Susan Wolfe Photography & Art
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My (furry) partner in crime!

Out Like a Lamb

3/31/2019

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So, here in south central Montana, winter was an extremely long one...or at least it seemed like it. Mild weather through January made the especially cold and snowy February and March seem like it would never ever end. March was still doing its 'in like a lion" thing as recently as last week. I was keeping my fingers crossed that the lion would miraculously change into a lamb prior to months end.

It worked! Today, March 31, is clear, sunny, slightly breezy and almost 60 degrees. For us Montanans, 60 is quite balmy.
As in, people are wearing shorts and flip-flops. No coats.  Walking their dog. Mowing their lawns and all the other things that come
with spring-like weather.

My furry partner in crime, Maggie, and I have lazed away these last couple of months reading, napping, doing a little painting and
waiting very impatiently for the nice weather to arrive. We cherish our time outside, walking around the yard, checking the flower
beds and garden for tiny green shoots of life and chasing anything that happens to get caught in the breeze -- leaves, bugs, or whatever - for the love of the chase.

My mood has improved, my anticipation of some road trips to take photos and clearing out and organizing my painting space have all happened courtesy of the sunshine and warmer weather.

I'm ready to make some updates to the website. And, I'm ready to get on with enjoying our beautiful spring weather. Stay tuned.
I'll be sharing what's happening with you right here on the blog.
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Another Year, another try

1/3/2019

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It's 2019....2019!!! That means I've been living in my beautiful adopted state (Montana) for 8 1/2 years. I've learned to like, well okay, more like accept the winters we have. I've learned to love waking up to gorgeous sunrises - I always have the camera handy. I love sitting on my deck as the sun sets in the evening (weather permitting of course!) sipping coffee or an 'adult beverage' with my hubby. I love watching my dog snuffling around the garden or the trees smelling last nights visitors - usually deer, racoon, skunks or something similar and my cat tearing around the yard chasing butterflies and flying bugs. I love watching the night sky. It is so dark here and there are so many stars.... I grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and yes, I liked looking at stars and clouds and storms....but the sky there was not dark. But back then I didn't know that. I only discovered how a truly dark sky allows you to see every star, every planet, the moon, the constellations the first time I visited Montana. My in-laws worked in a remote area beyond Yellowstone Park all summer. It was there that I first saw the glorious skies of Montana. If you haven't spent a summer evening looking up at the night sky, I recommend it. If you're lucky enough to be in a truly dark sky, you might even see the Milky Way. It IS amazing!

My wish for you this 2019 is to take time to appreciate the beauty in your life. A colorful sunrise. An energetic pet exploring his world. Sharing a few quiet minutes with a loved one. These small wonders will bring you a few minutes of peace, quiet and calm.



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Spring's finally arrived in Montana

5/10/2018

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After a long, long, long winter, spring has finally arrived in south central Montana. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and all is right with the world. Billings received a record of more than 110 inches of snow this past winter. Most of my friends and I are relishing the sunshine and new plants and flowers after being hole-up inside for months and months. Okay, so I'm not the biggest winter or snow fan, but I can usually deal with what we're dealt. This year just seemed so much more challenging. Was it because we didn't see much sun? Or, was it because I really dislike slogging through deep snow? Can't put my finger on the reason, but I'll just say I'm glad that's all behind me.

My reward (at least that's what I'm telling myself) for enduring the long, harsh winter, is that my Magnolia bush is blooming like crazy. It's a little odd looking - it has no leaves; not 1 single leaf - but it must have 2 dozen beautiful pinkish-purple blooms. Now, just having a thriving magnolia bush is quite an accomplishment for this part of the country. But to have one in blooming splendor is almost a miracle. I suppose that even though the weather was extremely snowy, we didn't have day after day of sub-zero temperatures like in recent winters past. Luckily, I planted it in a very sheltered spot, so it doesn't have to withstand the howling North winds that come along with Montana winters. Its' beautiful blossoms are fragrant as a bottle of high-dollar perfume. My other flower bed plants are also well on their way to becoming the beautiful show of color I've come to expect. So maybe, just maybe, all of the snow that laid on top the ground for months had a purpose after all. A purpose other than to make me nearly crazy with cabin fever, that is.

Maybe I'll have to re-think my dislike of winter and loathing of dozens of inches of snow. If that's what caused my Magnolia to be stunning and my flower bed plants to hop out of the ground almost overnight, then I guess I have to give winter its due.

Thankfully Montana is a state that enjoys all 4 seasons, even if, as we say, spring may be only a few days long. The rivers are running high already from record snow melt. Baby calves are frolicking in fields all over the area. Farmers are busy tilling and planting. The rest of us are enjoying our outdoor spaces. Soon some will lament the 'hot' weather (which is hardly hot compared to the southwest). While I enjoy the warmer weather, I'll try to remember not to whine that it's 'too hot' for I know it will be only a matter of a few very short months before we'll be overcome by the inevitable Montana winter again.

For now, I'm going to enjoy my Maggie (Magnolia) blooming with a cup of coffee on my front porch. Blessings to you all.
And, don't forget to stop and take in all the wonders of spring around you.
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January 18th, 2018

1/18/2018

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January 26th, 2016

1/26/2016

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It's a new year. Something I've learned is that it isn't easy having a blog. Well, it's not easy having a blog that people want to read. It's not easy keeping it current. Full of things that someone would actually like to read. But it's time. High time that I make that happen.

I never leave my house without a camera. Not to walk my dog. Not to go to the Post Office. Not even to go to my part-time job. Heck, I get up in the morning checking to see what the sunrise will look like through my kitchen window. Montana sunrises rarely disappoint. They're more likely to be gorgeous than not. Same with sunsets. If there are even a few clouds in the sky, it's probably going to be beautiful. Then there are the mountains. Oh, those mountains. The Beartooths and Absarokas are in my backyard. Whether they're snow covered or sunlit - they are always awesome to see. They take my breath away.

I've lived in Montana for 5 1/2 years now....I NEVER tire of seeing the mountains or the sunrises or the abundance of wildlife that call this part of the world home. Just this morning, I saw a bald eagle sitting in a tree on my way to Red Lodge. Then there were dozens of white tail deer feeding in a partially snow-covered pasture. I even enjoy seeing the hundreds of cattle that graze along the highway, their heads buried in fresh hay in a feeder or cleaning up hay scattered on the ground for them. I can't wait for the new calves that will be born in the next month or two... their cute little faces and their exhuberant frolicking. I can't help myself. Seeing them makes me smile. And, it makes my heart happy.  

So, I'll share a couple of images of the things that make me happy. I hope you'll enjoy sharing these moments with me.



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Another Big Step...

5/4/2015

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PictureTwo of the photos I hung in Bagels, Inc. today.

Today was another first for me. I hung 10 of my favorite photographs in Bagels Inc., in Billings, Montana. It's a quaint little coffee shop and bagel-ry at 2135 Grand. Lots of customers. All morning long. Lots of people who will see my work. Yea!

You see, I am tremendously blessed. I have friends who believe in me and the art that I make. One friend in particular, an up-and-coming artist herself, suggested I talk with Bagels Inc's owner about doing this exhibit. Without her little push, it would never have happened. So, now, I sit back and hope that Bagels Inc.'s customers will like my work. OK. I'll be honest. I hope Bagels Inc.'s customers like my work so much that they buy it! And take it home. And love it.  It's been anything but a typical Monday. In fact, it's been a terrific Monday.
I hope your Monday was special too.

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It's About Time

5/1/2015

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PictureJourney West (aka Susan Wolfe) and cowboy shootin' friend, AE Irons, giving Iron's buggy a sit.
OK. I know. It's about time I updated this site with some new photos.
I've done it. Spent hours moving, removing and adding new images for you
to see.

Now, I have to make a commitment to you and to myself to keep things
new and fresh here.

I hope you'll follow along with my crazy life. I enjoy shooting photos at the cowboy action shooting meets that are usually monthly from April-September.
Unless, that is, it's pouring down rain. Or freezing cold. Or windy. Or, well, you
get the picture.

I also enjoy shooting photos at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary in Red Lodge, Montana. Their residents (wild animals common to this area) are for some reason or another not able to live in the wild. They are well taken care of as evidenced by their unusually long life spans. The twin mountain lions, Clark and Lewis, lived until 13 years of age under the good care of Don, their caretaker. You'll see images of the beautiful animals appear here occasionally, but I encourage you to go see them for yourself, if you're in the area.

So..that's all for now. If you're reading this, know I appreciate the time you took to browse through my site. If I can help you
with images of your family, friends, yourself, your pet or of your favorite activity, give me a shout.

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Saturday with the Montana Territory Peacemakers

9/25/2012

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For the past few months, I've had the priviledge of joining the Montana Territory Peacemakers for a day of cowboy shooting.
What a terrific group of guys and gals! Dressed in 1880's garb and gear and packin' pistols, shotguns and rifles from the same era, they shoot stages, or a grouping of targets, which are timed and hits and misses are counted. Although the emphasis is
on being safe (because they are using live ammo) and having fun, participants also want to have good times and 'clean' shoots-meaning that they hit every target.

If this sounds like something you'd like to check out, go to the Montana Terriroty Peacemakers website for the date of their next shoot.
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Just met these two cowboy shooters this past weekend. They were gracious models for my photography and pretty great shooters too. A E Irons left and Gooch Hill Drifter right.
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Saturday's event at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary

6/18/2012

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What a great spring day it was at Saturday's Founder's day celebration at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. Dozens of families came out to celebrate with us - viewing all the animals, having something to eat and just generally enjoying a warm, sunny afternoon in Red Lodge, Montana. Sanctuary founder Ruth Brown joined us for the day along with Red Lodge's mayor, Brian Roat who proclaimed June 16th to be Ruth Brown day in honor of her dedication and tireless work to make Beartooth Nature Center a reality. Music was provided by Trevor Kreiger & Jeff Troxel. At the end of the evening, a mountain lion sculpture crafted by Dave McMasters of Joliet, was dedicated.

If you haven't been to the sanctuary (formerly the Beartooth Nature Center) lately, I urge you to go and spend some time there. New director Michelle Marion, along with her legion of helpers do a terrific job of caring for these wild animals that for whatever reason cannot be returned to live in the wild.

The residents range from racoons, ravens, crows, Sandhill cranes, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, elk, buffalo, owls, raptors, and bears. This list is just a few of the beautiful animals native to this part of the country. The photo left is of one of the Sanctuary's donkeys, who enjoyed the visitor's attention Saturday.

I was priviledged to be a part of this very special day.



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    I'm a photographer, a visual artist, a dreamer. While other people see the big picture, I'm likely to focus on the details..

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