Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Driving Into the Mountains

Boise's backdrop is mountains...here's the view on a recent adventure towards a higher elevation.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Calling a Piece of History

A collector's item that was really used at one time in this old house. Look at the cables still feeding into the wall.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Who Wants Some Whitewater?

We have plenty. This stretch of the Payette River is about 45 minutes north of Boise.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Fair Food


A few images from Food Row. "Elephant Ears" are giant fried scones.

This is a deep-fried potato.
A shaved ice machine.



Slushy drinks.

Above, is an ice cream potato. Vanilla ice cream dusted with cocoa powder, then topped with whipped cream and candy chips.


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Critters at the Western Idaho Fair

A few of the critters at the Western Idaho Fair. The fair is open through Sunday.





Friday, August 26, 2011

Carnival Rides at the Western Idaho Fair | Ticket Giveaway

I have 4 admission tickets and 2 carnival wristbands to give to ____. See the Facebook link on the right-hand side of the page. Please go "like" BDP on Facebook, and like the status about the giveaway to enter. Here's a look at a few of the rides in the Butler Amusements Carnival at the Western Idaho Fair.










Thursday, August 25, 2011

Games and Prizes

The carnival is a biggie at the Western Idaho Fair. What game is your favorite? Scroll down to see the beer bottle smash game. I saw a lot of winners at that one.
The fair is open through Sunday.



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Western Idaho Fair

This rabbit's name is Dalmatian. We hit up the fair last night, so I'll be sharing photos over the next few days. The fair continues through Sunday.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Pitiful Harvest

Red and orange tomatoes picked this morning. Usually, I'm slicing and dicing big batches of salsa this time of year. [sigh] Here's to hoping for a bountiful September.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Horses in Sagebrush

I was looking for deer or antelope to photograph in the foothills...and found these beautiful horses instead.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rattlesnake Station, Now Known as Mountain Home

A piece of Idaho history. Rattlesnake Station was renamed Mountain Home...and moved a few miles down the road and into the valley. Knowing this helps explain why there are no mountains in the Mountain Home of today.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Football Practice

I think this is a beginning tackle league. They're geared up for it.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hay!

It's that time of year to stock up on critter food for the winter. How much is hay this year? Prices going up?


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

An unexpected sight among the sagebrush and grasses in the foothills - rows and rows of grapes. This is a fairly new winery. They offer organic wines and have won many medals in the Idaho wine competition.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Horned Lark

At least I think this is a horned lark. Be sure to let me know if it's something else. We saw this bird in the foothills.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Hummingbird Banding 2011

Everyone gets to hold a bird. It takes most birds a few seconds to realize they are free to go after they've been measured, weighed and banded. This is a female black-chinned hummingbird. Mostly, black-chins were caught Saturday....but there was also a calliope. They're tiny - the smallest birds in the U.S. and Canada. I posted all the photos from the adventure on the "extras" page - get there, by clicking here.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Big Rattler

Crossing the road north of Boise...almost squished it. Probably between three and four feet long. I hear they can grow to more than five feet.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Les Bois Park Grandstands

It's been a few years, but there is a short horse racing season at Les Bois Park this year. Next week, the grandstands will be filled with concert-goers at the Western Idaho Fair.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Fair Prep

Took a peek at some of the preparation for the Western Idaho Fair, which opens one week from today.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Hummingbird Banding Saturday in Pearl

This female black-chinned hummingbird stopped by for dinner in the back yard last night. Don't forget that this Saturday is the annual hummingbird banding in Pearl (North of Eagle). We'll meet for the caravan/carpool at the Eagle Albertsons (at State St.) around 7 am. Educational. You get to hold a hummingbird. Free. All ages. Questions? Just ask.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Hungry Teenager

Juvenile robin waiting for a parent to delivery lunch.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Backboard Art

A homemade salute to LeBron James.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Chinden Blvd. Birds

It's been a fun season watching the osprey family along Chinden Blvd. The platform nest is on the north side of the road, just before the hill.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Castle Rock

An historic site while driving to Sun Valley. Pioneers on the old trails named this rock formation. Can you see the castle? (I kinda think I can)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Going Out-of-Business

Popped in last night for some deals. Neil Gaiman, Oliver Sacks, Richard Wiseman, and Pseudonymous Bosch were some of the authors we brought home. Even bookshelves are for sale. $100 for the tall ones.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Road Trip to Sun Valley

We were there to catch a concert this week. Sun Valley is celebrating its 75th season. Everyone was so nice. Everything was so expensive.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

What's with the Shoes?

And some of those are really nice shoes on the fence posts.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Like a Bird...

We saw six sky sailors last night.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Sour Cherries

Saw these while out for a bike ride recently. They bring back memories of being a kiddo and thinking these were cherries for snacking right off the tree. Um, no. But sugar them up and bake them in a pie and they're all right.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Evening Storm Season

We're into the summer evening storm season. Hot, clear days lead to the build-up of storms...and pretty sunsets.