I had a great time this week hanging out with my friend Brynne. She flew out to Missoula from Denver, and we were able to enjoy a couple fine establishments and federal public land. Winter is here, though. Before Halloween even.
For a long time, a legendary white-tailed buck named “Duke” roamed the western Montana mountains. Myself, and a couple photographer friends were awed by Duke…especially during late fall when he was more easily filmed.
Duke was known for his especially vertical and massive antlers…like a crown. It gave him a stately look,
thus the name “Duke”.
For years, we filmed him in late fall with great joy. You could count on him to show up like clockwork.
Then one fall, old Duke didn’t show. And the next year, and the next. Even though I’d visit exactly where I knew he lived.
This went on for years. Every late fall, I’d travel to where he used to be and wish I could film him again.
Yesterday, I was in the western mountains, camera in hand (as always). My goal was to film owls in the cold pre-storm light. By chance, I happened to be in the exact spot where Duke used to roam.
As I walked, I heard a rustling in the branches. I turned, and one of the most majestic bucks I’d ever seen appeared from the brush. His antlers were unmistakably similar to Dukes’.
I realized, then and there, that old Duke had passed on his genes to this amazing new buck.
I won’t look back on Dukes’ old haunting grounds with sadness anymore. He lives on in the western mountains.
– Michael
I’m extremely proud of this photo of my cat Wrigley and I. We were up at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, fall of 2019. Wrigley later died on December, 27th from an intestinal tumor. He was fine one day, then a week later, gone.
Wrigley was there at my feet for all my writing, all my novels, all my crazy schemes and ideas. He was everything to me.
Well old friend, it’s been eight months since you died on my lap.
Honestly, I haven’t been able to sit still since. I’ve been all over the country, unable to stay within four walls for long, or a single place. The longest stay was in Chicago and Denver, a month at most.
I’ve dove into my career, dated, hiked, explored, visited numerous great national parks and even caught a beer buzz with a rock star.
But nothing has worked. Nothing has dulled the pain of losing the critter I rescued thirteen years ago, back when he was a sick kitten at the Chicago pound.
The other day I came out of my gym. A silver Subaru Crosstrek was parked next to my car, and it even had a Thule rooftop carrier. I paused for a moment as the sense of loss hit me yet again.
You were an original, old friend.
I’ll keep moving, keeping going until it feels right to settle down. But I don’t see it happening anytime soon.
As promised, this page now gets a daily update.
I’m currently in Missoula, and it looks like winter has arrived.
I’m writing a new novel with an original concept, and also putting together a new short story collection at my favorite coffee shop.
I filmed this elk last week, and it was 79 degrees. This Saturday it’s going to be 8 degrees. That’s just Montana for you.
Hope you all have a great Sunday.
best,
– Michael
Hey everyone,
I had an amazing day in the western mountains of Montana yesterday. So I thought I’d share a photo of a magnificent bald eagle I took.
I also wanted to let you know I’m going to be posting a lot more on this website. From this point on, this will be my writing AND photography website, and I plan to post original content regularly, including writing news, photographs, my opinions on certain matters and so forth.
Thanks for sticking by me over the years, it’s been a wild ride!
Best,
– Michael
