Morning Magic on Ennis Lake

©2015 Ken W. Hall

©2015 Ken W. Hall

©2015 Ken W. Hall

©2015 Ken W. Hall

If you look closely at the next to the last image you will see a sea of white.  That is what looks like a thousand migrating tundra swans.

Ken discovered them this morning on his early morning trip to bear trap canyon via Ennis Lake.  He was greeted by geese, deer and mallard ducks as well as the swans.

It was a memorable morning.  The temperature at the time was in the twenties.  Now it is in the fifties with sunshine and a breeze.

I am loving this spring time weather.  It is supposed to be this way all week.  Wish you were here to share it.

Is It Really February?

© 2015 Ken W. Hall

© 2015 Ken W. Hall

When I returned to Ennis I was surprised to find things so different for this time of year.  I wanted to connect with the Madison River and figured I would have to go to Lions Park since my favorite campground is usually closed due to gorging and ice.

To my surprise the campground was open and access to the river was easy.  There were a few puddles of melted snow on the road in and out but that was about it.  The river was flowing free of ice.

The local news reported that the Bozeman Golf Course opened two months early because the conditions are more like spring than winter.

Ken wanted to take a drive around Ennis Lake yesterday.  Ice fishing appears to be over since the only ice on the lake is slush.  Large portions of the water are completely clear.

We drove into Bear Trap Canyon and on the way out Ken stopped to admire this magnificent eagle.  He put on quite a show for us.

The temperatures have been in the thirties and forties at night and in the forties and fifties during the day.  Yesterday it was fifty-seven degrees, sunny and breezy.

Is it reality February in Ennis?

Ice Fishing on Ennis Montana Lake

© 2014 Ken W. Hall

It was cloudy yesterday with occasional snow pellets falling when we drove to check out Ennis, Montana's lake.  There were two groups of ice fishermen digging through the ice.  One group was constantly interrupted by their dog wanting them to throw a stick.  It was very entertaining to watch.

I was a little surprised to see ice fishermen.  As you can tell the ice is melting and has areas where geese are gathered to fish through the open ice.  Under the bridge the Madison River is flowing and a couple of fishermen had their poles lined up fishing off the bridge.

The high yesterday was thirty-five degrees above zero.  Today it was twenty six when we got up and now it is forty with very strong winds.  Gusts were predicted to get as high sixty-five miles per hour.

A Sunday Drive

©2013 Ken W. Hall

Sunday morning we decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.  We took a leisurely drive through Jeffers and around the lake.   Although a bit breezy it was nothing like the past couple of days.  The electric blue sky and sunshine were a welcome sight.

The birds returning for the season seemed to greet us at every turn.  Among them were osprey, pelicans, red wing black birds and a yellow headed black bird.

Lots of fishermen were out on Ennis Lake and in the Madison River.  It was a perfect day to enjoy the outdoors.

Temperatures this week were cold in the mornings.  Some days in the low teens.  There were lots of clouds this week and a small amount of rain.

The past couple of days everyone was complaining about the wind but this morning it was much quieter.  Highs this week ranged from forty to sixty degrees.

Ice Fishing with Dad

©2013 Ken W. Hall

The above photo was taken by Ken a few days ago at Ennis Lake.  I marvel at those people who ice fish on our lake.

Saturday morning it began to snow just after seven and dumped about three to four inches here in town.  This morning it was fourteen degrees.

The sun came out and it has been a beautiful sunshiny day.  It looks like it is twenty-eight degrees now.  I love seeing the way the light sparkles on the snow.

Posing Animals

©2012 Ken W. Hall

©2012 Ken W. Hall

©2012 Ken W. Hall

The animals seemed to take time to pose for Ken this afternoon as we took a leisurely drive around Ennis Lake.  The Buck and the Hawk stood perfectly still for what seemed like ten minutes or more.  I am sure it was only one or two minutes. It just seemed longer.

The north wind was blowing a light soft snow across the Madison Valley.  Heavy snow clouds covered the surrounding mountains.

The high today was about thirty-two degrees.  The snow continues to fall lightly as the sun gives way to the moon.

Ice, Snow & Rain

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

This week we experienced lots of weather changes.  One day there were a couple of white out condition snow bursts that left only a couple inches of snow.  Yesterday it was in the forties with rain and today it is breezy with sunshine and temperatures in the thirties.

The ice on Ennis Lake is beginning to melt in some areas.  It is fascinating how it stacks up on the shore.  Ken captured some of the natural sculptures produced by mother nature.  There is a stillness at the lake this time of year broken only by the occasional sound of cracking ice and squawking birds.

I love taking time out of my busy day to just be with the magnificence of nature.  It soothes my soul.

Green Glow on Ennis Lake

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Pressure of the under ice flow of the Madison River while flowing across Ennis Lake sculpts the shore line with layers of crystalline ice. This particular day, overcast skies filtered the last remaining rays of soft light into a shimmering glow on the frozen rocks along the shore line. The ice in this spot was between one and two feet thick. Nature painted a inspiring palette for curious eyes and hungry souls.
                                                                                    -- Ken W. Hall

It snowed all day yesterday and into the night.  Ken took his sister to see the ice formations on Ennis Lake and captured this awesome image.  We ended up with only a couple of inches of snow.

It was about nineteen degrees this morning and it is thirty-four now.  The sun came out and melted a lot of the snow. 

Snow and Wind

 Photo by photographer Ken. W. Hall 

  Photo by photographer Ken. W. Hall 

 Photo by photographer Ken. W. Hall 

Yesterday was wonderful.  It was the first day without wind and there was plenty of sunshine.  Today is a different story.  The wind is strong and the skies are filled with clouds.  The high was twenty degrees which feels like just below zero.

The Madison river has gorged.  Ken took the above photo at the campground the day before it flooded.  The first photo is Ennis Lake at sunset.

There is more snow in the forecast for the weekend.  Looks like I will be spending lots of time in my studio and office.

 

Fallen Boulder

Ken just sent me these photos from our trip last week to view the damage from the fallen boulder.  You can see how much lower the lake and river levels are while they work to repair the damage.

Today the weather is awesome.  It is about seventy-one degrees and the sun is shining.  Earlier in the week we had rain, clouds and wind.  Temperatures barely rose above sixty.

A few minutes ago I had the pleasure of watching an osprey catch a fish from the river at Lion's Park.  They will soon be migrating for winter. 

The moisture this past week dumped a fair amount of snow on the mountains.  I heard the elk are coming down.  Summer was so short this year I am not ready for winter but it is sure to arrive.

No Boats On Ennis Lake Today

Ken and I have been busy with the Fly Fishing Festival.  Rainy weather moved in early last week but cleared for the two days of the event.

It was well attended and we met so many wonderful people who stopped by our booth.  For the first time an Ennis resident won the boat the Madison River Foundation raffles off for the event.

Today it was sixty-five degrees when we took a drive to Ennis Lake.  Last Monday a boulder fell damaging the dam below Ennis Lake.  The water level was lowered by four feet making it possible to walk on foot out to Diamond Rock.

You can read more about the dam at http://www.madisoniannews.com.

Dining Osprey

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Saturday afternoon we took a break and headed for Bear Trap Canyon so I could search for driftwood. One of my new galleries liked some I created in the past and requested new ones.

As we were collecting treasures it began to rain so we headed out around the lake toward Jeffers.  We were blessed to encounter several osprey two of which were dining on trout they just caught.

Baby calves posed for photos.  We even sat for quite a while watching a badger watching us until a passing truck sent him underground.

It was a delightful afternoon.  Even with the wind it felt warm with a light jacket.  Later in the day the sun came out.  

Sunday afternoon it was in the low seventies.  I think everyone on our block was outdoors sprucing up their lawns.  The bright sunshine and lack of wind made it a perfect day to be outdoors.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing was popular on Ennis Lake this past Sunday.  Groups gathered in several locations on the ice.  Dogs were running and sliding on the ice.  Everyone enjoyed the warmer temperatures.

This morning it is thirty-eight degrees.  It is calmer so far.  Yesterday the wind was so strong you had to lean into it when walking.

The Madison River Gorged Again

 

The Madison River gorged again during this last cold snap.  I took these photos this morning when we ventured out to investigate the changes the cold made in our area.

As you can tell the river has an ice jam at the bridge in town.  The campground past lions park is once again filled with water and ice.

The fishing access past Jeffers on the way to Ennis Lake is flooded and frozen ice almost up to the entrance.  The outhouse is only half visible.

It was thirty-one degrees when we took our drive.  There was a steady stream of traffic as people went out to enjoy the warm weather.

Where did the week go?

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Christmas Rush Hour...Downtown Ennis, Montana USA

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Free Lunch

 

 

Wow, time flew past this week.  I just realized I had not posted any new pics so here are some we took this past several days.

Tuesday before Christmas Ken caught a quick shot of the hustle and bustle in Ennis.  The next morning he caught this local deer helping himself to the birdseed.  No wonder we are going through a fifty pound bag so fast.

We took one day to circle the lake just as the sun was setting.  That is my snapshot. 

Then on Thursday we headed to Bozeman to pick up Ken's artwork that was on display at the Co-Op all month.  I got this shot of our valley from Norris Hill.

The weather has been warmer than usual for this time of year.  Today it was forty but is expected to drop down below zero again the early part of next week.

Slower Pace

Things move at a little lower pace here in Ennis, especially in the winter.  It was twenty-seven degrees when I left the house this morning and thirty-three when I came home after lunch.  We got about an inch of snow yesterday.

I found myself having to slow down for this local rider on my way home from running an errand.  The sun finally came out.

When we drove around the lake on Sunday I got this shot of ice beginning to form near the bridge.  The wind was blowing snow everywhere.  We saw nine eagles and two of them put on such a show.

Have you ever watched an eagle?  They never struggle or flap their wings hard.  They wait patiently for the wind currents to be just right.  Then they spread their wings and soar.

Spring Weather

Photos by Ken W. Hall

It has been another interesting week. Last Sunday the weather was breezy but in the mid forties.

We wanted to get out and walk so we headed for bear trap canyon. The road was closed so we walked along the lake. The only ice left was around the shore line.

The lake was lower than usual. They must be getting ready for the spring run offs.

Early in the week we were blessed with more snow. It must have been about three inches.

Here are some images Ken captured of the amazing ice sculptures only mother nature could form.

Breaking Ice

Ken and I rushed out to enjoy the sunshine before the wind became too strong to enjoy it. We decided to go to Ennis Lake to see if it was beginning to melt.

Temperatures have been in the teens to twenties in the mornings and between the mid thirties and high forties in the afternoons. It has been an unusually mild February.

When we arrived at the lake we discovered several ice fishermen. Near the bridge the lake is peeking through the ice and slowly creeping toward the area where the men are ice fishing.

As we rounded the lake and headed back toward town we saw amazing ice formations. Ken spent quite some time walking and shooting. Here is a shot of him and one of my favorite discoveries.

I can’t wait to see what kind of images he captured today.

Ice Fishing

I had no idea people fished on top of frozen Ennis Lake in the winter until Ken and I took a drive around the lake last year. Ken was driving around the lake earlier this month when he stopped to talk to a group of ice fishermen.

The men said they come down regularly from Bozeman. A children’s snow sled becomes their pack animal as they set up their campsite on the ice. The ice is from eighteen to twenty inches thick. A pop up tent provides a little shelter.

Wiping his nose one gentleman said, “ It would be really pleasant today if it were not for the breeze.” A ten-degree temperature becomes quite nippy when the wind blows like it was that day.

Photo by Ken W. Hall, title: Ice Fishermen January 2009

Ice on Ennis Lake

Wednesday morning it was twelve degrees. The sun came out in the morning so Ken took his sister for a drive around the lake.

He said the lake was so smooth it looked like icing on a cake. This was very different from years past.

Here is a photo he got of diamond rock.

Photo by Ken W. Hall, title: Diamond Rock December 2008