we stopped at a Mission Mountain pull-off on our way north to Kalispell, Montana, and saw a row of Teasels. I so rarely see these, but I love to photograph them. Friend Tony spotted an insect on one of the heads, which I will post sometime. Thanks, Tony! "Teasel is considered an invasive species in the United States. It is known to form a monoculture, capable of crowding out all native plant species, and therefore is discouraged and/or eliminated within restored open lands and other conservation areas." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipsacus

On our way north to Kalispell from our few days in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, we pulled off the road at this viewpoint to enjoy the distant Mission Mountains - and (for me) the beautiful Teasels growing near the fence : ) Funny how an image can look OK at midnight, but look too busy/messy next morning in daylight, lol. Oh, well, I still want it for my US holiday set. The other day, I noticed tiny snowflake icons on the weather forecast chart for this coming week, so I went out on three days to grab a few photos just in case the forecast turned out to be right. A good thing I did this, as my vehicle has "malfunctioned" and it will have to go in for repair, plus a major service that I'm still a bit early for, but don't want to have to be without my car twice.

A distant, heavily cropped shot, added just as a colourful holiday reminder. Seen near the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell, on 17 September 2012. I love to see them, especially ones that have no huge logo on the balloon.

We had a quick stop at Saint Mary Lake with its tiny Wild Goose Island (seen in my photo), on our drive north from Yellowstone National Park to Calgary. We had planned to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but road works had already closed the road just the day before we arrived. Instead, we drove in from the west as far as we could, turned around, drove all the way south and east to eventually enter the park through the east gate. "Saint Mary Lake is the second largest lake in Glacier National Park. Located on the east side of the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road parallels the lake along its north shore. At an altitude of 4,484 feet (1,367 m), Saint Mary Lake's waters are colder and lie almost 1,500 feet (460 m) higher in altitude than Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park, which is located on the west side of the Continental Divide. Here, the great plains end and the Rocky Mountains begin in an abrupt 5,000 feet (1,500 m) altitude change, with Little Chief Mountain posing a formidable southern flank above the west end of the lake. St. Mary lake has a surface area of 3,923 acres (15.88 km2)." From Wikipedia. The lake is 9.9 miles (15.9 km) long and 300 feet (91 m) deep. The waters of the lake rarely rise above 50 °F (10 °C) and are home to various species of trout. During the winter, the lake often is frozen completely over with ice up to 4 feet (1.2 m) thick." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mary_Lake

Just a rather amusing building adornment, seen in Kalispell, Montana, US, when I spent the night there with my friends on our way back to Calgary from Yellowstone National Park.

Taken on the only dull day in the week I was away with friends in Yelowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. It was a very long day of driving, so was a good day for the weather to be less good for photography. This was one of the places we stopped at en route - Quake Lake, Montana. It had a very eerie feel to it, seeing the dead tree trunks sticking up above the surface of the lake. "Quake Lake (officially Earthquake Lake) is a lake in southwestern Montana, United States. It was created after an earthquake struck on August 17, 1959, killing 28 people.[2] Today, Quake Lake is 190 feet (58 m) deep and 6 miles (9.7 km) long. US 287 follows the lake and offers glimpses of the effects of the earthquake and landslide. The lake is mostly within Gallatin National Forest. The earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale (revised by USGS to 7.3 and caused an 80 million ton landslide which formed a landslide dam on the Madison River. The earthquake was the most powerful to hit the state of Montana in historic times. The landslide traveled down the south flank of Sheep Mountain, at an estimated 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), killing 28 people who were camping along the shores of Hebgen Lake and downstream along the Madison River." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_Lake en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_Yellowstone_earthquake

This was the start of a stunning sunset, seen over Great Falls, Montana, US, when two great friends and I stopped in Great Falls for the night, on our way down to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Taken on 11 September 2012.