Beyond Glacier National Park, Telephoto Landscapes and Abstract Patterns

Beyond Glacier National Park - 
The Mission Mountains, on the right day, are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful in all of Montana.  I'm always astounded at the grandure and wildness of these Peaks particularly when viewed from the relatively developed Flathead Valley floor.  Located on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana, the chain if mountains runs along the eastern edge of the Flathead Valley, between the Flathead and the Swan.

Here the colors of the trees contrast nicely with the brightness of the fresh snow on the peaks, and the blue of the forest below them.  I can say that when this area is lit up, it's hard to beat.

The Tribes of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, together designated the mountainous area shown in the photo, as a Class I Area under the Federal Clean Air Act.  This classification gives it the most protective air quality standards possible under current federal regulations.  I believe it is one of only two in the US.  Other Class I areas are Federal, meaning they are federal lands and were designated as such under the federal Clean Air Act. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai requested that the Environmental Protection Agency designate this wild region as Class I in order to protect it's cultural values.  I applaud the Tribe and the EPA for taking this action. The Tribe showed great leadership in preserving this landscape and in doing so has lead other tribes to consider the designation.

This area is south of Glacier National Park about an hours drive.  Just head to Polson, MT at the south end of Flathead Lake and look east to see these majestic  peaks.

These images where shot with a 200 and 400 mm lens in order to isolate the subject.  I very often use the 200 to 400 mm range for landcapes, in fact I use it as much or more than any other range.  The tree image also was shot at 200mm and in it I'm showing interesting patterns or at least an abstract pattern of snow on the limbs of the larch and fir trees.  I like to photograph trees and forests.  All shots were hand held ISO 200 @ f8-11.  

Take Care,

Tony