Just a touch of Fall

Today I took a brief hike, just a few miles, to check the status of the autumn leaves. They are very late compared to the last few years, just a few isolated trees turning color so far, but the cold front that is now moving in should serve to accelerate their progress. That makes a great excuse for returning in a couple of weeks.

This photo was taken from a few miles past the gate on the old road that leads to Mexican Saddle and Penrose Peak in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. The deep canyon cutting into the Cabinet Mountains across the Clark Fork River is the Munson Creek canyon and the Eddy Creek canyon is in the foreground.

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Johnson

Johnson Jumping Spider

This furry little fellow resides just below the Ferry Basin lookout tower at the top of Sonyok Mountain on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana.

The original tower at that site, a 14′ X 14′ cabin, was built in about 1935 and replaced by this one in the 1970’s. It is still in use. I have driven past the base of that mountain for over 50 years without knowing the tower was there until a casual look in that direction a few weeks ago from the National Bison Range revealed its presence.

As Johnson looks toward the west he has this view of the lower Flathead River valley:

The mountains to the left of the river are the Coeur d’Alenes and those to the right are the Cabinets.

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August sunset

This photo was taken in late August from a tall peak as the sun set behind other tall peaks in the distance.

Rainbow web

The setting sun added colors to this silken design. The spider seemed pleased with it.

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It’s not always easy being green!

This pretty green visitor is missing half of one of its front legs, but seems to be doing quite well anyway.

Where does time go?

A few minutes ago it was July:

Suddenly it is September:

Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa