Author Archives: Michael

White-tailed buck

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While in Montana over the fall and winter of 2013, I had the privilege of filming the white-tailed deer rut. The deer are not as cautious as usual, as they are focused on mating. I spent days with these gracious creatures, rising with the sun and leaving as it disappeared. After a while, I picked up on the deer’s rhythms, and maybe they picked up on mine.

This big buck decided to stop and pose for me in the teasel. Already I’m counting the days until I can return to the Northern Rockies. A person can still be homeless, even with a roof over their head.

Hoss-Buck

Illinois: cougar killin’ country

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Illinois has done it again. They made sure to kill another rare cougar as quickly as possible.

I’m embarrassed by the Illinois DNR, certain residents, and other government institutions when it comes to self-awareness. Embarrassed at the lack of tolerance for other living things. It seems that any wild animal, be it cougar or wolf, is gunned down or gleefully peppered with arrows as soon as it crosses the border. Cougars aren’t even protected in the state despite being extirpated many years ago.

It’s true, Illinois isn’t exactly wild country. I’d say it’s the least wild state. I’d also classify it as the least scenic state. Illinois wasn’t born this way. We did it.

On November 20th (I was out of town or I would have been all over this story), an Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation officer responded to a call from a farmer in Whiteside County. Continue reading →

2014. Planet Earth. Cold. Snow. Midwest.

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It’s getting interesting. 2013 was an amazing year professionally, and I’m thrilled to have several short stories appearing in the coming weeks. My snarky science fiction tale, “9 Steps from Door 9” will be appearing in Spark IV along with a bevy of fantastic writers. My epic science fiction/mystery/wolf tale “Lost Planes, Lost River” is set for the January edition of Perihelion Science Fiction. And if you haven’t yet, check out my latest piece, “Hydra” over at AE: Science Fiction. There are also several other projects looming large, so large that they are taking almost all my time. More details to come….

I planned to write a detailed year in review, but those things always come off as so self-involved. If you’re on this site, simply check the “Story” section for 2013. Maybe skim down and see some of the nature entries.

So how do I feel about another year added to the stack? Honestly, I don’t feel any different. I’m not even sure I’m supposed to. I do know it’s cold and snowy, so that means winter. And my heart is still beating, which is nice. I know I need water and food, and I know I’m on this floating ball of rock just like all of you, wondering about the why’s and the how’s.

I wish you all a healthy and happy new year.

All my best,

-Michael

Bighorns of the Cabinet Mountains

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In November and December I had the privilege of shooting bighorn rams in far northwestern Montana. I had never been to the area before, and was thrilled to discover the furthest inland temperate rainforest in the world and the existence of a small band of grizzly bears. On top of that were the bighorn. They emerged slowly from tree line one morning, breath frosty and eyes wild.

bighorn-dance

Although not the tallest range in Montana (Snowshoe Peak is the highest at 8,738 feet), the Cabinet Mountains tower 6,000 feet over the river valleys, which is what counts when considering potential “oh wow” factor.

In my time spent in the Cabinets in sub zero temperatures, I came to realize these rutting bighorn were the true ambassadors to country I had never seen before. All through the morning I heard the crack of their horns as they smashed heads. Sitting here in the sprawl of Chicagoland, I can still hear them if I listen close enough.