Tangled Antlers
It is the beginning of the rut at Yellowstone, and the bull elk are coming around to check out the females. The sounds of the bugling bulls wake us up at night, and we have to look around as we walk outside, because the bull elk are dangerous and unpredictable. Yesterday, two beautiful males with huge antlers appeared on the lawn and proceeded to circle each other and the tree between them, before engaging in some clashing of antlers. The fight didn’t last more than fifteen minutes or so, but the tourists gathered, getting ever closer until the rangers appeared to make them back up. I was in the relative safety of the front porch, but ready to run inside if they got closer.
Motherhood
Even elk mothers have to spend time taking care of their babies. Here is one of the mama elk grooming her baby out on the lawn. You might notice the little ears just visible behind the baby; another baby is lying close behind.
Growing Up
Miles is in second grade this year. He loves reading and science and math- just about everything involving learning. He loves school and is so confident and articulate- I couldn’t be more proud! Since we last saw him in May, he has shot up a couple inches and seems heavier too. What happened to the little premie who was late to do everything as a baby? He is excelling now! Here he is practicing piano before his lesson yesterday. 
Penny the puppy isn’t a puppy at first glance- she is also growing up. At six months old, she is almost as big as Callie, the older golden in the house- but her behavior is VERY puppyish. She is sweet, incredibly intelligent (can sit, down, heel etc. etc.); however she is full of spunk and energy and can be very naughty, especially when her daddy is not around. She is definitely keeping me on my toes!
The Visitor
I’m used to being surrounded by elk at my daughter’s house here in Yellowstone, but yesterday we had a special visitor! It was pouring rain, but I managed to take this photo through the latticework on the back porch. Yes, he saw me, but I was very far away and using a zoom lens. I chose to edit this photo in black and white, because a bison just doesn’t look right on a bright green lawn!
Back to School
I’m having fun at Yellowstone! I’ll be visiting here for over a week and spending most of my time babysitting Henry and Miles while my daughter and husband are on vacation in Alaska. Yesterday I spent the morning in preschool with Henry, which was a blast- especially because his mommy is the teacher!
At 4 1/2, Henry is one of the big kids at preschool this year. Here he is, happily stringing some beads before the rest of the kids arrived.
Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain is the stark backdrop to the northwest area of Prescott and one of my favorite views. On Labor Day, my husband and I decided to take a short hike on the trail leading over to the mountain. As we walked along, we saw bikes and horses as well as hikers; it’s a popular area. After walking for a half hour (and continually stopping for me to take photos), we could see the mountain getting closer, but we were not yet near the base. It was time to turn around- we definitely plan to come back on another day.
Granite Mountain:
Gates near the beginning of the trail:
Weedy Triptych
Summer Memories
I’m looking back to the beginning of summer- and looking ahead to this weekend when I return to Wyoming to spend some precious time with my boys!
And I’ll even have a couple days to spend with my girl, who is having a birthday today! She is still the same smart, capable, fun-loving person she always has been- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAITY! I love you! ❤
Truckin’
One of the fun photo ops in Jerome is by the Gold King Mine where there are rows of old cars and trucks parked. I took these shots a couple months ago and had forgotten all about them. So here they are!
Golden Hour, once more. . .
Golden Hour
From last week’s walk with Carol at Willow Lake during the golden hour:
Sunnyflowers
My friend, Carol and I took a walk at Willow Lake the evening before she left- hoping for a dramatic sunset, some birds, and golden light on the rocks. There was a lot of golden light, but no dramatic sunset and few birds. I enjoyed photographing the weeds and flowers backlit by the sun, which was hanging low in the sky; here are a few of my favorites:
I love how only one flower is facing the camera in this shot.
A hazy Granite Mountain can be seen in the background here.
Backyard Birding
When my friend Carol visits, it is pretty much guaranteed that every morning she will be found outside on the patio photographing the hummingbirds with her long lens. Here are a couple shots I took as I sat out back with her.
Red Rocks at Sunset
Here’s another image from our visit to Sedona on Monday:
melinda anderson photography 