GJim's Travels, Adventures, and Photography

Rocky Mountain Goats

2011-03-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

Got some nice photos, yesterday and today, of Rocky Mountain Goats {Oreamnos americanus} in Snake River Canyon, only about 4-5 miles from where I live.

Elk Portraits

2010-12-12T00:39:00.000-08:00

Spent some time, yesterday, at the elk feed-grounds just south of Alpine. The elk are really starting to move onto the grounds now - we have quite a bit of snow.

Historically speaking, this is not normal behavior. Before the arrival of the white-man, the elk would have kept to the wind-swept slopes during the winter - feeding on the grasses that grew during the summer. When farming/ranching began, in Star Valley, the elk found the hay stacks to be much easier feeding. In the 1930's, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department began actively feeding the elk through the winter season.

The feed-grounds are off-limits, to the public, from November 15th through April 30th.

Another Yellowstone Coyote - This one has dinner

2010-11-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

Another coyote from last Saturday in YNP. This one ran across the road right in front of me. I had the big 150-500mm telephoto mounted - first shots the coyote almost over-filled the frame even at 150mm.

Yellowstone National Park

2010-11-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I spent almost the entire day in YNP - left home at 5:00A, didn't get back until 8:00P. Saw geese, two coyotes, elk, beaucoup bison.

Two photos of the first coyote that I saw yesterday - this one was along the Yellowstone River, just north of the South Rim intersection.

Yellowstone Grizzly

2010-11-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

While traveling back from Miles City, through Yellowstone National Park, I spotted two Grizzlies on the north side of Yellowstone Lake. Both were quite busy diggin' up grubs &c. - made it difficult to get a good portrait shot. This is best of the bunch.

Montana Squirrel

2010-11-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

The week of October 25th I traveled to Miles City, MT to visit my sister and retrieve all my 'junque' that I have stored there since 2006. Didn't do a lot of photography while there, but did manage to capture this squirrel portrait from her back yard.

Paper Wasps

2010-10-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Got these images at a friend's place this weekend - two different wasp nests in some out-buildings. Believe these to be [Polistes dominula]

Overview of one of the nests.

Portrait

Detail of compound eyes, simple eyes, mandibles

'Yeah, we bad'

Another Portrait

An intruder in the nest - 'Mama don't want no earwigs 'round here!'

Sunrise at 'The Narrows'

2010-10-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

Photo of 'The Narrows' area of Star Valley, Salt River, Wyoming.

Date/Time: 2010:09:25 08:02:16
Lat: 42°50'59.5813"N
Long: 110°59'2.63292"W

Return to the blog

2010-10-02T05:19:00.000-07:00

After a hiatus of several months, I'm returning to using the blog. This will be my primary means of letting friends/family know of my travels and my photography.

Photo, below, is a close-up image of a Pine Sawyer Beetle, most likely [Ergates Spiculatus]. This beetle, and close relatives, are responsible for the destruction of large portions of our western forests while in the larval stage. This is an adult, munching on pine needles - and seems to have gotten entangled in some sort of fiber. Date/Time: 2010:09:19 15:51:57, Location: Along the Greys River, about 4 miles upstream from Alpine Wyoming; Lat: 43°08'32.8"N Long: 110°55'59.7"W

Bird feeding outside my window

2010-02-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

Got a nice photo of this bird that was feeding on berries right outside my window. I believe this to be a Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea).

The Care and Feeding of Cast-Iron Cookware

2010-02-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

The care and feeding of cast iron cookware. (Also works for plain steel woks, not stainless steel).

I recently purchased some new cast-iron cookware from a well-known manufacturer (LL). Their documentation states that the cast-iron items are already 'pre-seasoned' -- B.S!! -- I should have known better, but I used the new Dutch-Oven (right out of the box) for biscuits ---- they stuck to the bottom and sides unmercifully! See below for instructions on how to PROPERLY season cast-iron items -- even those new 'pre-seasoned' pieces.

Properly conditioned cast iron cookware is an absolute pleasure to work with. The surface can be better than Teflon® in many ways. No matter how gently you treat your Teflon®, the surface will eventually start wearing off and then food will begin to stick to the pan. With cast iron, the surface actually improves as you use it. The secret is in properly conditioning the cookware to begin with and caring for it properly each time it is used.

If you have a brand new piece of cast iron cookware, wash it once with soap and water. This is absolutely the last time that you will ever use soap on this cast iron piece. BE SURE TO WEAR A HEAVY COOKING GLOVE WHILE HANDLING THE HOT CAST IRON PIECES! Heat the piece over a burner on very high heat, let it get VERY HOT. Put in a small amount of peanut oil, enough to coat all the inside surface. Swirl this oil around until the entire inner surface is coated. Allow the piece to cool and then discard the oil. Reheat the piece over high heat again until it begins to smoke. Add oil, swirl, cool, discard oil. Repeat this procedure until you have gone through at least four heating/oiling cycles. Wash the oil out of the piece using only hot water and a brush. Return it to high heat, put in a small amount of peanut oil, and lightly coat the entire inner surface using a brush or paper towel. Turn the burner off, but do not remove the piece from the burner. Allow the piece to cool, leaving the thin coat of oil in place,and then hang the piece on its side until you are ready to use it. Hanging the piece in this manner prevents the piece from rusting.

If you have an old, rusty piece of cast iron that you would like to begin using, place it upside down over a roaring fire in a fireplace until it is EXTREMELY HOT. This will remove most, if not all, of the rust and other accumulated contamination in the piece. Remove from the fire using long-handled pliers, etc. You may need to use some fine steel wool to remove stubborn accumulations. Then proceed with the conditioning instructions shown above. If you don't have a fireplace, you could use the self-cleaning function of your oven to accomplish the task. If you don't have a self-cleaning oven, then use an outdoor gas grill.

To use your cast iron, remove it from the hanger and give a quick wipe with a paper towel or clean rag just enough to remove any accumulated dust. When you are using your cast iron, remember to allow the piece to come up to cooking temperature before you add your cooking oil. Just remember the simple rule: Hot Skillet,Cold Oil. This will prevent a lot of sticking problems. Cast iron should be cleaned IMMEDIATELY as soon as you are finished cooking. I clean mine even before I sit down to eat. Serve or remove all food from the piece, kick the heat up to medium to medium-high on the burner, and clean the piece under HOT running water. Use only the hot water and a brush to clean out the piece, NEVER USE SOAP OR DETERGENTS!!!!! When the piece is clean, put it back on the burner, dry any remaining water, pour in a small amount of peanut oil, and use a brush or paper towel to lightly coat the inner surface. Turn off the heat and allow the piece to cool. Return it to the hanger.

Once in a while, you may want to 'burnish' the cooking surface. Follow the directions in the paragraph above, up to the point of adding the peanut oil. After the piece is totally dry, pour in a small amount of ordinary table salt. Using a paper towel, burnish the surface of the piece using the salt as a fine grit polishing compound. Remove the salt and continue with the peanut oil treatment.

You should ask guests if they have any allergies to peanut products. Although you probably don't cook with peanut oil, in your cast-iron, there will be a small residual amount due to the seasoning process.

With properly seasoned cast-iron cookware, you'll end up bein' thankful for gravity -- if not for gravity, your food would float right out of the pan!

Windy Ridge

2010-01-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Went to Windy Ridge, near Dubois Wyomin', yesterday, for some cell-site maintenance. Some photos from the site.

First two photos are 'down-country', lookin' towards Riverton and Lander, Wyomin'.

Third photo is of the 'DuNoir' area - some really wild and scenic areas back in there. I have done some hunting, in that area, many years ago.

Final photo shows the peaks of the Tetons, just to the left of the satellite dish.

Liver and Onions

2010-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

There are quite a few people who say they don't like liver - for those folks, I can only say you are missing one of the greatest food combinations ever invented - Liver and Onions.
How I prepare this feast:
1/2 pound of liver (beef, deer, or antelope*) per serving.

At least 2 onions per serving, 3 is good, 4 is even better. Yellow onions work best with this recipe.

EVOO
Peel and slice onions, slice 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick.
Nothing beats cast-iron for most cooking, including liver/onions.

Heat up a big cast-iron skillet or Dutch Oven - medium heat to start.

In a bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, and sage (last 3 ingredients to taste).

If liver is in large pieces, cut into smaller manageable sized servings.

Pour in a light coating of EVOO or Canola Oil into the cast-iron. Immediately roll liver in flour mixture then place into the skillet.

Watch liver carefully, don't let it over-cook. Remove when it is slightly less done than your preference.
Add some more oil to the skillet, bring up the heat to high. Put in all the onions, breaking them up into rings, and cover. Stir the onions often, turning over and over. I like my onions really well done, almost to the point of being burnt. Just keep watching/turning.

When the onions are almost done, put the liver back in on top of the onions - cover again, allow the liver to come back up to temperature.
Serve with a dark red wine (Merlot or Cabernet) - enjoy!

* You really have to like liver, and like Antelope (American Pronghorn), in order to enjoy this - I like it, but be prepared for a very strong liver flavor!

Fall Colors 1

2009-09-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Fall colors come early in the high country.

Timber!

2009-09-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

An old communications tower, east of Farson WY, comes crashing to the ground.

My latest ride

2009-09-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Went to one of our cell-sites, today, that I hadn't been to before. Regardless of the time of year, access is always via ATV or snow-cat - we aren't allowed to drive our regular service trucks to this site. So, here are photos of me ('Darth Gun') and my 'pony' for the day. Also a collage of some scenic photos from near the site. These show the upper end of Star Valley, Smoot area.

Recent Outing

2009-08-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

I took a back-country trip yesterday. Here are a couple of my photos from the trip. The small creek is Jensen Creek (Idaho), the other photo is of Palisades Reservoir looking back towards the town of Alpine, WY. I live just outside the left-hand side of the photo.

Just another traveler on the road

2009-07-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

About 25 miles west of Casper, WY, saw this fellow on the highway.

Orange is King!

2009-07-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

I moved one of the hummingbird feeders in order to have a nicer background for photos. I may have started 'Hummer Wars'. Seems like one of the birds, the one we call 'Orange' must have a nest (with his lady) in the nearby bush. He won't let any other hummers near the feeder. The orange blur in the lower right-hand corner of the one photo is Orange chasing away another hummer from the feeder. I have also posted some photos of 'Orange' perched on his throne, guarding his kingdom.

'Come into my parlor', said the spider to the fly.

2009-06-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

An interesting spider having a mid-day snack. Got some nice photos of an orb weaver.

Position Available: Air Traffic Controller

2009-06-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Have added another hummingbird feeder - now two with a total of 9 feeding stations. Still, at times, traffic backs up over 'Sweetwater Station' -- there were at least a dozen at the feeding stations early this morning. There have even been some Western Meadowlarks come to feed, but haven't been able to get photos of them -- far too shy. The hummingbirds are not very shy, at all. I can approach within just a few feet of the feeders.

Hummingbirds

2009-06-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

Have put up a hummingbird feeder. Have had as many as 6 'fighting' for position. There seems to be a 'bully' in the neighborhood who chases all the others away.

A Tree Grows In ... Alpine!

2009-05-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

With apologies to Betty Smith and with a nod to Bugs Bunny ... our newest cell-site in Alpine, WY.

Lots of snow!

2009-05-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Another snow-cat trip into one of our cell sites in the Star Valley area; and an interesting old tree along the way.

Here Kitty, Kitty!

2009-05-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

Some Mountain Lion tracks at one of our cellular sites - U.S. quarter coin shown in one photo for size comparison.

2009-03-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

My New Ride

2009-03-11T03:27:00.000-07:00

Had some service work to perform at our site on Snow King. We can access the site via snow-cat, or we can ride the ski-lift. This was the first time, ever, that I have been on a ski-lift! The view of the town of Jackson coming down from Snow King. In the wider view, a portion of the National Elk Refuge can be seen in the upper-right portion of the photo. Although they may be difficult to discern, there is a group of elk at the extreme right-hand side of the photo, just in front of the small butte.

The Old Man and the Snow

2009-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

Some photos from one of our sites in the Star Valley area -- requires snow-cat for access.

More Sunsets

2009-01-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

More sunsets in the Jackson area -- actually shot these, out the truck window, while driving home one recent evening.

Only in Idaho!

2009-01-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

Dude! Like I saw this REALLY huge baked potato ... like with sour cream ... like totally awesome Dude!

My Gas Grill is kinda cool!!

2008-12-26T14:50:00.000-08:00

Completely cleaned all the snow off the grill, and cleaned out a nice little path, last weekend, so that I could have steaks. This is the new accumulation since then. Those two little blobs, to the right, are propane tanks.

The road is blocked!

2008-11-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

Tourist traffic, of a sort, in Hoback Canyon 11/24/2008.

Just the beginning

2008-11-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

A few elk are already on the feed-grounds at the National Elk Refuge. By mid-winter, there will be thousands.

Buffalo!

2008-11-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Went to the cell-site at Old Faithful (hey, someone has to do these dirty jobs!) ... some other traffic on the road. And a close-up view about 6 feet outside the passenger door window.

Not much oxygen up here

2008-11-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Photos from the site on top of Rendezvous (above Teton Village). Altitude is 10,450.

Early Snow

2008-11-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

We've had quite a bit of snow for so early in the season. Here are a few photos from the site at Limestone (South Pass, Wyomin' area). These photos are from October 22nd.

Babes in the Woods

2008-10-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

At one of our cellular sites today ... these 2 babes ran by ... their mother was ahead of them, couldn't get the camera out quick enough to get all 3 in one picture.

2008-10-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

My view while eating lunch today, at one of our cellular sites.

A view while driving to the site.

Can you find the tower in this tree (or the tree in this tower)? It's called a 'mono-pine'. Can't figure out just who this is supposed to fool!

Wild currants and ice anyone?

First Snow!

2008-10-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Not the greatest photo, but shows the setting sun shining on the first snow of the season. Photo is of the west side of the Tetons, from my deck.

Fall Colors

2008-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

A few photos, from around the area, showing the marvelous fall foliage.

Fishing for Moose

2008-10-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

Got this photo, a few days ago, on the drive home. I call it 'Fishing for Moose'; Mama Moose, Baby Moose, and a fly-fisherman make for an interesting scene. The site is on Fish Creek just east of Wilson Wyomin'. (GJim)