This evening I went for a brief hike to a place I know where there is a pretty good chance of seeing a moose. This wasn’t the day for moose, but I did come upon a gorgeous black bear with shiny, long, jet-black hair (the 7th I’ve seen this summer) and another pleasant surprise; a glimpse of some early fall colors. These are shrubs growing on an area burned in a forest fire many years ago.
Montana Outdoors 
Fabulous color!! I enjoy this image very much!
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Comment by Stacey - Addicted to The Click — September 13, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
It’s a pretty scene, isn’t it! This is a high ridge above a small creek several miles from where I live. It’s close, but quite rugged and wild country. I go there often and nearly every time find a pleasant surprise waiting if I hike far enough.
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Comment by montucky — September 13, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Wow, that certainly looks like autumn. But where’s the bear?
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Comment by Candace — September 13, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
I really wish I could have gotten a photo of him but he was quite shy as most are. He was very large (probably well over 200 lbs) and an absolutely beautiful specimen. He’s still on that ridge somewhere if you want to go look for him! 😀
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Comment by montucky — September 13, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
Such a brilliant hillside. But I’m so sorry this summer is over, I’m not ready for the cold weather this year!
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Comment by Cedar — September 14, 2009 @ 4:23 am
I’m looking forward to the cooler weather of Fall, but I’m not looking forward to winter either. I do fine until Christmas and come out of it in March, but January and February are just not that much fun any more.
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 7:48 am
I’d like to add my “Wow!”. Those colors against the blue sky really makes this image pop.
Do the moose like the browse of these shrubs?
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Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — September 14, 2009 @ 7:52 am
I suspect they do because I’ve seen them on that burn many times and there were lots of their droppings around.
The light was just right to bring out the colors. The sun had set in the canyon bottom, but still shining on the ridgetops.
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Great stuff! I can’t wait to see what you do with a full palette of fall colors.
Oh, and I wouldn’t worry about Jan/Feb, with that wood pile and a hand axe you can keep yourself amused for weeks!
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Comment by DaveABirding — September 14, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
Well, we’re only a few weeks away from the fall colors now. I hope you’ll post some photos of the Colorado Aspen! I lived in Denver for three years and always loved to get out and see them.
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
Hard to believe we’ve hit mid September. Are the dates on the calendar moving faster or am I imagining things! 🙂
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Comment by Bo Mackison — September 14, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
I know what you mean, Bo. Maybe somebody installed a turbo boost on the calendar.
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
It definitely feels like fall! Beautiful capture of the fall colors. Glad you got to see a black bear…. We saw one grizzly in Two Medicine on the hillside.
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Comment by Maureen — September 14, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Isn’t it great to see the Griz! Maybe next year I can get up there and get a shot or two. Probably getting a little cool up there at night, isn’t it?
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Dad, did you follow proper bear techniques or did you get your head ripped off?? Ha ha Great colors. Love you!
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Comment by Juls — September 14, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
I had my usual bear protection, in magnum loads. (I wonder why they didn’t show that in the video?!) Love you too, Hon!
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Comment by montucky — September 14, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
True colors, and nice to see.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — September 15, 2009 @ 7:03 am
Just a start so far.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Oh how pretty! Yes, the colors are starting to turn here in Kansas too. I’ve enjoyed the cool nights. 🙂
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Comment by Anna Surface — September 15, 2009 @ 8:59 am
Yes, the cool nights are a pure pleasure! We’ve had a few in the 30′ but now all are in the 40’s. Still 80’s daytime though.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
This hillside reminds me of a spot on the Steven’s Pass Highway (#2 Washington). It apparently was also burned many many years ago because it has almost no trees on it like this one. But come fall, it is a blaze of color, again like this one. Splendid capture.
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Comment by Iona — September 16, 2009 @ 12:35 am
Those were likely the same shrubs as these; we’re in a quite similar climate zone. One of my favorite websites for plants is at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington.
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Comment by montucky — September 16, 2009 @ 1:02 pm