We moved two hours north of where we were to Drummond, Montana. We arrived here yesterday and will be here through the weekend. I've never been here before, so it's nice to take my walks in a brand new place.
Photo Description:
1) This is downtown Drummond, Montana, USA.
2) I was woken up frequently last night as train after train passed through town wailing on their horns. Thankfully, I have the luxury of sleeping in each morning, so it was no big deal.
3) The Clark Fork River runs through town, and past the campground where we're camping.
4) Everyone here appears to have several horses (Equus ferus caballus). The windflowers in the foreground are tall hedge mustard (Sisymbrium loeselii).
5) This wildflower is called hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana). It's native to Eurasia and is an invasive species here in Montana. It's also poisonous to horses.
6) The animals here are so friendly. Today Kevin joined me on a walk, and a horse (Equus ferus caballus) came right up to us and stuck his head over the fence. The owner was nearby and said it was okay for us to pet him, so we did, which put a big smile on Kevin's face.
7) While I was out doing my walk, I happened upon this cute little calf (Bos taurus) sitting outside a latched gate. When the calf saw me it jumped up and ran to me as if it knew me, and it mooed at me. Of course I pet it for a few minutes, and took some pictures, and then started to continue my walk, but the calf started to follow me and mooed again, as if it were asking for help. I couldn't let the calf follow me, because at either end of the road are major highways, and the calf would surely wander into traffic. I could see that behind the gate where the calf had been sitting there were a bunch of cows and other calves. I looked around, but there was no one there that could help. Against my better judgment, I unlatched the gate, and let the calf in with the other cattle. I hope the calf belonged in there, or I may have just increased the property owner's herd by one. Regardless, I was able to continue my walk knowing the calf wasn't going to wander into traffic.
8) This wildflower is also an invasive species known as spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe). It's native to eastern Europe, and likely spread to North America in a shipment of alfalfa.
9) Drummond is surrounded by lovely mountains.
10) We have a great campsite in the city park.
