Winter's Wonderland

Christmas Eve I took Sadie (my latest Little) out to update her archery photos.  While we were getting set up, I was treated to some ducks flushing from the creek.  

Merry Christmas 2016

Photography by Mike Burg, 7 Hills Photography, Hot Springs, SD

A Celtic Blessing from our home to yours:

This Christmas may you have…

“Walls for the wind

And a roof for the rain,

And drinks bedside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

And those you love near you,

And all that your heart may desire.”

 

 Merry Christmas!!!!

The Setting Moon

Playing on the computer this morning, I happened to glance up out of the window...........

It's Beginning...........

I just have not been in the Christmas spirit this year.  The weather has been SO warm, which I am NOT complaining about, and beautiful, with little to no snow or cool - let alone cold temps, I've just been having a heck of a time getting into the spirit.  We even went to a Christmas party the other night, and though it was fun, a good time and all that.....no coat was necessary until leaving at the end of the night.

This morning as I work in my office, the sun begins to rise, a fresh new world of snow cover is revealed.  OK....I just might be starting to feel the spirit.  

As I went to refresh my coffee cup, I see this sight on the back deck.  Wish I'd gotten the Christmas lights up out there; I think it would have really added to it.

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving is traditionally a day we get together with friends and family to celebrate the things we are thankful for in life.  A day set aside - but shouldn't we remember and be grateful for these things everyday?

I'm thankful for my husband.  I never wanted to be married, yet he tore down those walls and showed me that love is kind.  Bill and I have built a life together through hard work, sacrifice, and shear determination that neither one of us could have done individually - nor realized we could do together.  Common goals at the end have created both personal and financial success.

My dogs are also at the top of my list.  Absolutely no one/thing has unconditional love like dogs.  No matter the mood I wake up in, they love me and give me kisses.  Their expressions and antics make both Bill and I laugh continually.  They are my buddies and companions, snuggler's, and at times, partners in crime.  They complete Bill and I's family.

I am grateful for family.  Having lost my aunt and uncle this past spring in simply unimaginable circumstances, a new light was cast on the importance of keeping in touch.  Family is not just blood/marriage relation, but everyone that has touched my life and helped me grow in all aspects of life.  Sometimes a sounding board, sometimes a kick in the ass, always a comfort knowing my back is covered if needed.

I've been given an opportunity to mentor three different young girls through Big Brothers/Big Sisters since moving to South Dakota.  My heart fills with pride that I have been blessed to have these ladies in my life.  Being a mentor is not just about taking these kids out hunting.  It's teaching opportunities.  Teaching that the biggest thing we can do in life is to pay it forward.  Giving someone your time, be it to teach them a new skill or just be their cheerleader, a lesson in giving of yourself to mankind to bring compassion and kindness back into this sometimes ugly world we live in.

I give thanks for all the service men/woman our great country has.  From military members to our local law enforcement, these people wake up every day and serve their communities - locally and abroad.  They tender time, birthdays and holidays away from their families to give mankind a safe haven in the world, sometimes giving the ultimate sacrifice.  As Americans we celebrate freedoms that no other land offers; the American military and founding people of our land - still today - fight for these privileges.  Thank you for your service.  In a time that there seems to be a great divide in our country and raging hostility toward local law enforcement, I'm grateful we have men and women willing to put that uniform on everyday.  A uniform that says I'm here to protect and serve you - even though I don't know you.  

I'll end this post with gratitude for the material things.  Through hard work and will power, we have a beautiful home, live in a great community, have plenty of food on our table, all the toys a person could want, and opportunities still at our feet.  Life is ever changing, and the adventure you create yourself.  I'm grateful for my health and mobility to savor each experience!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

The Night After

The Super Moon is officially over but the clouds broke for a few minutes allowing me to get a good capture.  The view from our back deck.  How much more splendid can it get?

"The Night After" as the moon starts to disappear.

Super Moon November 2016

Much hype has been broadcast about the Internet, social media, television, etc about the super moon that just happened the past two nights.  After all, it is kind of a big deal...scientists say the next time the moon will appear this large to us here on earth with be 2034 - that's a ways off.

First night (Sunday) the clouds broke just 30 minutes prior to the moon rising...and as I headed to where I thought I wanted to be, the truck said it wanted some go juice.  So a quick stop in Sturgis, then back on the road I was.  As soon as I broke out of the canyon, I saw the wondrous sight, it really was pretty.  Unfortunately, I was a few minutes late to be set up.  I gave it my best attempt, and we all know that photographing the moon has been a HUGE learning curve for me.  I'm still struggling, but, hey, I'll never get it figured out if I'm not out there trying.

Probably my most clear shot of the Super Moon, Sunday, 11-13-16.

            My most favorite shot of the Super Moon both nights, taken Sunday evening.                 "Rest Easy Sentinels"

Monday night found me a bit more prepared, unfortunately, the clouds didn't co-operate and it was over cast.  The moon rose about 30 minutes later than the previous night; had it rose closer in time frame of the previous night, I think some spectacular photo's could have been captured.  

          My best photo of the night....as I awaited the moon rising.  Bear Butte, the center of much   local controversy.   "Evening Reflections"

 

 

 

Much 'noise' in this photo, but as you can see, many clouds, but at least I was able to capture a reflection!

Sepia/Black and White did this photo more justice, I thought.

Again, a lot of noise in the photo.  Sure was a lot of traffic out last night.

Maybe one day I will conquer this learning curve of "shooting the moon".  Until then, I continue to try.

Halloween 2016

The great pumpkin arrived at the Snow Chateau tonight! 

I drew that face then carved it freehand....yes, I am pretty impressed with myself!

A Little Football, A Short Visit

Recently we were able to watch our grandson Reed's high school football game in Guernsey.  Guernsey is ranked #2 in the state in their division.....little ol' Farson-Eden played hard, played cleaned, played straight to a victory.  

Coach made the decision to not play any of the freshman on the team as Guernsey has some pretty big boys on the team, some really hard hits, and lacked on the clean play.  I did get a couple shots of Reed warming up with the team, then singing their victory song to the crowd at the end of the game.  

Reed's step-mom and Dad were kind enough to let Reed spend the night with us as we took the camper down.  Sure was nice to spend some time with him.

Wait, HOW long?

Seventeen (yes, you read that correctly) years ago this afternoon I was in the basement of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cody all dressed in white, standing in the doorway, nervous as could be.  Not because I didn't believe what I was about to do was the right thing to do, but because, well, I really don't know why I was so nervous.  Our friends Ron Knapp and Dave Elkins came down and found me in that doorway exit..."Are you leaving?" they asked.  I said yes, but no way was I leaving.

Fast forward to today; we've laughed, we've cried, we've traveled, we've stayed home.  We've experienced both thick and thin.  We've welcomed grand-kids into the world.  We've always been best friends.  This ride is far from over.  I look forward to what the future has for us to share.

L.I.F.E. is GOOD!

Misty Morning

The morning fog and mist lays along the valley floor already starting to roll out before I can get my camera out.

"Morning Mist"

The Strawberry Moon, June 20th

I've always wanted to be able to take nice shots of the moon.  I continue to struggle with this.  Here's my latest attempt, though I think I'm starting to get better at this.  Now, to continue to figure out keeping the moon in focus while achieving detail...next figure out how to keep the moon exposed properly while being able to see the ground scene as well.  Ah...the learning curve.

Strawberry Moon rises.

Cattle graze the pasture as the moon lights the night.
6/24/16:  This photo just won 'Photo of the Day' at capturedakota.com!  I humbly thank all my peers that voted!!

Storm Cloud

'Tis the season for storm clouds to be rolling around our sky's.  We get some pretty amazing sight watching from the clouds to the lightening storms that blow through both the plains and the hills.  Many of these storms miss us completely - either going to the north or the south.  We just sit on the decks and watch as they pass us by.  Two nights ago, a storm that was capable of producing up to baseball sized hail rolled across the plains just to the north.  Thankfully, I never heard of it materializing beyond just some simple rain.  

This was taken from the front porch basically where the storm started materializing.

 As the storm continued across the prairie, the sun started to set creating some color and  it moved far enough east I took this one from the back porch looking NEN.

 

And finally as it is rolling farther east than we can see and the clouds are picking up lots of reflecting light from the nights sunset.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kind of like the contrast from making the photo black and while.

Campin' Food

Some people have an expectation of the food you'll find in someones camp.  Many people think about the only food one will find on the mountain is hot dogs and marshmallows.  Well, to that I say, NOT!!

Our replacement camper (after our other one was totaled out) FINALLY arrived a couple weeks ago from the factory.  It took us some time to get it all cleaned up and ready to use, but early last week we pulled it up to Sheridan Lake for an initiation run.  It was kind of a last minute decision to go to the lake, so I had to pull from food we had, avoiding a trip to Walmart.  Let's face it, nobody, if they can help it, wants to go there on a Sunday afternoon.

We spent two nights up in the hills - relaxing, kayaking, watching the "kids" play, and enjoying some good eats.  At least, we thought they were.  Check out our last night's meal.

Cornish game hen, corn on the cob and baked potato.  Nummy!!!

Notice there was a photo bomber in the background just a hoping something might hit the ground!  Sorry, Casey...not with this kind of food!

Photo of the Day

Last weekend my photo club got together for our monthly "safari"..... just a day we get together and go take photos together.  This time we met up at our house and toured the north part of the hills a bit.  One of the places we stopped is an old building most likely built around 1880 and was the St. Onge post office for awhile before being converted to a home, though a date isn't known when that happened.  

One of my photos from our day and our stop there recently won "Photo of the Day" on capturedakota.com!  Kind of a big deal to me....

"Wall Decor"

Saying Good Bye

Recently my Mom and I were talking about world events and how blessed our family has been to not have tragedy to have to deal with.  Yes, there have been some pretty nasty accidents for family members to need to heal up from, but tragedy hadn't struck.  That is, until......

Literally, about two days after that conversation, we received a phone call that an unthinkable, evil act had struck our family.  Two family members full of life were taken from us - long before their lives should have ended.  Uncle Carl and Aunt Louise were two of the kindest, loving, good heart, genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing - and privilege to call "Aunt and Uncle".  They loved life, they loved living life, they were an example of humanity, and an example of generosity; I could go on and on.  I have always had deep respect for them, and they will continue to live on in my heart.

 
Go rest high on that mountain...until we meet again, this is only "See ya later."

So....Where Does THIS Road Go?

Spring....the time when Mother Nature has no idea what to do with herself so changes her mind on a regular basis.  (Read - Women's right to change their mind has been a precedence since the beginning of time.  bahahahahhahaha)   These mood changes have been quite evident in all our weather changes since the end of March.....mostly windy, occasional sun, more wind, a little bit of rain, more wind, but occasionally a little sun.  When the sun has come....it's been fantastic!  70* plus for the sunshiny days!  One word - GOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Go, we went!  A couple weekends ago, we were having one of those 70* + days in between, quite cool, windy days so Bill and I loaded up the kids (dogs) and headed to the hills to see what we could find.  We haven't had a lot of time to really find new back roads and see where they took us; that all changed two weeks ago.  One road in particular was good.  Custer Peak Road in the central hills.  Yes, there really is a Custer Peak.  I think I've found a new hiking spot as even in the truck neither of us was excited to drive to the top.

An old homestead along the way.  The stories she could tell.  A shame her roof has fallen in.

This building is basically in the same pasture as the above photo.  I wonder if it was an old calving barn.

And there's Custer Peak.  An active fire look out stands on top.

A view of Harney Peak I've not seen before.  This was taken from a road we'd never been on above Hill City.

A good day for a Sunday drive.

A B.I.G. Step

It's no secret the last couple years in Pinedale were rough on me/us.  It's no secret I wanted out of Pinedale.  It's no secret an asshole contractor stole our life savings.  It's no secret I feel horribly unwelcome in the neighborhood we still own property in.  It's no secret I couldn't be at that property without being physically ill.  It's a pretty crappy feeling that someone you trusted can betray you that much - put a tarnish on our good name and reputation as people, effect our health and well-being, impact our financial stability and yet that person still sleeps at night believing he is an up-standing member of every community he has ever lived in.....and been sued in.  Yes, according to our court deposition, there has been more than one law-suit he has needed to defend himself from.  Then to add insult to injury, the scum-sucking attorney gets the case dismissed.....and doesn't bother to tell us.  Now that was a great way to throw good money after bad.

This past weekend in Pinedale was different.  We went back to deliver a grill to our wonderful friends, Curt and Renan, that Bill built for them.  While we were there it was an absolute for us that we were going to finish cleaning out the barn and close bank accounts.  We've had a couple offers on the place that we haven't been able to get closed.  The good news...we've had offers and the place is still showing.  Showing the day we were there.  One doesn't get an offer without showings.  This is positive.

Saturday started like every other time I've been to the barn in the past, oh, you know, 8+ years....I pull into the subdivision and my stomach started to tighten.  By the time I was on the property, my stomach was in knots and I was looking for a spot to puke that the dogs wouldn't then find appealing.  It changed though.

My physical feeling changed the longer we were there.  The more we got done, the more that was out of the place and ready to haul to the dump, the better my stomach felt.  As more stuff was loaded to come home, the more relaxed my stomach got.  By the time we were down to the last of the last, my stomach was fine.  I was even OK, sitting down to take a break and rest my back.....INSIDE the barn.  It has been years since I have been able to do that.  Loading the very last of the last was almost a calming sensation.  Now, we have no reason to ever "have" to go back.  I feel like a huge weight has been lifted now that we have made A B.I.G. Step in rounding the corner to close the Pinedale chapter of life.  Before leaving town, we even took the time to close ALL of our bank accounts left over there. Yes, there has still been bank accounts as that takes time to take care of.  Time we simply did not want to take or spend.

It was a good weekend.  A weekend I will always remember as a turning point for me.  I can be at the barn and not be physically ill.  That does not mean I don't want to sell.....Get it off the balance sheet!  Having that weight removed from my psyche is exactly what I needed.

Finishing the weekend off......Easter Sunday was spent at Curt and Renan's with them hosting an asado party around the grill Bill built for them with some of our life long Pinedale friends....and a few new ones we met that day.  Then...on the way out of town....we sold the wood stove for the house part of the barn project.  A-L-W-A-Y-S a great feeling to leave town with a little more cash than you arrive with.  

Curt and Bill tending to the fire to make lots and lots of coals.  It was a busy trial run for that grill......leg of lamb, beef tri-tip roast, chicken and a whole bunch of sausage.  (Notice the wheel barrows behind Curt...they held coals to cook all the veggies for dinner!)  And a pretty awesome view to enjoy.

It Started As a Nice Hike......

Spring has been around off and on for several weeks.  Last week, a 60* day insisted me and the dogs went hiking.  Forget house cleaning....the weather was forecast to change and one can't let nice days like that pass you by - even if wind is a big part of it.

I wasn't really sure where to go, or just exactly where I could get to, so we started our day up Mt. Roosevelt above Deadwood with a short walk to Friendship Tower.  

Happy dogs!

Friendship Tower, built in Memory of President Theodore Roosevelt.

That was a nice start to the day, so next we headed up above Hill City.  I'd seen a sign for a dam I wanted to hike into.

A horrible under exposed photo of 2 VERY happy pooches.

Ida is soooo much more photogenic than Casey.

It was a pretty hike.  About half way the road picked up the creek leading to the dam.

Lift off!!!

Landing Gear Down

Unfortunately, the day ended with Ida cutting her paw in the creek.  Thankfully I had some vet wrap with me and was able to bandage it for the ride home.  She's a pretty tough kid...no whimper, cry, whine, nor slow down....until a nap and the pain kicked in.  The next day we headed to the vet, a quick "sleep" and multiple stitches later, she got a new toy.  Being on the injured list isn't all bad....except she would REALLY like to play like normal.  Don't worry kiddo.....you'll be off the injured list in no time.

Day 7 of the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

Today makes my last posting for this challenge.  I sure wish I would have felt better this past week to have gotten out with the camera and found some more sights to share through my lens.  

This was taken this winter in the southern hills just after a storm came through.  I like the contrast of the red rock, green trees and white snow.....a true wintery playground.

After the Storm

Day 6 of the 7 Day Nature Challenge

OK, OK, yes, I know, yesterday was day 6.  Today will be a two for one.  I just don't know what the second one will be yet.

For day 6, I again return to our South Africa trip and Gordon's Bay.  It's true, once a person visits Africa, it gets in your blood and calls you back...again, and again, and again.  Bill and I were blessed to have the opportunity to travel there together twice....different places.  African sunsets rival my beloved Wyoming sunsets.  Memories dance vividly in my head............

The view from our veranda in Gordon's Bay one evening.  The mist, the mountains, the sea, the sailboat.  Africa......a land all her own.

Day 5 of the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

Between the weather and not feeling well, I haven't been out much this winter with my camera.  The wind blowing like we still lived in Cody just doesn't give me much motivation to get out and about.  Yesterday, I happen to walk through the bedroom as the last light of the day was casting across the prairie.  The colors were pretty; though this isn't one of my best photo's, it's the first I've taken in quite some time.  I still like it, as I have a beautiful view.

The evenings last light.

Day 4 of the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

For today's posting, I looked back to some early photos of living in South Dakota.  I found this one....it jogs my memory of the evening.  My very first mentor kid was out for the evening playing with Casey.  A rain storm had come through, Kalisha and I sat out on the deck smelling the sweet smell of fresh rain and Mother Nature cleansing the earth.  As we sat visiting just enjoying one of the simplest things in life, a double rainbow appeared over the trees.  This one is straight of the camera...no editing.

A good day, a beautiful sight, a peaceful remembrance.

Day 3 of the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

For today's posting, I zoom back in time to our trip to South Africa in September of 2011.  While staying in Gordon's Bay, east of Cape Town, we braved renting a car and drove the coastal road up to a small town, Rooi-Els - I think.  We went in search of seeing whales, and though we did see a few, it was a very wet, grey, drizzly day that made it tough to see them.  What we did see however, were little penguins!  Jack Ass penguins!  They were little, cute, animated, vocal curious little creatures!

Though this photo doesn't show it, they have little spots all over their chest.  It was laying season, so I didn't push getting real close to these guys.

Day 2 of the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

When Sarah nominated me to partake in this challenge, it was my intention to grab the camera and get back out taking some photo's as I haven't taken any new photos in a while.  However, I've been fighting a cold for a week now, and still am not feeling up to charging around with the camera in tow.  Hoping in the next day or two I feel more like it.  Instead, I reach back in time to this past September to an early morning on the river.

Casey taking an early morning swim in the Missouri River, September 2015.

 

7 Day Nature Photography Challenge

Every now and then someone will get tired of all the ridiculous nonsense on Facebook and will start a "feel good" challenge to change what is filling people news feed.  By "feel good" I mean, no celebrity Kardashian reality, no bad news....just good thoughts, beautiful scenery, happy place themes.  

Someone has recently started one of these challenges and entitled it the 7 Day Nature Photography Challenge - hence the title of this post.  One of our friends, Sarah D. nominated me to partake in this challenge and post one of my personal nature photo's each day for seven days.  I decided I would also post these here, on the blog, for those that don't do Facebook to see what I consider "feel goods".  I hope you enjoy.

Today's photo is from our trip down the west coast this past fall. 

I believe we were at a look out in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor on the coast of Oregon - Scenic Highway 101.

One for the "Coolest Things Ever" Books

Last week as I was coming home from town I saw one of the coolest things ever.  As I rounded a corner down on the county road, I saw a bald eagle sitting in a tree above where I know there is a dead deer.  Nothing extraordinary about that, but then.......a bald eagle in flight came from behind and underneath another bald eagle.  As the first one came from behind, he inverted like he was going to take the second one out.  They locked talons and tumbled downward.  Of course I didn't have a camera with me, so I raced home to grab it and headed back to the county road.  By the time I got back, the show was over with. D-R-A-T-T!!!!!  

I did have a couple photo opp's of two of the three eagles however.  One of the flight birds was on the kill, while the other two were hanging out, sitting pretty in trees.  The one on the ground didn't stick around long, and left right quick.

Some say this was a display of breeding, however, because the talons were locked and they did not stay in flight, I don't think it was a breeding flight.  I could certainly be wrong, we'll never know.  

A Review of 2015

Last year I started going back through my photo's and choosing my favorites for the year - did the same thing this year.

The photo's I choose, I choose for different reasons....Some I like the composition, some the subject matter is  important to me, or it brings up a happy memory, or I just plain like how it turned out.  Here's my 2015 Photographic year in review - no particular order.  A little long, I apologize, but I do think it's the best of the best.