Cloud Chamber #3
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Cloud Chamber #2
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Cloud Chamber
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Even though I did statistical work for several nuclear scientists for a number of years, my knowledge of particle physics is stunningly minimal. Still, when I saw these weld marks on a corral panel, for some reason my mind immediately thought “cloud chamber.” I believe that reaction was not due to my work with the physicists; rather it was the result of my mind going back to some bit I read or heard about in science class, probably in junior high school.

It turns out that most cloud chamber photographs have a black background and white streaks instead of the reverse as is shown here. That means, I suppose, that I’ve been having negative thoughts about cloud chambers all these years.

Thanks to Bozeman Magazine for selecting me as their cover artist for October!

Self-Portrait With Bison
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
2021

More recently than our trip to the American Prairie Reserve we spent several days camping in Yellowstone, enjoying fine weather and the best fall colors in years and of course the wildlife. We saw literally hundreds of bison in various areas of the park’s north side. This is the only safe way to get a selfie with some bison. I probably should have stuck my head further out the window if I really was going for a selfie but this actually happened by accident.

The Glutton
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

This prairie dog didn’t seem to be suffering from any malnutrition due to the drought. I don’t know much about prairie dog towns but it sure seemed like their presence in an area was detrimental to about anything growing nearby–we saw large areas around them devoid of vegetation or nearly so. This particular prairie dog and his/her buddies were busy extending their tunnel system into some greener pastures surrounding one of the stripped areas. Since prairie dog towns have been part of the prairie ecosystem forever it seems, I’m sure this apparent devastation is nothing to worry about on an ecosystem scale, but for any individual critter of a another species in the area competing for the same food source I can see it might be of considerable concern.

Visiting the Neighbors
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Two bison heading into one of the ubiquitous prairie dog towns for a visit.

Knee Deep in the Muck
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

I would be concerned if I were stuck up to my knees in mud, but it did not phase these bison who have plenty of muscle power with which to extract themselves. This water hole with it’s small surrounding area of green grass was quite an attraction for the bison for obvious reasons.

A Hard Country to Love #3
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

This headless bison skeleton made me think of  the keel and ribs of an old shipwreck.

A Hard Country to Love #2
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Yesterday, when I said all the bison we saw at the American Prairie Reserve seemed to be doing well, I should have said that all the ones we saw up and walking around were doing well. We actually saw several dead bison while out exploring around. Whether they died due to the drought, harsh winter conditions or something else entirely is unknown to me.