Spring Rain, Vibrant Foliage - East of Lincoln, Montana

Spring rainfall last night and into this morning punched up the colour vibrancy east of Lincoln, Montana, and made for a gorgeous Montana road trip day. (Now we just need those fruitful clouds to head north and tamp down Alberta’s wildfires and smoky skies, please Lord.)

Opening To Autumn - Cabinet Mountains, Heron, Montana

“Believe. No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” 

-Helen Keller (1880-1968) 

Berries For The Birds? - Missoula, Montana

"White and yellow, kill a fellow.
Purple and blue, good for you.
Red... could be good, could be dead..."
- berry mnemonic from former Green Beret Myke Hawke, discussing outdoor survival tips on Good Morning America 

Red - Missoula, Montana

"...Red, gold and green, the leaves
lie on the ground, or fall,
or hang full of light in the air still..."

- from Grace by Wendell Berry

Autumn Colour - Missoula, Montana

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
— Albert Camus (1913-1960)

Rain-dappled - Missoula, Montana

"Thank you, dear God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough. Thank you for the rain. And for the chance to wake up in three hours and go fishing: I thank you for that now, because I won't feel so thankful then." - Garrison Keillor

Wee Fall Fern, Frosted - Missoula, Montana

Today's title could have grown alliteratively excessive: Found Frosted Fall Fern Forest Foliage... any additions spring to mind?

En route to University Peak, I became a bit fascinated by what plants were growing at varied distances above the valley floor, and a week into November, no less.  These ferns were about 45 minutes into the hike, up numerous switchbacks, and still frosted at 9:50 AM; the principal red frond was about 4 inches long. Conveniently, 20-second photo stops also provided a breath-catching, muscle-resting, dignity reclaiming excuse.

Random wondering while writing this: Was the red fern in Wilson Rawls' book, "Where the Red Fern Grows" an autumn-hued symbol, or plant perpetually russet-hued?

Fall Crossing, Missoula, Montana

Out of Montana’s many strong points, I particularly appreciate that nature’s glory is available right out your car window - just pick a road, any road. Most of the scenery I share via this blog is within 5 or 10 minutes walk of a developed surface. As an example, my vantage point for today’s shot was the I-90 underpass at the Van Buren Street exit into Missoula. 
I’m not adverse to utilizing Montana’s many official hiking trails; my stance is more that I’m always glad when I get there, but it doesn’t happen as often as I should perhaps aspire to. So, should you happen to not be a raging outdoor activities enthusiast, do not be deterred by overt tourist promotion of Montana’s hiking, biking, climbing, camping, kayaking, rafting, and skiing virtues. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) The Big Sky still welcomes dawdlers and casual walkers who appreciate the beauty at hand - with no requirement to endanger life and limb, or even break a sweat. And that’s one great reason I’m still here.