One Daisy - Teller Trail at Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

"...the infinite wealth of Christ’s infinite heart is thine today as though the sun should shine to light one firefly, or the Amazon flow to water the roots of one daisy."   - F.B. Meyer (1847-1929) from The Love Of Christ, Which Passeth Knowledge

 

 

Ponderosa Pine-ing For Good Vanilla - The Teller Trail, Bitterroot River, Corvallis, Montana

 Sister Three did not believe (read: she snorted a laugh) when I declared: "Some ponderosa pines smell like really, really good vanilla." The gauntlet thrown, I immediately spied a turnout near a likely specimen - and converted her by truth evidenced (amidst continued giggling because  other laid-back drivers passed by and we did, indeed, look silly leaning in close to sniff the craggy, russet bark). Hurrah for random weird and happy things worth knowing!

 

Twiggy, Bitterroot River, Corvallis, Montana

Slatey rocks, red twigs, golden grasses, calm water, distant mountains....no wonder I always feel calmer after walking at the Teller Wildlife Refuge.

Waiting for Spring,Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

Meandering along what could be a deer trail brought me to this mostly dry run-off channel near the Bitterroot River.
During spring melt, excess water searches for paths of least resistance and drastically changes the river bottom landscape.

Bitterroot Views, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Woodside, Montana

I figure I have another month where I can tromping around on the rocks by the river without having to worry about disturbing snakes beneath my feet. (Trust me, this is a little unnerving.)

Ponderosa Pine, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

Did you know that ponderosa pines can smell like really good vanilla? Get your nose right up to the cracks in the bark - ignore odd looks from passing hikers - & take a big sniff.  I always think the bigger trees will have a better aroma, but the youngsters often surprise me. Persevere 'til you find a good tree, & you may acquire a new nature habit.

Driftwood In the Calm, Woodside, Montana

As I tromped thru the Woodside Crossing section of the Teller Wildlife Refuge, my welcome companion was the happy memory of taking this hike with my sister last summer. 

Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

Deciding spontaneously to take a walk down by the Bitterroot River near Corvallis, Montana, I then paused to wonder if any version of hunting was still allowed in the river bottom

Making Tracks, Bitterroot River, Teller Wildlife Refuge

I'm not sure if they enjoyed the view, but several other critters stopped at this sandy point before I did.

How many different tracks can you see?