Yesterday I went to Helena and along Canyon Ferry (Missouri River impoundment) the highway runs close to the water, and not 75 feet from a busy highway were two ospreys in their nest surveying their domain. A pesky crow was harrassing them, but they simply ignored it. Their nest is on top of a pole with a wooden platform. The nest has been getting bigger over the past several years, and bits of color from bit of cloth flutter from the twigs along the edges. The ice just left the reservoir two weeks ago, yet the osprey arrived on schedule. Canyon Ferry is filled with fish from multiple species: trout, walleye pike, carp, etc., so the osprey are doing very well. Across from the water rise the Big Belt Mountains a short distance to the east with snow capped peaks reaching over 9,000 feet. This has been a heavy snow year, with the snow still in place as low as 5,000 feet. Picture blue sky, snowy mountains with dark green forests, and a large body of water with no homes along the edge. The osprey has returned to repeat its life cycle here. And we get to watch this drama as we come and go. Life is good! John
