• Apgar Lookout Early 2015

    Apgar Lookout Early 2015

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    Jake Bramante

    With a drier spring, some of the early trails such as Apgar Lookout are opening up sooner than normal. While we still walked on a bunch of snow, it was amazing to get out on a perfect day! Hiking to Apgar Lookout has almost become a tradition of mine at the beginning of the season.…

  • Emerald Pools

    Emerald Pools

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    Jake Bramante

    Tucked away at the base of towering red walls in Zion Canyon in Zion National Park are three lush pools called the Emerald Pools. The three pools are connected by a stream that can vary from a slight trickle to a torrent depending upon rain. The Lower Emerald Pool is a great, level, family friendly,…

  • Hidden Canyon

    Hidden Canyon

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    Jake Bramante

    Zion National Park is home to many slot canyons with an impressive one called Hidden Canyon inside of the main Zion Canyon. Hidden Canyon is easily accessed and fun to explore for everyone with a little bit of work. Sweeping views, then a slot canyon with towering walls await. The trailhead is easily found at…

  • North Fork Alpenglow

    North Fork Alpenglow

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    Jake Bramante

    Went for a Sunday drive with my wife this past weekend. We left in the afternoon to catch a perfect sunny day and time it with the alpenglow that was sure to come. We ended up at Polebridge to capture the stunning pink light kissing the mountains. Some men say that they move mountains. I…

  • Weeping Rock

    Weeping Rock

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    Jake Bramante

    Tucked away in Zion Canyon in Zion National Park is a little alcove called Weeping Rock. This dripping alcove is home to many plants that cling to its wet surface. The hike is a short 0.2 mile hike up a paved path full of interpretive signs. The trailhead is easily found at the Weeping Rock…

  • Hiking with the Panasonic FZ1000

    Hiking with the Panasonic FZ1000

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    Jake Bramante

    After hiking for miles and miles with my DSLR setup of a Canon 7D, 70-200mm 2.8L, 2X Extender, and Tokina 11-17mm, I needed something else that took great photos and video, wasn’t heavy, and didn’t take up a lot of space. I’ve been very pleased with the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000. With a 1″ sensor,…

  • Zion National Park Announcement

    Zion National Park Announcement

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    Jake Bramante

    That I would start blogging about Zion National Park will come as no surprise to those of you that are subscribed to my mailing list, “Like” me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter or Instagram. (If you aren’t, you should subscribe on the right, “Like”, and follow.) In May of 2014, Kristen and I…

  • Merlin Eating Bohemian Waxwing

    Merlin Eating Bohemian Waxwing

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    Jake Bramante

    Went out again for the Christmas Bird Count in the Bigfork, MT region. This was the 41st count for that area. We counted 36 species in our area with 666 Canada Geese and 508 of everything else for a total of 1,174 birds! The highlight of the day was a Merlin on a power pole eating…

  • Glacier Christmas Bird Count 2014

    Glacier Christmas Bird Count 2014

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    Jake Bramante

    It’s that time of the year for Audubon’s 115th annual Christmas Bird Count. As if I needed any excuse to get out in Glacier National Park on a sunny day…. citizen science is always a great excuse. While the snow was really crunchy making it hard to hear and easy to scare birds away, we still…