The Long Summer in White

The Mountain Goat is an amazing critter that literally hangs out in some of the most rugged and inaccessible locales in North America’s northern regions. For many years last decade, we would travel to Glacier Nat’l Park to have opportunities to be with them. Now, they literally live in our backyard, that’s if you can go vertical seven thousand feet. These billys were over in the Gallentins doing what Goats do at least once a day, if not twice, and that’s to come down to water. The high perches where they spend most of their day tend to be quite dry once the summer sun comes. There’s very little, if any, free water, so they go to the water. They still had their winter coats last month when I photographed them, making the summer heat even more intense. Making shots so they look their best and not moth-eaten is a challenge.

Photographing them in all their splendor with full, clean, white coats has long been a desire of mine. Finding the local in winter where I can make that happen has been though unsuccessful so far, which is a disappointment. Hopefully, we can make that happen. Until then, I take enjoyment in seeing them when I can during the long summer in white.