Thursday, July 2, 2009
Centennial Mountains Tour Part 1
Again, I decided to take a tour away from RedRock RV Park (Island Park, Idaho) last week (July 1st). It was a nice day with scattered clouds and warm temperatures ( at least 72F) expected. Reggie and I loaded the car (meaning Reggie loaded himself) with my camera equipment and we departed about 7:15AM. The Centennial mountains are the only East-West aligned mountains that are a part of the Rocky Mountains. They are split into the East and West parts. Driving around them is about 130 mile trip through very nice landscapes including the length of the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. The trip mainly skirts the foothills of the mountains, but at this time of year wildflowers abound.
I'm breaking this up into 2 parts since the trip was so long and there's a lot to say and see. I'll publish the second part soon.
Almost immediately as I left RedRock RV Park, I saw this Swainson's hawk sitting on a fence, chewing on what appears to be a small bird. They will attack small birds, ground squirrels and of course, insects of all varieties. There are a couple of Swainson's hawks that make this area home. I suspect it was one of those.
Swainson's Hawk eating breakfast along Red Rock Road.
The Centennial mountains are feeding several small creeks as I drive along Red Rock Road. The creeks are very full. Those creeks that are on the EAST side of the continental divide (in Idaho), drain into the WESTERN rivers, mainly the Snake. Those on the WEST side (Montana) drain into the EASTERN rivers, mainly the Missouri and then the Mississippi.
Duck Creek and Nemesis Mountain from the Idaho side of the Continental Divide.
The wildflowers are out in force making it difficult for me to make much progress without stopping to photograph them. They are not as much large fields of single flowers, but they are dotted here and there with a variety of flowers. The large Yellow Mule's Ears catch your eye first. Newly blooming is the Indian Paintbrush and they are certainly sure to catch your eye wherever they appear. They are not at their peak yet but soon will be in large patches along the road and creeks.
Mule's Ears are sure to catch your eye as you drive along Red Rock Road.
Staring back at me all along the road is the Unita Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus armatus). They perch high to be able to look for predators, often on top of sagebrush or fences posts. They are thought of pests by ranchers due to the holes they dig which can harm cattle or even people. They are part of the overall scheme of things out here. They eat small insects, and birds, wolves, coyotes and more eat them. They also contribute a lot to the top soil and good drainage here.
Interesting Spires near Mt. Jefferson in East Centennial Mtns from Red Rock Road.
It's important to remember the geology that surrounds us. It actually defines what natural features grow here. The steep mountains to the south of Red Rock road (the centennials) create a special climate on the north, and act as buffers for winter snows to feed life throughout the Spring and Summer. Here's an image to allow you to appreciate the ruggedness of these mountains.
Soon, a white-tailed deer rain across the road, stopped and stared at me. I stopped the Jeep and took my long lens to her at which point she took off. She climbed THRU the wire fence at the side of the road. I had expected her to jump over it.
White-tailed Deer climbing THRU a wire fence at RedRock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Along the road in the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, I stopped to explore the flowers and enjoy the solitude of the mountains, lake and meadows. There were few visitors today and I seemingly had the entire valley to myself. I spotted a bright purple flower peaking from beneath the blue-green sagebrush. It seems to be a crazyweed, kind of a pea like flower. There aren't many specimens but they brighten up the entire area.
Crazyweed.
I'm breaking this up into 2 parts since the trip was so long and there's a lot to say and see. I'll publish the second part soon.
Almost immediately as I left RedRock RV Park, I saw this Swainson's hawk sitting on a fence, chewing on what appears to be a small bird. They will attack small birds, ground squirrels and of course, insects of all varieties. There are a couple of Swainson's hawks that make this area home. I suspect it was one of those.
Swainson's Hawk eating breakfast along Red Rock Road.The Centennial mountains are feeding several small creeks as I drive along Red Rock Road. The creeks are very full. Those creeks that are on the EAST side of the continental divide (in Idaho), drain into the WESTERN rivers, mainly the Snake. Those on the WEST side (Montana) drain into the EASTERN rivers, mainly the Missouri and then the Mississippi.
Duck Creek and Nemesis Mountain from the Idaho side of the Continental Divide.
The wildflowers are out in force making it difficult for me to make much progress without stopping to photograph them. They are not as much large fields of single flowers, but they are dotted here and there with a variety of flowers. The large Yellow Mule's Ears catch your eye first. Newly blooming is the Indian Paintbrush and they are certainly sure to catch your eye wherever they appear. They are not at their peak yet but soon will be in large patches along the road and creeks.
Mule's Ears are sure to catch your eye as you drive along Red Rock Road.
Interesting Spires near Mt. Jefferson in East Centennial Mtns from Red Rock Road.It's important to remember the geology that surrounds us. It actually defines what natural features grow here. The steep mountains to the south of Red Rock road (the centennials) create a special climate on the north, and act as buffers for winter snows to feed life throughout the Spring and Summer. Here's an image to allow you to appreciate the ruggedness of these mountains.
Soon, a white-tailed deer rain across the road, stopped and stared at me. I stopped the Jeep and took my long lens to her at which point she took off. She climbed THRU the wire fence at the side of the road. I had expected her to jump over it.
White-tailed Deer climbing THRU a wire fence at RedRock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.Along the road in the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, I stopped to explore the flowers and enjoy the solitude of the mountains, lake and meadows. There were few visitors today and I seemingly had the entire valley to myself. I spotted a bright purple flower peaking from beneath the blue-green sagebrush. It seems to be a crazyweed, kind of a pea like flower. There aren't many specimens but they brighten up the entire area.
Crazyweed.Another surprise along the road was the Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata). This beautiful sunflower like jewel has purple to purplish brown bull's-eye surround by bright yellow ray flowers. The flower tips have 3 lobes that give the plant a rough look around the edges.
Gaillardia or Indian Blanket Flower blooms in front of West Centennial Mtns.
Gaillardia or Indian Blanket Flower blooms in front of West Centennial Mtns.Not far away I noticed a Red Tailed Hawk sitting in the grass, probably hunting for insects. A was able to get a filtered image (thru the high grasses). Of course eventually he flew away and I spotted his red tail in the sun.
Red-tailed Hawk in Grass at Red Rock Lakes Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
Yellow Salsify Wildflower
Red-tailed Hawk in Grass at Red Rock Lakes Nat'l Wildlife RefugeAnother brightly colored flower that I encountered along my tour has just appeared in the last week and is called the Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius). Its yellow ray flowers face toward the sun and have elongated sepals that almost look like spears to protect it.
Yellow Salsify WildflowerAs usual when I'm in the Refuge I pull into the Upper Red Rock Lakes campground. It is one of the only places you can actually walk down to the lake easily from your car. There are also often song birds flitting around here. Today I saw a familiar friend, the Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). He was singing up a storm, probably trying to attract a mate.
Western Tanager at Upper Red Rock Lakes Campground (Montana)
Not too far away was this Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) stretching his wings on the barbed wire next to the road. These guys are all over the place hunting for mosquitoes and other flying bugs. They are our friends! Along with the Western Bluebird, they are the most numerous bird inhabiting the bird houses placed along the roads here by the Wildlife Refuge. One year I photographed a beautiful brown-breasted Barn Swallow along Red Rock road, but that was the only one I've seen in 8 years of coming here so they must be rare. I couldn't resist including an image I took of the Bluebird on this tour not far from the Swallow. Their colors are beyond belief, especially when viewed in just the right sunlight. Although they are fairly common out here, I never get tired of seeing them.
Tree Swallow.
There's still more than halfway to go on this tour, so come back later for the rest. It takes time to put together these blogs and I'll be out photographing tomorrow, so be patient with me. Please come to RedRock RV Park in Island Park, Idaho and take this tour yourself.
Western Tanager at Upper Red Rock Lakes Campground (Montana)
Not too far away was this Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) stretching his wings on the barbed wire next to the road. These guys are all over the place hunting for mosquitoes and other flying bugs. They are our friends! Along with the Western Bluebird, they are the most numerous bird inhabiting the bird houses placed along the roads here by the Wildlife Refuge. One year I photographed a beautiful brown-breasted Barn Swallow along Red Rock road, but that was the only one I've seen in 8 years of coming here so they must be rare. I couldn't resist including an image I took of the Bluebird on this tour not far from the Swallow. Their colors are beyond belief, especially when viewed in just the right sunlight. Although they are fairly common out here, I never get tired of seeing them.
Tree Swallow.I'll end part one of this trip here. But first, I'll share the wild Wood's Rose (Rosaceae Woodsiii) with you. (This could be the similar Prickly Rose.) There is a small part of Red Rock Road just past the Upper Red Rock campground that is shaded by Aspens and lined by these roses. I always look forward to seeing them each year.
There's still more than halfway to go on this tour, so come back later for the rest. It takes time to put together these blogs and I'll be out photographing tomorrow, so be patient with me. Please come to RedRock RV Park in Island Park, Idaho and take this tour yourself.
# posted by RV Guy @ 8:20 AM 
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