Al Larson Photography

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o’er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake, beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced,
but they Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gaz’d—and gaz’d—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.
  By William Wadsworth

 A recent trip to Valley county this spring proved to be a pleasant one. The mid-April weather provided the warmest day of the year with bright sunshine and calm winds. This was a mid-week trip and few people on the roads. The purpose of the trip was to check some of the nest boxes around Lake Cascade. Sandhill Cranes, Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Tree Swallows and one pair of Mountain Bluebirds were just some of the many species of birds seen.
Most of the winter snow was gone and ice had begun to melt in the lake. This photo is a view looking east across the lake. We can see the sky reflected in the narrow band of water along the near shore. A deciduous grove of trees on the left was alive with birds. Cavity nesters were making ready for spring.

 Some persons rarely ever get a glimpse of this secretive animal. Most folks have never even seen one. This squirrel is a nocturnal animal which means most of its activities are conducted at night. It builds its nests of grass and lichens in trees. It also makes its home in abandoned cavities. I have several nest boxes attached to trees near groves of Ponderosa pines. Occasionally a flying squirrel will appropriate one of these boxes for its natal nest. The squirrel in this photo was using a nearby box for its sleeping quarters during the day. It was startled when the box was opened, leaped out and stopped motionless in the fork of this tree. We notice the fold of fur along its side. When the squirrel leaps out into the air with legs outstretched this fold forms a glider-like surface that allows it to glide a considerable distance. Thus the name “flying squirrel.”

These warm days of Spring bring out the early butterflies.  When the air temperature gets up to 65 or 70 degrees the earth absorbs the heat and flocks of butterflies gather. Here is one of dozens of California Tortoiseshells basking in the sun. They land with wings outspread to absorb the heat. When they have attained the ideal temperature they fold their wing vertically over their backs. Their long proboscis probs the moist earth for minerals and moisture.

It is not uncommon to find several species gathered together in these communal sites.

About a mile or two upstream from the Neil bridge on the South Fork of the Boise river one comes to this scene. The fall is fed by a small stream in the spring and early summer. Right now snow is melting in the higher elevations which help feed the flow of water.

This scene comes abruptly into view as we round a corner on a narrow road with a vertical cliff on the left (north) side. It takes your breath away when you suddenly view the canyon below on the right.

Prairie is located on the distant flat-topped mesa in the center sky-line. Prairie is the location of the “Bluebird Trail” which is home to hundreds of Mountain and Western Bluebirds.

This is a very picturesque area within ninety minutes of Boise. As Spring progresses wild flowers emerge. This coupled with spectacular canyons is a nature photographer’s delight. To get there exit I-84 at Exit 64 (Blacks Creek exit), cross under the interstate highway and follow Blacks Creek road to Prairie. Remember to bring your camera.

On this warm sunny day, April 5, Hilda and I were taking a break. We had just started tending to some Spring yard work. With the temperature hovering near 70 degrees it felt good to just lean back and relax. Flowers along side the house were starting to emerge from their winter nap. In fact a couple of daffodills had buds about to open.

Almost simultaniously we both said, “It’s about time for the bluebirds to appear.” At that moment we glanced up to the top of the power pole near the corner of the house and low and behold there was this pair of bluebirds. They softly carried on a conversation that only they could understand. We could only surmise that they were also enjoying the weather and planning to move into the nestbox that looked so inviting below.

  I’m looking ahead again. Our snow showers have turned to rain which means spring is upon us. Soon the sun will warm the earth and Nature’s gardens will burst forth in all their glory. This post’s photo was taken a couple years ago in Little Sage Hen Basin, in gem county. The full name of this flower is Shootingstar (Dodecatheon pauciflorum).

I like to get down on the same level with my subjects. That way I can show the surrounding habitat. Here we have an open grassy meadow surrounded with a dense forest. We even get a portion of the sky. In this case, although we can hardly see them, there are patches of shootingstars and other wild flowers across the entire meadow.

With all of these storms and cold weather lately my thoughts jump forward to “Spring weather.” While browsing through some of my warm weather photos I came across this one of a Bitterroot taken June 9, 2004. This is one of the beautiful flowers that flourish in remote, dry, rocky areas. It first sends out sparse foliage low to the ground. When the buds appear the foliage wilts away. Buds mature and blooms burst out in brilliant florescence. The bloom seems to have no stem. Each blossom appears directly from the ground.