Montana Photo

Great Blue Heron. © Jason Savage

Out paddling at the Holding Reservoir near Helena last night, I was glad to see the Blue Heron Rookery busy and lots of new babies. The Canada Geese have also hatched some of their young and they were busy with the cute little ones around the lake.

This time of year is great to be out with no Mosquitoes  and quiet traffic on the water. Now with the weather improving, it’s a great time for a paddle.

Canada Goose Eggs. © Jason Savage

Helena Holding Reservoir. © Jason Savage

Multnomah Falls. © Jason Savage

I know this is a Montana Photography blog-but hey, sometimes everyone needs a change of scenery. I was out photographing the Columbia River Gorge last week and just got back from the road. I really hope to make Oregon & Washington a regular pilgrimage every Spring. Just for the fact that while Spring is rockin’ away over there, Montana is still a few weeks behind.

Oregon Rainforest.© Jason Savage

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular place to photograph, especially if you like to photograph waterfalls and lush green rainforest. Being so close to Montana it’s really a nice few day getaway and an easy drive.

After spending a little time there last week I headed up to Washington State to catch the tale end of the Tulip Festival. It had pretty much ended, but there were still a couple farms hosting some tulip fields. Quite spectacular & great photo-ops.

Skagit Valley Tulips. © Jason Savage

So if your looking for an April vacation not far from Montana, both these locations are great spots to photograph.

You can find out more info at a couple links here:

http://www.crgva.org/

http://www.tulipfestival.org/

Ponytail Falls. © Jason Savage

Now it looks like Spring has finally arrived here in Montana. I know most people are beyond ready, especially with the late season snowstorms we had been having. This weekend looks beautiful with temps making their way into the 80′s by the end of the weekend. Wildflowers should be appearing soon and this weekend should be a great one to be out doing some photography.

Montana State Capitol.© Jason Savage.

Just when we were getting comfortable and enjoying the nice spring weather-what should arrive? More snow! A major storm rolled in a few days ago and just hammered Montana. It snowed for around three days straight leaving well over a foot and half at our home in Helena and much more elsewhere across the state. There were reported six foot snow drifts up near Agusta and St. Mary reported over 60 inches in their backyard.

St. Helena Cathedral.© Jason Savage

I guess we’ll have to wait and see about May-hopefully it will be a little kinder.

Mallards.© Jason Savage.

Well believe it or not Springtime is finally here. Although if you are living east of the Rockies this week, you may have a hard time believing that, as snow flurries have been forecast for most of this next week.

In any case, we had some great weather last week with temps in the 70′s and things really starting to green-up. I was up in the Mission Mountains area near Polson and the National Bison Range last weekend and the landscape is really looking great. The trees are in bloom and it won’t be long before some wildflowers arrive.

Mission Mountains.© Jason Savage.

I was lucky enough to arrive while there was still some snow left on the Missions. This area is great for not only landscape photography, but for wildlife as well. The Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge on the Flathead Indian Reservation has an amazing diversity of birds and waterfowl and just a few miles south is the National Bison Range, which as you can guess has a healthy population of Bison along with some stunning views.

Cow Elk.© Jason Savage.

Now’s the time to get out there and start enjoying our short spring, before we know it we’ll be into summer. Happy Shooting.

Well you’d think your first day of spring would be minus the snow-but not so…. Continue reading

Well Spring is coming and finally got out yesterday and went to scout out some areas along the Missouri River with a friend. It was a good excuse to get out and stretch my legs after spending way too many days hunched over the computer. Continue reading