August Summary around NW Montana

This is almost a duplication of the post I do in Day by Day in NW Montana. Sometimes, I modify the posting slightly when I insert it here with just some extra odds and ends. This month, the most noteworthy event was the fact that the high rainfall during the early part of the month resulted in the reservoir filling and the creek running for a number of days. The flow lasted about four or five days. Then, the creek flow was just what was draining from the reservoir. No additional inflow took place through the end of the month. One drawback of the reservoir still having water in it is that the apples dropping of the tree near the reservoir are difficult to fetch. As August ends, all is well at the ranch here in NW Montana.

August 2009: A Mix of Scenes (Slide Show)




Monday, August 31, 2009: The week is beginning and the month is ending on a continuing warm, dry, and mostly sunny streak. There were some clouds along the east edges late in the day, but they were well over the mountains and not a factor for us here at the ranch.

Evening Clouds to the East ... after a Sunny Day


Sunday, August 30, 2009: It was a sunny, warm, dry day in NW Montana. I guess the cloudiness of yesterday was the rain event forecast for today and it just happened a day early and didn't have any rain in it, either.

The Box Elder in the Evening Sunlight


Saturday, August 29, 2009: The sun made an appearance just before a cloud bank slid over the area today. The cloud and filtered sun conditions continued for most of the day.

Morning Sky through Amber Filter


Neighboring Farm in Merged Images through Amber Filter


Friday, August 28, 2009: None of that partly cloudy sky today. Totally clear from beginning to end giving a sunny, warm, and dry day at the ranch.

Barn Complex in the Morning Light


Thursday, August 27, 2009: Sunny with some variable cloudiness moving through the sky. Still the day was warm, with scattered clouds, and dry. These are the three key weather phrases that defined another day at the ranch.

Repeating Morning View of Horses near the Box Elder Tree


Wednesday, August 26, 2009: Some clouds around the east horizon early today. The sky contained scattered high clouds throughout the morning. Even as the summer days continue to be dry and warm, it is time to get ready for the coming winter. This afternoon, splitting of wood was done as part of that winter preparation.

View Across Pasture to Ranch Buildings


Splitting Wood and Filling the Trailer


Tuesday, August 25, 2009: The string of dry and clear days continues in NW Montana. Not overly warm, so it was basically a nice pleasant day (with a cool start, too).

The Box Elder Tree Casts a Large Morning Shadow


Monday, August 24, 2009: Bright morning sunshine and cool overnight temperatures.

Morning View of the Box Elder Tree, and Horses


Sunday, August 23, 2009: Mostly sunny, cool overnight and slowly rising temperatures begin the day in NW Montana.

Evening View of the Box Elder Tree


Saturday, August 22, 2009: Clear sky conditions through last night and into today. The forecast had been for near record temperatures and although warm, no records were broken.

Morning Sunrise


Friday, August 21, 2009: A rouge 'near-clear-air' thunderstorm dropped a trace of rain just after 8:00 A.M. The day was sunny and warm, except for that short event. The grass cut for hay yesterday was raked one more time for drying, and later, the baling of pasture four was done.

Baling Hay in Pasture Four


Thursday, August 20, 2009: A clear sky repeated for today. It was a good morning for the daily walk with the dogs. Later, the swathed windrows were raked and made ready for baling of the hay that will take place tomorrow.

Morning Walk with the Dogs


Windrow Rake Poised above Pasture Four


Wednesday, August 19, 2009: Clear and warm around NW Montana today. This allowed the remaining uncut pasture to dry enough (after last week's rain) so that yet another round of swathing, raking, and baling could begin.

The Morning Sun over the Trees


Another Round of Swathing, Raking, and Baling begins: Swathing Pasture 4


Tuesday, August 18, 2009: A sunny start to the day. Less humidity in the air meant little if any overnight fog in the low areas. A mild day resulted with conditions drying out enough that the creek, which had refilled last Saturday as a result of the rainy week last week, stopped flowing again today.

Morning View East and South



Monday, August 17, 2009: Mostly cloudy, cool, and some fog in the valley to start the day. There were good sized breaks in the clouds during the morning resulting in mostly sunny conditions. From around noon until mid-afternoon, the cloud mix thickened again with mostly cloudy conditions. The assorted mix continued with some breaks which allowed the late afternoon to be partly sunny, with the temperatures able to rise into the low 70's.

Orpheus Rests while Corrie Drinks and Winnie Watches


Sunday, August 16, 2009: Today was one of those days with a mixture of sun and clouds again. Partly cloudy sky around sunrise turned into showers around noon-time. The afternoon continued with the showers disappearing and some sun breaking through from time to time. There were some impressive clouds in the late evening sky that gave just a few drops of rain here at the ranch, but likely had more rain dropping as they headed over the hills to the east. The creek reservoir filled overnight and the creek was flowing this morning.

Big Sky Cloud Mix Today (Slide Show)


Saturday, August 15, 2009: Today began with the sun shining and partly cloudy sky conditions. A quick change took place shortly after 8:00 AM when clouds returned to cover the entire sky. The clouds stayed around most of the day and produced some thunder and rain during the evening. A mixture of parting clouds and late day sunlight ended the day.

Evening Showers Over East Hills


Some Late Day Sunshine Lightened up the Paddocks


Friday, August 14, 2009: The day began with a repeat of clouds in the sky and fog in the hills. A mid-morning through noon rainfall dampened the area and kept temperatures cool. The day continued with passing showers from time to time. A thunderstorm passed through during the early evening. This rain activity kept temperatures struggling to stay above 50 degrees. I heard a forecast for snow in the higher elevations over the next day or two. Can this be the middle of August?

Fog and Clouds over the Neighboring Farm


Fog and Clouds over the East and Southeast Hills (much like yesterday...just more rain!)


August Singularity


Thursday, August 13, 2009: Some light rain overnight lingered into the mid-morning. Mostly cloudy conditions gave just passing opportunities for sunlight today. There was some clearing of the sky during the mid afternoon. While attending a riding clinic, it was quite breezy this afternoon in the valley. Additional showers returned late in the day with rain beginning as darkness arrived. Today is one of the days of August Singularity.

Lingering Clouds and Fog in Mid-Day View Southeast


Riding Clinic in the Valley this Afternoon


Some Blue Sky later in the Afternoon


Wednesday, August 12, 2009: A mostly cloudy day around the ranch today. Showers drifted through a couple of times during the day, first during the morning, and next, with more intensity during the early afternoon. As a result of the showers, the temperature was only able to top out in the high 60's. Just a light ray or two of sunlight late in the day provided a weak rainbow in some parting evening showers over the southeast treeline.

Morning Clouds to the East and Northeast


Weak Evening Rainbow to the Southeast



Tuesday, August 11, 2009: It was a sunny and mild day around the ranch today. The evening was again just right for a little softball playoff watching. Since the season is winding down, it was time to scout the upcoming opponents for the championship game we play next Monday evening.

Sunny Morning at the Ranch


Evening Softball Scouting Action at the Ball-yard



Monday, August 10, 2009: The sun made an appearance with a gathering of clouds today. Most of the day continued this mix of sun and clouds with a pleasant temperature result. It was just a perfect evening for another softball game.

Morning Sun Appears through the Clouds


Warm-up before the Softball Game


Sunday, August 9, 2009: It was a mixed day of sun and clouds today. The sunny periods provided an opportunity for a trail ride and viewing some wildlife around the ranch. Clouds filled the east sky late in the evening.

Trail Ride during the Mid Day Sunshine


Deer along the Riding Trail


Evening Clouds to the East


Saturday, August 8, 2009: The sun fought for an appearance through some clouds this morning. Eventually, the day became partly cloudy and allowed for a nice photo shoot for Wanita R. and a new bride.

Morning Sun through the Clouds


Wanita R. and Bride at Photo Shoot


Friday, August 7, 2009: A mix of clouds and sun around NW Montana today. Late day sunshine provided evening shadows across the pastures.

Sun and Shadows across the Pastures


Thursday, August 6, 2009: After some morning clouds, plenty of sunshine appeared to allow still more of the ranch flowers to bloom!

Ranch Flower: Canadian Thistle (I hope it showed a passport to get here!)


Wednesday, August 5, 2009: A touch of clouds and trees began and ended the day today. In between, the sun provided a nice day for the horses and people at the ranch. A quick evening shower left some clouds that seemed to reach down to the trees in the late evening sky.

Morning Sun with a Touch of Clouds


Evening Clouds Try to Touch the Trees


Tuesday, August 4, 2009: It was a sunny and warm day around the area today. The evening provided continuing softball action as the 'senior men of summer' continue game playoffs as the season winds down. So, today saw the horses gather around their water cooler as the men gathered around the beer cooler after the game!

Horses around the Water Cooler


Men around the Beer Cooler (Pretty soon after this, anyway!)


Monday, August 3, 2009: A warm sunny day at the ranch was started with a great sunrise through some morning clouds. And, although spring is thought to be the time of flowers, some still linger here in NW Montana.

Sunrise through the Morning Clouds


Some of the Last Flowers of Summer (Mullein Flowering)


Sunday, August 2, 2009: A clear pleasant day around the valley. It made for a great day to take a Sunday bike ride into Kalispell on the "Rails-to-Trails" route.

Morning Sun and Shadows from the Box Elder Tree


Riding the Rails-to-Trails Route into Kalispell


Saturday, August 1, 2009: A sunny start to the August month in NW Montana.

Silo and old Farm along the Bike Trail to Kalispell