#656 In the field . . . birthday #72

Last week was my birthday and we returned to the rustic
cabin in remote northern Colorado where we celebrated 

July 24 last year.  We lived in Colorado for many years
and know the area very well . . . we know all of the backroads,

 the best places to fish for Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout,
the trails to the little streams where the Brook Trout
hang out,and where to see wildlife.
The old camp where we stay is close to
timberline and is heavily populated with moose . . .
we never fail to see them.





Below, are images of moose taken last week in the high country.

Below, I spotted a recumbent young bull in the shade from a distance . . .
we left him at peace but got him with a telephoto.

Below, Trish is fishing at a favorite high country lake where we saw nesting Ospreys.

Shown below, is another favorite lake . . . I photographed a Mule Deer doe while enjoying a cold beer and the scenery.

The temperature dips down at night and the old housekeeping cabin is heated with an ancient wood burning cookstove.
The wood and kindling is provided for us, chopped, split, and always plentiful . . . I'm used to wood heat and love it!
Below, is a photo of the dogs warming up on a chilly morning in front of the cookstove while the boiled coffee perks.

The proprietors of the camp are fellow bird lovers and have hummingbird feeders everywhere.  

Below, are photos of Trish, a feeder outside our cabin, and along with the resident Chipmunk,
we could count on a live model and plenty of entertainment during the cocktail hour!

Below, is an early etching of hummingbirds.

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#553 In the field: Wilderness aesthetics, con't . . .

Please start this series of blogposts with #549, Wed. July 23

 Last month, we spent the week of my birthday in the Colorado high country.  We explored lower
elevations in the vicinity of our cabin as well and encountered different flora and fauna . . .
the change of terrain was dramatic.  We followed familiar roads that, for the most part, followed
the creeks and tributaries that cut through the wilderness meadows to the beautiful, rolling foothills.

Below, is a landscape panorama showing the mountains in the distance and the
open country that we experienced in the foothills.

Fishing sunlit waters for Brook Trout, we looked for cut banks, overhangs, and shadows since brookies are
very secretive and one must sneak up on them.  The wild trout are only 4 to 10 inches and the creeks are
typically narrow with an occasional beaver pond that always promises action.  The best fishing is off the
beaten path and hiking is necessary.  Public land abounds and a BLM map will show you the way.

Below, is a stringer of brookies for the frying pan . . . although small, they are delicious and have very dark red meat.

Below, we saw lots of Pronghorn and Mule Deer as we made our way down from the high country to  lower elevations.

Below, are drawings and etchings of Mule Deer and Pronghorn.

Below, is a bronze sculpture entitled Muley hunter's Hook

Below, is an original etching entitled, "Lunch".

Below, is my recipe for trout pate'.

4 freshly caught gilled and gutted small trout
Fry trout in butter, canola oil, olive oil, or bacon fat, 4 to 5 min. per side
then take off skin and debone.
Mix flaked trout with 1 8oz. package of cream cheese and season with
lemon, hot sauce. lemon pepper if desired.
Mix in mayo for a nice consistency.
Mix in only ONE of the following ingredients . . . more that one confuses the taste buds.
Capers, onion, horseradish, green olives, black olives, tapenade, dill pickle relish,
sweet pickle relish, chopped pepperoncini, porcini, garlic, etc.

Note: The following herbs go well with trout . . . dill, chives, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro.

Put mixture in a covered crock, refridgerate . . . spread on crusty bread and enjoy with red wine.

To learn more about the subjects go to the links below.

For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and

type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#551 In the field: Wilderness aesthetics

This morning, Trish and I returned to our cabin in northern Colorado after an
"in the field" adventure in Colorado's high country.  We spent the week of my birthday - see the preceding blogpost - in a remote rustic cabin,  fishing, hiking, exploring, photographing, and sketching wildlife in the Rocky Mountains.

Every wildlife artist needs to recharge the "creative batteries" and being in uninhabited areas where the wild things are is the place to do it.  While most
of the week was spent in the rugged mountains just below the timberline, we explored the beautiful rolling foothills as well and experienced different flora and fauna at each elevation.  Over the years, I had spent so much time in the area that the backcountry roads were familiar to me and I had learned where animals - not people - were likely to be.  This trip did not disappoint and produced a wealth of reference for future sculpture projects. 

Just being there was exhilarating!  The physical beauty is hard to imagine:

Fragrant pine forests; aspen-lined, flowery meadows; rushing trout streams; crisp, cold nights by a wood stove; sizzling trout and
boiled coffee for breakfast . . . the day's adventure ahead!                                                                     

Below, while Trish chooses a fly to catch a Rainbow Trout, in the distance, a cow moose exits the water to join her calf.
The trout in high-mountain lakes don't get very big and they are what we call, "breakfast trout" . . .
four of them fit perfectly in a skillet and are delicious!

In the photo below, note the dark shape of the cow feeding on the shallow lake bottom in the distance.

Below, this beat-up Renegade fly saw lots of action . . . we ate what we caught and had fish every meal.

Below. fishcakes, champagne, and the wilderness shared with my best friend . . .
great memories of my 71st!
 Wilderness Aesthetics . . . to be con't.

The ultimate trout fishcake recipe:

4 freshly caught gilled and gutted 8 - 10 inch trout
fry trout in oil approx. 3 - 4 minutes per side, then take off skin and debone
Mix flaked trout with mashed potatoes,  a little mayo, Dijon mustard, lemon pepper
Capers or horseradish if desired but not chopped onion . . . cakes break apart
Form into cakes, dip into egg, then crumbs.
 Sauté' in canola oil or butter 'til golden brown



Below, are images of trout species found in Colorado.  The watercolor-tinted etchings hang in the Colorado cabin.

To learn more about the subjects go to the links below.

For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and

type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish