I captured these swallow nests on the cliffs of the Crimson Bluffs on the Missouri River near Townsend Montana recently. I loved the tone and pattern of the nests against the colored rock.
Canon 1DX 70-200 2.8L IS mkII f8 1/250 ISO800
Fly Fishing the Missouri River
Probably one of the most beautiful fall days I’ve spent floating on the Missouri River in Montana. Cold morning with frost on our boots, amazing brilliant orange cottonwoods lining the banks and hundreds of migrating sandhill cranes in the distance. Could not have imagined a better morning to be out here on the river.
Canon 5d MarkIII, 16-35mm 2.8L mkII, f16 1/180 ISO1600 +1.5
Missouri River, Montana
Gates of the Mountains, Montana. Canon 5dmkII, 70-200 f4L IS. ISO 200 f4.5 1/2000
This image was taken earlier in the week just up the road from my home in Helena at the Gates of the Mountains located on the Missouri River. This boater was braving a very cold morning on the same historic stretch of river that Lewis and Clark journaled a couple hundred years prior.
Happy New Year!
Well it’s official, 2010 is finally over and to celebrate, some crazy, let me repeat, crazy people decided to take a plunge into the Missouri River to ring in the new year. It was a balmy 15 degrees out with a 20 mph wind. I find it some what disturbing when there is a paramedic in a dry suit waiting for you in the water. Crazy Kids!
Apparently this is an annual event in the town of Craig. Supposedly years back the owner of Joe’s Bar across the street and some friends jumped in on a dare. Now everyone’s doing it and it was sure fun to watch…in my nice warm parka, on dry land:)
Gates of the Mountains
Kayaking Gates of the Mountains. © Jason Savage
These are a couple images from the Gates of the Mountains area along the Missouri River. This is probably one of my favorite places to visit along the river and if you haven’t had a chance, you should check it out. Whether by motor or paddle, it’s an amazing trip through not only the geological history that surrounds the river itself, but a journey back in time when Lewis & Clark were paddling upstream through this wild canyon.
There are still Native American pictographs along the cliffs and abundant wildlife that visit the river. Bighorn sheep, Black Bear, Deer and a ton of birds including Bald Eagles.
So if your looking for a good place to paddle for either a day trip or weekend getaway on the Missouri, this is hard to beat.
For tour info: http://www.gatesofthemountains.com/index.htm For Lewis & Clark History: http://lewis-clark.org/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=2844
My Prijon Kodiak kayak sits atop my Subaru. Kayaking or Canoeing this area of the Missouri gives you the best seat along the river and it’s slow current allows you to explore at your own pace.
Sunrise, Gates of the Mountains. © Jason Savage
Merganser Ducks. © Jason Savage
Sunrise on the Missouri. © Jason Savage
Missouri River. © Jason Savage
Decision Point, Lewis & Clark Expedition
Decision Point. © Jason Savage
These are a few photos I took this weekend up near Loma at Decision Point, along the Missouri River and the confluence of the Marias. On their journey west in 1805, Lewis & Clark arrived at this section of the Missouri confused on which route to take. After spending time with the Mandan Indians in North Dakota, there was no mention from their hosts of this portion of the river or which direction to follow. Lewis hiked up to the hill known now as Decision Point for a better view of the two rivers. He assumed since the Marias flowed in the northerly direction and was not as clear, that the Missouri was the correct route to take. He had guessed the clear water of the Missouri must be from the high mountains in the West.
The expedition voted and decided to follow Lewis’s decision. They proved his guess right.
In 1806 upon Thomas Jefferson’s request, Lewis returned to the Marias to explore it’s source further north in hopes of finding a natural boundary that could be used as a land treaty with the British. They were hoping it would end somewhere near the 49 parallel, but instead their journey ended at Cape Disappointment. Lewis named the Marias after his cousin Maria Wood.
Decision Point © Jason Savage
Decision Point. © Jason Savage
Sunset Loma. © Jason Savage
Sunset Fort Benton Area. © Jason Savage
Ice Break-Up
Missouri River. © Jason Savage
If you happen to be in Western Montana lately, you may have noticed that there’s almost some sort of spring like thing happening here. The snow is melting quickly and we are now above freezing!
It should be noted that our warm up and melting snow happened to coincide with my purchase of a new set of cross country skis. So you can thank the Murphy’s Law Gods for this one! Oh well, the spring like weather is still awesome.
When I say “spring like” I am however referring to temperatures in the 40ish’s . So it’s not like the flowers are blooming just yet. Although you’d think they were judging from people’s behavior yesterday. The sun was out and it had warmed up to 35 and people were out on their motorcycles cruising around town!
Crazy. But this being Montana, we still have March and some of April to go, so who knows I may still get some skiing in if I’m lucky…
Missouri River. © Jason Savage
Paddling for Parkinson’s
Joe Forrester. © Jason Savage
This morning I had the opportunity to meet up with paddler Joe Forrester who has begun one serious trip. He started his journey on June 2nd at the headwaters of the Missouri river and plans to paddle it’s entire length to the Mississippi, and from there continue down to the Gulf of Mexico. When he is finished he will have logged almost 4,000 miles.
Joe’s intent for this trip is to raise money to help fight Parkinson’s and by attempting this incredible journey, hopes to bring more awareness to this unfortunate disease. Joe’s Grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005.
From his trip, he hopes to raise $20,000 that will be donated to the National Parkinson Foundation. If you’re interested in learning more about Joe and his Journey or making a donation, please check out his website at www.paddlingforparkinsons.com.
Joe Forrester.© Jason Savage
On his site he has a map with current GPS locations, so you can follow Joe along the journey.
In addition to meeting Joe this morning, fellow Montana Paddler Norm Miller was along to help Joe with his portage. Norm is a great guy who has also done some serious paddling. In 2004 he paddled the Missouri river upstream from St. Louis, Missouri continuing on to the Pacific Ocean. He said it took him over six months to complete the trip.
It was great to be able to hear both Joe’s and Norm’s experience with Paddling the Missouri, as it’s one truly magnificent river. Best of Luck to you Joe!
Pronghorn
Pronghorn.©Jason Savage
Was out and about around the Missouri River this evening and was hanging out with some galloping Pronghorns near sunset. I love watching these guys run, as they are blazing fast. They usually don’t stick around long enough to allow you to get to close, but they do make an impressive sight. Beautiful animal.
Things around Central Montana right now are a definite contrast to how it was a few weeks ago. Temps have been in the 40’s and even 50’s the last week and most of the snow has melted. I’m sure the mild temps won’t last long, but it’s a nice break from the sub-zero weather we were having.
No matter what the conditions, it was nice to be out along the Missouri. There is such a diversity and richness of wildlife along the river and always something to be seen.
Missouri River
Snuck down to the Crimson Bluffs area last night for Sunset and was amazed at the green that is along the Missouri River right now……