Mountain Wildfire Smoke Plume - Near Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Seasonal wildfire smoke once again filters through myriad mountain canyons near Montana's Bitterroot Valley. 

Sharrott Creek Fire Camp Edge - US Hwy 93, Stevensville, Montana

This quote in no way denigrates the seriousness of the Sharrott Creek and other wildfires, especially as relates to people’s safety. But driving past this smokey reminder of possible loss on our way to visit family re-upped my ongoing pondering on what is truly important.

"…Imitate the trees. Learn to lose in order to recover, and remember that nothing stays the same for long, not even pain…Sit it out. Let it all pass. Let it go." - May Sarton (1912-1995), from Journal Of A Solitude

(Quote find thanks to Austin Kleon in his thoughtful action-inspiring Keep Going: 10 Ways To Stay Creative…)

Smokey Mountain Canyon - Sharrott Creek Fire, Stevensville, Montana

“Break-through sunlight 

filters through wildfire smoke, and suddenly you see the depth of what you didn’t know existed - there is a canyon and a whole other hill where you thought it was just one big tree-covered mountain. And so it often is under the shining light of truth paired with love - you see what you could not see before, your perception widens.” -Cyndy Hull

Smoke and Clouds - Skies Over Missoula, Montana

Smoke hazing the mountains fades up to a cloud-spattered sky. Oddly, this surrounding fug brings me to feel broadly disconcerted and yet appreciative of the ethereal effect on our local scenes  ...(& oh please oh please let those be rain clouds!)

Lingering Smoke - East Missoula, Montana

Hazing smoke amongst the in-town trees and buildings for the past couple weeks was cleared by yesterday's rainfall, but it still lingers in the surrounding mountains. 
We're extremely thankful to not have flames visible in Missoula's backyard wilderness this summer, and pray for calm rains to fall in Glacier National Park, British Columbia, California, and multiple other areas of the country that are still burning.

Bitterroot Valley Haze - Hamilton, Montana

Trees on the opposite bank of the Bitterroot River are gauzy with wildfire smoke drifting down from nearby fires. 

A bit of a breeze allows for better air quality along the water, so it was nice to get outside for a bit of a ramble.

Out To Pasture Afternoon - Near Philipsburg, Montana

"...September's door is wide open  

September's floor is petal-strewn

September's window is unframed

September is time's afternoon..."

- Janet Martin, from September's Living-room

Not quite "petal-strewn" in this view (however, being a horse corral, definitely strewn with something ELSE...), but the other lines worked so well for this picture that I insist you indulge me.

Get in full September swing with a read of the full poem here at Janet's blog site, Another Porch...A Poetry Blog.

Analogous Colour Scheme - Missoula, Montana

While it makes for Marlboro-like breathing, the smoky haze we're living in seems to act as a very flattering filter, creating added vibrancy in the analogous colours of this little beetle and daisy.

(And as the day's humour bonus, enjoy your imagination's view of my wee spate of shrieking and flailing provoked by said beetle flying up unexpectedly while I was snapping away. Possibly, I was crowding its space.)