This post is largely a collection of photos that documents some of the bird species I photographed on our recent camping trip to southwest Montana. Most of these images have flaws and as I’m prone to do I’ll be pointing those flaws out but for me each of the images has something positive to offer to make up for their shortcomings.
Until this trip I had never even seen a Least Flycatcher but this time I actually photographed two of them in two days on the very edge of their known breeding grounds. This tiny but aggressive little bird posed for me near a campground just over the Montana border in Idaho. I’m not fond of the long, straight vertical stem in the background at right but I was still happy to get the flycatcher in my viewfinder.
The Black-headed Grosbeak has been another elusive species for me but I was able to get fairly close to this female in the same general area as the flycatcher. There were plenty of attractive natural perches within a few feet of her but of course she chose galvanized wire instead.
Her mate was slightly more cooperative in the perch he chose but just to aggravate me he positioned himself on it so that two of those galvanized wires would be included in the background. They’re out of focus but still very visible.
Both the Red Rock River that flows through Montana’s Centennial Valley and Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge were named for the color of the rocks that can be seen in a few places in the valley. They’re not commonly seen by most visitors but I was happy to get them in the background of this image of an American White Pelican in flight and nearly at eye level. The light is a little harsh and the bird is tight in the frame but the image is cropped very little so I didn’t have much wiggle room for composition.
This is one of the House Wrens nesting in the “glory hole aspen tree” I posted about previously. These birds are hyperactive little buzz-saws and I’ve never before come this close to catching one at take-off or in flight. It just happened to perch in this bright spot for a moment in the otherwise dappled light so for an instant I had enough shutter speed (1/5000 sec) to get this incredibly fast bird fairly sharp as it took off. But of course I clipped a wing…
All but one of these bird images was taken near a spot that has special meaning for me. I have a story to tell that may or may not be of interest to my readers but I can’t be in this area without thinking of it so I’ll present it anyway.
From 1874 to 1879 my paternal great-grandfather Joseph Smith Dudley (as is apparent from his name he was an early Mormon pioneer, he and his brother Hyrum were the first white twins born in Utah) hauled freight in heavy wagons along the Old Montana Trail from Corinne, Utah to the Montana gold fields – especially Helena and Fort Benton. It was an arduous journey fraught with danger from Indians, outlaws, accidents and brutal weather. These early freighters, including my great- grandfather, would stop at the Beaver Canyon Stage Station near Monida Pass (named for Montana and Idaho and located at the continental divide) for a brief respite before continuing their journey. This historical site marks the spot where the station stood, near Interstate 15 which can be seen in the background.
Joseph’s visits to the station ended in 1879 because of a tragic event that occurred back in Utah. These round trips to the gold fields took many weeks and in his absence Joseph’s wife was having an affair with another man. On the night of February 10, 1879 (back in Utah) Joseph and that man got into a vicious fight and Joseph killed him with a pistol (three shots, one in the cheek and two in the mouth but no teeth were broken). Joe was charged with first degree murder.
The trial in June of that year lasted 5 days (almost unheard of in those days) and the jury found Joseph not guilty by reason of self-defense (the story is long and convoluted but I have voluminous copies of the trial records, newspaper articles and even the note that the jury foreman passed to the judge announcing the verdict). In those days there were serious tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons in Utah and the verdict was controversial to say the least. Soon after the trial Joseph’s home was “mysteriously burned to the ground” and eventually he remarried and moved to southern Alberta where he died in 1928. I was unaware of this event until a few years ago when I started digging into my family history. My parents had already passed away and I have no idea if they knew about it or not. I’m fascinated by my family history, warts and all. I give the jury the benefit of the doubt and assume they made the right decision but who really knows…?
Anyway, I pass the site of the former Beaver Canyon Stage Station every time I return to Utah from Montana and when I do my mind wanders. If this tragic event had not occurred Joseph likely would never have moved to Alberta, his son (my grandfather) would never have moved 50 miles south to the Montana farm where I grew up and my father wouldn’t have met my mother (who was Canadian). And where would that leave me??? Pondering the existential vagaries of life can be almost mind-blowing if you allow it to be.
And ponder I do on the 300 mile drive home…
Ron
Addendum: As an afterthought I decided to include the following image of Joseph Smith Dudley
Image courtesy of Utah State University Special Collections – Compton Collection. Used by permission
This photo of my great-grandfather was taken in 1912 when he was 61 or 62 years old. One of his sons was also named Joseph Smith Dudley as was one of his grandsons. When you’re trying to track family history, three individuals with exactly the same name can be very confusing so I’ve always affectionately referred to him as “Killer Joe” to easily make the distinction….
A little more history that I enjoyed hearing about.When I stayed in the Cypress hills in southwest Saskatchewan I read about the families of many ranching families that came here from Montana, even Sitting Bull when he was on the run from the American authorities.. also a great series of birds, finally seeing more myself, very enjoyable.
I love to hear the family history of the pioneers. Things are so different now I doubt if we would be able to come up with the fortitude and strength to live their lives. my great great grandmother was Mary fielding Smith and reading her story makes me cringe. thanks for the interesting story!
Wow, Mary Fielding Smith! You and I have even more in common than I was aware of, Tana!
Love Ellie Baby’s description of parents…mine were much the same. My mother often recounted stories of incidents that happened to ME,as if they’d happened to her… And sometimes they were so “enhanced” that I almost didn’t recognize them at first. She was such a good storyteller that I enjoyed hearing them too much to correct her…(I was also too chicken!)…besides, she told them so convincingly, who’d believe me!!! You contradicted her at your own risk!!!
One of my favorite of your posts. The human background geography & historical photo added to your amazing animal photography makes it all the more interesting.
Thanks very much, Philip.
I not only have “warts” myself, but Am one…and proud of it!!!
We supposedly have so many different nationalities in our background, they had to ALL be “warts” who had to keep on the move to escape the law, and therefore got to intermarry with a variety of “locals” depending on where they were hiding out…most were apparently from the West and Midwest. We have an old photo of my great grandfather sitting on his porch in Iowa, cleaning his gun, a shotgun or rifle, one finger blown off, the stump tied off with a piece of what I was told was piano wire. .You name it, we claim it…..
I have a vision in my mind of that photo, Patty. Your great-grandfather must have been a tough old bird!
Genealogy is one of my loves! It is so interesting. I’ve tracked one side back to English royalty. Unfortunately that would be King Richard 3 who may or may not have killed his own nephews. He did imprison them in the tower. Yeah…there’s a wart!
The Black-headed Grosbeak female appeals to me. Sitting on that barbed wire she could easily represent some inner city kid ready to take on the world.
Your “warts” and mine (and those of other families) are a sign of family character, Arwen. Some of it good, some of it not so good, but character all the same. It would be boring without them…
Well-proportioned, straight nose, strong jaw, nice, square chin, good cheek bones….the set of the ears….Hmmm! I see quite a resemblance! Love images of the birds, but must admit I live the story/history even more…
Good eye, Patty – those Dudley ears are a family trademark and heirloom!
Wonderful images (and I love that you start with an lbj). Stunning story. Most of my family history is shrouded in mystery (probably deservedly so). Compounded because my mother didn’t have an intimate relationship with truth and my father made an oyster look garrulous. I would love to have a window into the past like the vignette you gave us – and it would have me pondering too. Often.
I loved your description of your parents, Elephant’s Child.
Wonderful historical notes, Ron! We won’t go into all the “warts” in my ancestral line! Let’s just say some of the family tree’s branches supported nooses……
The most startling revelation of your post for me was seeing actual photographs of a bird perched on (“gasp”) – wire!
Superb photos, all!
(Thank you so much for the response to my recent technical questions. I really appreciate it!)
“We won’t go into all the “warts” in my ancestral line! Let’s just say some of the family tree’s branches supported nooses……”
You do have a way with words that I enjoy, Wally. That line was an example!
Seems like both you and your great grandfather are capable of ‘wonderful shots’! 🙂
I love the portrait of Joseph Smith Dudley – full of life… and appreciate the story, which I read in its entirety as posted by you. I think most of us like our relatives that stepped beyond the pale, if we don’t suffer immediate repercussions. Captain Moonlite, hanged as a cattle rustler in Australia, was the first cousin of my great grandfather, as I understand it. Colorful character, and I must say he got what was coming to him.
Of these photos of yours, I especially enjoy the female Black-headed Grosbeak and pelican – thanks!
Yeah, I hadn’t thought of that, Alison – both Joe and I are (were) shooters of one kind or another. As for me, I prefer the camera…
I think I’ll be looking up “Captain Moonlite” – sounds interesting!
Love, love love the”killer Joe” story!
Ron, my ancestor, a scared kid, deserted George Washington’s army! We call him “the one who ran away.” Such small human stories, yours and mine, bring history alive…
“Such small human stories, yours and mine, bring history alive…”
Absolutely, Susan. I could not agree more!
I thoroughly enjoyed both the bird photos and the family story! So is that sign the only marker that is left of the stage station? No historic building remnants or artifacts? Fascinating, nonetheless!
Kathryn, There are no historic buildings or obvious artifacts left that I’m aware of. I’ve been looking for a photo of the station but so far have come up empty.
I Ron
I have been away for a week and it took me awhile to catch up with your blogs because I didn’t want to miss anything important.
About today’s blog and the life of our ancesters that is what I call “big stuff” and unless there is something important to pass on we better leave things as they are because generally speaking, They were like we are now, people with good and bad behaviors trying to be happy and have decente lives.
Back to birds, today’s collection is beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Not beeing disrespectful two things made me smile in your story : the name “Killer Joe” you have used to make the distinction and visualizing “three shots in the mouth, no teeth were broken”. Definitively your ancester was a top shooter…
Thanks, Jorge. Actually I just reviewed the facts about the shooting and I made one minor error. There were only two shots in the mouth – one of them hit his cheek. I’ve edited my text above to reflect that. And yes, I believe Joe was handy with a gun but most adult males back then in the American West probably were too – they had to be.
Ah what FUN!! Love family history, warts and all!
My bet would be on the majority of the jury, at that time in our history, placing more emphasis on the fact that Joe was taken advantage of while he was away working! What happened to the unfaithful wife???? That probably trumped all else.
Great story, and by the way, excellent shots regardless of the items in the background! All keepers, especially your life bird, what a terrific shot!
I think that’s part of the reason, Dick. From the records I have it’s also likely that he was found not guilty partly because several witnesses testified that the “other man” (his name was Henry) had threatened Joe’s life repeatedly and that Henry most likely also had a gun on him during the fight. That gun was never found but Henry’s family members were with the body for some time before the authorities arrived so the implication is obvious. Joe also testified that Henry had a gun.
The “unfaithful” wife (Matilda) and Joe divorced soon after the trial and she later remarried, had children and apparently lead a respectable life. I’ve visited her grave. And actually she may very well have been at least a partial victim here too. During trial she testified that after the affair began (it lasted 5 years while Joe was gone much of the time on his trips) she tried to break off the relationship but Henry threatened her, saying if she broke it off or told anyone about it he would “mash my brains out, kill my husband and drown my children”. Those children were hers and Joe’s, though Henry claimed to have fathered them both. One of those children and his family are actually buried in the same cemetery near my home where my parents are now buried.
There are other interesting and disturbing details too – more than I can go into here. Years ago I set up a crude website explaining it all. Here’s the link if you’re interested – http://mydudleys.net/webpage_006.htm
Loved the photos, and your story, warts and all.. My great grandfather also had an errant wife who, during the divorce trial, shocked the courts by not wanting custody of her son- my grandfather. It’s interesting to learn the stories of the fallible humans that got you here on your journey. Amazingly, we are here enjoying life!
“It’s interesting to learn the stories of the fallible humans that got you here on your journey”.
That’s exactly the way I look at it, Suze. Some folks react to this story by wondering why I don’t keep it hidden but as you imply people of all generations are fallible to some degree or another and I don’t feel any personal shame about what my ancestors may or may not have done (although I do feel some pride in the accomplishments of my more notable ancestors, which isn’t really consistent…) I simply find it all fascinating.
What wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great images, great story. You’ve perfectly illustrated thoughts I’ve had myself. The lives of our ancestors … a small few of the stories we know … so many we don’t. And the Great What Ifs of life … in my case, for example … what if there had been no Russian Revolution?? Interesting food for thought. I enjoyed your post very much, Ron … I wish you and Mia could stop by for coffee and we could chat about these amazing universals some more.
Thanks very much, Lois. Birds and family history are a strange mix I know but this time I couldn’t help myself. The “coffee chat” would be fun I’m sure, for all three of us.