Summary of October Around the Ranch

10/31/2008 - Another month is wrapping up. It was not a very scary day in NW Montana. It started with some high clouds early in the day. At the time, during the morning walk, the horses were walking around the upper pasture. The day became mostly overcast by mid afternoon. The early evening gave the ranch it's first rain in several days. Just enough cloud break-up took place before sunset to give an orange evening color cast to the area. (Perhaps it was the Great Pumpkin setting, instead of the normal sun!?)

Horses on the Upper Hill during the Morning Walk


Orange Coloring in the Evening (the Great Pumpkin Setting?)


10/30/2008 - High clouds flowed about through the sky today. The dogs rested in the filtered sun and warm sand as I did a project near them during the afternoon.

Sunrise as the Horses Milled Around the Shelter


Titan and Taffy Resting in the Sun and Sand


10/29/2008 - Clear sky and fine Fall temperatures here for another day. Some clouds passed through for a couple of hours during the afternoon, but broke up a bit as the day ended.

The Day Breaks Across the Pastures


Just Some Passing Evening Clouds


10/28/2008 - Even as the Fall continues to leave, the sunlight on these clear days highlights the color changes of the season throughout the day. Today was another day with a clear sky and added to the great Fall season in NW Montana.

Early Morning Light Highlights the Woods Colors


The Fall Continues to Leave


Afternoon Sun Brightens the Trees in the Upper Woods


10/27/2008 - The string of clear days is continuing. Today, the temperature was again cold enough in the morning to give a frosty and icy coating to everything. Daytime temperatures again rose through the 50's with dry conditions.

Morning Sunlight and Colors in the Trees


10/26/2008 - Cold start to the day again. But, with sunshine all day, the temperatures continue to rise into the 50 to 60 range making the great fall days wonderful.

Fall Horse Riding in the Meadow


10/25/2008 - Not as cold overnight as it has been the last couple of days. Mostly clear sky after the sun rose over a cloud bank to the east. It was another beautiful fall day today with the colors of the Tamaracks still glowing in the woods.

Sunrise Over Cloud Bank


Farm with Tamarack Colors in the Woods


10/24/2008 - The day at the ranch was clear and gave the ground and ranch fencing a coating of frost again this morning. Normal ranch activities included some work with the horses and tending to the other animals.

Morning Frosted Fencing and Ground


Patti working Jonah in the Neighbor's Meadow


A Cat in the Hat -- (Torrie)


10/23/2008 - Another overnight with clear sky conditions resulted in a frosty look to the pastures this morning. Today, I took a field trip to Glacier National Park and to the Hungry Horse Dam with a friend who is visiting the ranch.

Tracks Across Frosty Pasture



Glacier National Park Looking East Along Lake McDonald



Hungry Horse Dam


10/22/2008 - After a clear frosty start to the day, a sunny and nearly cloud free sky continued throughout. It was a great fall day!

Morning View Framed by the Box Elder Tree


10/21/2008 - The morning started with parting clouds over the hills to the southeast showing a thin covering of snow that fell overnight. Another day of mixed weather took place. There was sunlight mixed with a combination of passing rain and graupel showers. Mid afternoon temperatures in the mid-30's were followed with a breakup of the clouds and afternoon sunshine. The temperature rose to the mid-50's shortly after the clouds broke open again.

Morning Clouds and Snow Showing on Southeast Hills


Passing Afternoon Rain and Graupel Showers


Afternoon Sunlight on Trees and Sunning Horses


10/20/2008 - Light clouds overnight gave a coating of frost to everything. Just at sunrise, a quick shower passed through. Following that, cloudy conditions with temperatures in the mid 30's hung around for the morning.

Fall Grasses Along Fence Line


Along the Fence Morning Colors


10/19/2008 - Breaking clouds were present near sunrise today. The pastures were coated with frost during the morning walk with the dogs. As the sun cleared the clouds, the colors of the changing leaves in the creek trees stood out brightly and the horses grabbed a drink at the water cooler. The day remained clear and it made a great day for second hike through the woods and back up to the top of the hill north of the ranch to get some views of the area.

Breaking Clouds at Sunrise


Leaves of Trees near the Creek Highlighted by Morning Sunlight


Aspen Colors at the Fence Line


View to the Ranch from the Outer Pasture


Fall View from Up On the North Hill Today


Good Fall Day for Horse Riding


10/18/2008 - Mild overnight temperatures with clouds keeping the temperatures steady. The morning gave some quick showers. Broken clouds floated through the sky for most of the afternoon. The upper woods continues to show a mixture of colors as the Tamaracks change color before dropping their needles.

Colors in the Upper Woods


10/17/2008 - Although much of the day was overcast, the sun was out long enough for the horses to enjoy the fall day.

Horses Grazing with Their Shadows in the Sunshine


Jonah Checking the Upper Woods


10/16/2008 - Overcast conditions this morning. The mountains might even be getting a little coating of snow, at least it looked like flurries in the air in the distance this morning. Even with the overcast conditions, the colors of the fall showed in the trees this evening.

Overcast Morning with Box Elder Losing Leaves


Continuing Fall Colors in Upper Woods


10/15/2008 - The colors began today with the morning clouds. They continued with some views of the changing Tamarack trees from the north hill. But, in a few days, all will be gone.

Color in the Clouds at Sunrise


Changing Tamarack Trees


Fading Colors of Fall Around the Ranch


10/14/2008 - A bit of wind blew through overnight. Along with it, came a quick morning shower. This all passed through and resulted mostly clear sky conditions by sunrise. The day was sunny with a nice mix of clouds moving across the sky. It was a great day for a cat to hunt along the creek, and for viewing the fading fall colors.

Vincent Hunting from the Fence


Sunny Fall Day Scenes around the Ranch


10/13/2008 - A mix of sun and clouds with sunlight winning during the very early daylight, clouds dominating the mid-morning through early afternoon, and sun taking over again in the late afternoon. Not as cold as yesterday and good weather to continue the fall tasks.

Sunrise Just Above the Hills


Early Morning Sunlight on the Creek Trees and Woods


10/12/2008 - The day started out clear, if a little cold. The rain barrels had over an inch of ice on them as I pumped them out for the season. Time to winterize all around the ranch. Even with the cold, the horses were (as usual) out-standing in their fields.

Corrie Standing by the Gate


Harmony Close-up


10/11/2008 - Morning clouds got blown away with a bit of a cool breeze today. The day and evening was mostly sunny and temperatures stayed on the cool side for most of the day.

Morning Clouds before Blowing Away


Late Afternoon Sun and Shadows Across the Pastures


10/10/2008 - The snow is staying south of the ranch (that's okay). So, a bunch of turkeys and I worked in the winter paddock to put up a new light system for the nightly animal check. The weather was sunny, but a bit cool most of the day.

Turkeys (and Goldstar) in the Winter Paddock


Daniel, at the New Light Pole


10/09/2008 - A frosty morning today at the ranch. During the day, as the temperatures hung in the upper 50's (indoors!) it was time to put the first logs in the fire for the season.

Morning View East on a Frosty Morning


First Indoor Heating Fire of the Season


10/08/2008 - A mostly sunny day today. The clearing conditions overnight caused some light frost in the pastures. Less windy than it was yesterday, so, it was a good day for a little brush cleanup and burning. The horses enjoyed grazing in fresh grass of the winter paddock.

Burning of the Cottonwood Brush


Cottonwood Ash Pile


Grasses Leaning in the Wind


Horses Grazing in Winter Paddock


Corrie with Sky and Clouds


10/07/2008 - Cloudy with light rain this morning. Then, sunny with heavier rain in the mid-morning. The forecast is for this to continue but with a bit more wind and the arrival of cooler conditions and maybe even some snow by Friday (10/10) ... But, today was good and what will be will be.

A View through the Tree Vee


And Wow! ... I get to Live Here


10/06/2008 - Another mixture of conditions today with clouds and sun traveling through the day. There was just a mist of precipitation that was hardly noticed during the tasks of the afternoon.

Evening Clouds and Some Color Remains


10/05/2008 - It was a typical fall day around the ranch today (video slide show) with a combination of clouds, rain, squalls, sun, and the colors of the season.

Ranch Viewed from the North Hill


10/04/2008 - Clouds with some light rain this morning. The hills in the distance have some light cloud and fog bands moving through the draws.

Featured Box Elder, with Cloud Bands in Distant Hills


10/03/2008 - No golden sunrise this morning. Early morning rain was followed by fog. The mid-morning provided clearing sky conditions and sunshine until mid-afternoon when clouds and another shower passed through the area. Broken clouds and another bit of clearing sky arrived during the evening.

Morning Fog in View East


Breaking Fog and Mid-Morning View of Trees and Plow


Afternoon Sunlight on Box Elder Tree


Mostly Clear in Evening View East


10/02/2008 - Another golden sunrise today. Another great fall day.

Golden Sunrise


10/01/2008 - The sky just before sunrise gives the hint for another clear mild day in NW Montana.

Color in the Clouds just before Sunrise