Come hell or high water, smoke or pandemic – Montana, here I come.
Thanks mostly to COVID-19 but also to issues related to my bad back I haven’t been on a real camping trip all summer and with winter rapidly approaching I’ve become increasingly anxious about getting ‘out there’. Somewhere. Anywhere. So this morning I’m heading north, back to my native state of Montana and nearby areas in Idaho.
One of my goals of course is bird and wildlife photography but primarily I just have to scratch my itch to experience backcountry wildness again before the snow flies.
I’m mostly packed and ready to go. All I have left to do is load up some more food and clothes, hitch trailer to pickup and hit the road.
Getting ready for a trip like this is a monumental task. I’ll be mostly in the back country on rough dirt roads far from where I can quickly replenish supplies or get repairs so I have to be pretty much self sufficient. Here we see just some of the supplies I carry with me, including:
- 14 gallons of extra gas (plus my 36 gallon pickup gas tank)
- 30 gallons of extra water (plus about 40 gallons on board the trailer)
- a second spare tire for the pickup (I also have 2 spares for the trailer)
- 2 generators – I need the second one for AC
- a spare 12 volt battery (I have 2 large 6 volt batteries on the trailer)
- a large storage box (that we can’t see in front of the gas and water containers) filled with tools, portable air compressor, water pump, another jack, bungee cords, ropes, ‘cheater bar’, shovel and more
On these trips something as simple as a flat tire can be a very big deal and breakdowns can’t be anticipated so I like to be as prepared as possible.
As far as photography goes one of my many target species is Ferruginous Hawks. But on these trips target species have a way of not panning out so I won’t jinx myself by mentioning any more of them.
One of the purposes of this post is to give readers of Feathered Photography a heads up about several effects this trip may have on my blog:
- I may or may not have internet access for part or even most of the trip so don’t be surprised if there are days I don’t post to Feathered Photography.
- Even if I can post this time of year I don’t expect birds to be plentiful or cooperative so Feathered Photography may seem more like a travelogue than a bird photography blog.
- I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. My biggest fear is smoke from the California fires and other points to the west. If the smoke becomes bad it may be a short trip.
Wish me luck. And no smoke.
Ron
Have a wonderful trip. You plan to enjoy the seclusion except for your feathered friends. I look forward to seeing your many, many photos of who knows what!! Be safe and be careful!!
Have fun!
…and a roll or two of duct tape??? Safety pins? Clothes pins? Rope? Be safe… wishing you good weather and good birding, quiet and space…know the feeling..can’t scratch that itch anymore…so live vicariously through you and others…👍🍀😊
Of course I am wishing you luck and a safe and smokeless trip. With birds. And a scratched itch.
Wishing you safe and happy travels! 🙂
Like many others we’ve had to cancel some trips… so happy that you’re taking one ❗️
ENJOY 😁
What a set-up you’ve got there! You’re likely already on the road as I write this, so I’ll just wish you an excellent adventure, with plenty of birds, clear skies and no unhappy interruptions. That is a fantastic Ferrug photo, BTW.
Travel safe, Mr. D! 😉
Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Wishing you skies filled with birds and stars, no smoke, an easy drive with no surprises, and getting every itch scratched. 🙂
Even if the critters aren’t plentiful, I’m sure we’d all love to see your take on Big Sky Country. 🙂
Be safe, friend!
Is that a baseball bat, by the bins behind the trailer?! Self-defense?
Safe travels!
Have a wonderful trip, Ron. I wish you abundant birds and other wildlife, and a lack of smoke. Stay safe and have fun!
Go for it, Ron ! How I wish I were going with you! In a world were it seems we have so little control over all the horrible things that are happening , it must feel great to resume your own personal adventure.
Here is hoping your trip is everything you hope for and more. After the last two days I am ready to escape as well. I didn’t lose any trees but received many donations from others. Thank goodness there wasn’t snow included in the valley or it would have been worse. Have a safe and enjoyable trip and I look forward to whatever you post.
Stay safe. Anxious to see what you return with. Your hawk pic is so beautiful.
Safe travels, I am glad you are going. Hopping you have blue skies and many bird encounters.
I am glad I like to only tent camp (tenting), I am too lazy to pack all that stuff you take. I have extra stuff for emergencies along with essentials but except for the cooler everything fits in my car trunk.
Sometimes you just have to do it! Bon Voyage, Good luck, and most of enjoy the peace and serenity of time with nature. ☺️ That is one beautiful raptor by the way…hopefully we will be able to enjoy more photos when you return! 😍
Luck!
Stay out there until the snow flies – you deserve it!
Nice new rig. Just like mine. I panned the tail gate step but this old guy has come to love it. Love your backcountry setup in the truck.
Happy trails.
Don’t forget your camera.🙂
Have safe and birdy vacation. At least you will have your potty along with you. The thing about traveling is the public restrooms. I really want to go someplace but…
Safe travels, Ron. I wish you nothing but great birds and awesome vistas.
I wish you the VERY BEST of trips ! What a “prep” list ! ( and I’m so glad
you had that huge elm taken out before Tuesday’s storm–you didn’t really mention it,
and many in your blog posse won’t know that the Salt Lake valley was hit
by a “derecho” 2 days ago, and lost literally hundreds of huge old trees-
uprooted and blown over )–so you won’t have THAT to worry about anymore.
I wish you good weather and as many beautiful bird shots as possible !
Thanks for the good wishes everyone. I still have a fair amount to do so it’ll probably be a couple of hours before I leave.
Non Voyage,
Be safe and may you have a sweet surprise visit from something totally unexpected!
Best of luck on your trip. Stay safe and stay well.
You really are prepared for the worst! I have driven a big rented 32-foot RV only once. I scraped the undersides on a hump in a dirt parking lot and had to un-bend the step and a bit of the sheet metal but it passed inspection upon return. Wow, what a great shot of the Ferruginous! When I first saw one I was impressed at how powerful and eagle-like it seemed to be.
Yes – get up there before the snow. I had forgotten how beautiful a Ferruginous in flight can be. Outstanding shot. Love your, “come hell or high water” a saying that most young people today have never heard. I remember my grandfather often saying that and I’m 82. Good luck via con Dios.
YEA! He’s off! Hope it goes well – sounds like the rest of the week will be nice BUT “who knows”……… 😉 Preparation is key any time and particularly now with smoke and Covid…….
Have a great adventure Ron! Love the Ferruginous Hawk photo. Will wish you safety & joy every morning.
Bon voyage! And lots of good wishes for no smoke — as well as no fires, and no breakdowns. I suspect you’ll find plenty to photograph!
I hope you’re right. Thanks, Shoreacres.