Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are so small and fast. In order to get good photo opportunities of them, you have to be in a place they will come to and wait patiently. And wait for it... and wait for the right shot. It could take a while and multiple shots before you "the one".

It turns out that, while camping, there was a hummingbird nest inside our camp. I did not have to go far to get some shots of the mother and her eggs. I believe the type of hummingbird is Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte Anna)

The following are photos taken over two days of patiently waiting and listening for the sound of this tiny bomber and her chirps.

Swallowtail Butterfly

How many times have you seen a butterfly and wanted it to land on your finger? It would be cool, and I have thought of it from time to time. Butterflies are marvelous creatures that are beautiful and delicate. 

During a recent family camping trip I found a Swallowtail butterfly that had been hit by a truck. It was in the middle of the road. I went and picked it up and found that it was unable to fly and that its tail wing had been trashed. I took some photos because I had a subject that was not going to "flutterby"before I got a chance to pull my camera out. 

The butterfly did not seem scared and it would crawl all over you, including your face, if you gave it the chance. I did give it that chance and so did my wife. We both learned that a butterfly crawling on your face tickles.

We did let the grounded "flutterby" go in a bunch of wild flowers. 

Horseshoe Canyon, Idaho - Near the Town of Sam

8 photo Panorama. Mt Manning and Horseshoe Creek area seen from Horseshoe Canyon

Not many people know about the town of Sam, Idaho. It was a coal mining town back in the day up Horseshoe Canyon. The canyon is west of Driggs, Idaho. 

When you drive up the canyon you should be able to tell that the road has a smooth constant incline for the most part. This is because the road used to be the railroad track. The train would go up the canyon to load up on coal. Where the line ended there was once a bridge across part of the canyon, so the train could turn around to go back down the canyon.

Around the town of Sam there were many mines. I know this because my wife's grandfather grew up in the canyon and he showed me where many of the mines used to be. He also told me about the railroad track turned into road and many other little treasures. It was in this area that he raised a porcupine as a pet from when it was a baby. It is also the area where his brother sat on a different porcupine one night in the outhouse. There are many stories I have heard and countless others that happened. It is amazing how some of the places in the area got their names.

Horseshoe Canyon is a lovely beautiful place. You get a great view of the Tetons and enjoy the beauty of the area. I highly suggest seeing the area but just know the road is narrow.

24 photo Panorama. Mt Manning and Horseshoe Creek area seen from Horseshoe Canyon

looking west from Horseshoe Canyon at sunset.

 photo Panorama. Mt Manning and Horseshoe Creek area seen from Horseshoe Canyon at sunset.

The Teton Mountains seen from Horseshoe Canyon at dusk

The Teton Mountains seen from Horseshoe Canyon at dusk.

 photo Panorama. Mt Manning and Horseshoe Creek area seen from Horseshoe Canyon at dusk.

Colorful campfire flames.

Quaky (Quaking) Aspen at night.

Hummingbird carving in dead tree.