Uncommon Westerners

John Mionczynski: naturalist, accordionist, and Bigfoot expert

In rural Wyoming, naturalist John Mionczynski plays piano, restores motorcycles, studies wildlife and tracks down evidence for the mysterious creature known as Sasquatch.

by Emilene Ostlind, Feb 08, 2012
Richard West Sellars' accidental but distinguished National Park Service career

Historian Richard West Sellars didn't intend to spend a career in the Park Service. But after 35 years, his impact still resonates.

by Kimberly Hirai, Jan 27, 2012
Raymond Ansotegui and the art of artificially inseminating cattle

The "overeducated cowboy" Raymond Ansotegui roams the West in the "Shaggin' Wagon," artificially inseminating cattle with the help of friends and family.

by Seonaid B. Campbell, Jan 06, 2012
Hersh Saunders' transformation from prosthodontist to kosher slaughterer

Frustrated by the difficulty of finding kosher meat from humanely raised animals, Rabbi Hersh Saunders began raising livestock and learned to butcher in the ritual way as a shochet.

by Shanna Lewis, Dec 07, 2011
Daniel Marlos shares his knowledge and love of the insect world

In Los Angeles, self-trained entomologist Daniel Marlos helps others learn about the crawly things he loves through his website: What's That Bug?

by Marian Lyman Kirst, Nov 18, 2011
Lawyer Laird Lucas on how and why he fights for the West

The environmental lawyer battles big industries and government agencies in the courtroom on behalf of the nonprofit Advocates for the West.

by Steve Bunk, Nov 01, 2011
A part of something old: writer Kim Stafford's storied places

Oregon writer Kim Stafford looks for "scattered Edens" in contemporary Western life.

by Tara Rae Miner, Oct 04, 2011
Cody Cortez: A faux-file of the West's most mysterious writer

Buddhist cowboy poet Cody Cortez is so elusive it's almost as if he doesn't really exist.

by John Calderazzo, Oct 02, 2011
Don't tell her she can't: a profile of author Mary Clearman Blew

Mary Clearman Blew struck out on her own, leaving rural Montana and a life as a housewife to become a professor and writer.

by Andrea Clark Mason, Sep 22, 2011
The turn of the wheel: the many lives of writer H. Lee Barnes

Nevada writer H. Lee Barnes brings his experiences as a soldier, cop and casino dealer to his gritty short stories and nonfiction.

by Caleb Cage, Sep 18, 2011
A former energy company lawyer now fights for the other side

Attorney Lance Astrella represents landowners coping with oil and gas development on their doorsteps.

by April Reese, Jul 28, 2011
Montana's top gun-rights advocate has a national impact

Gary Marbut's case for state rights in gun regulations is spreading from Montana to the rest of the country.

by Camillia Lanham and Ray Ring, Jul 13, 2011
Richard Reynolds, raptor man

The biologist has spent 21 years counting goshawks and other raptors in Arizona's Kaibab National Forest.

by Leath Tonino, May 30, 2011
Bridging American Indian students' scientific achievement gap

Educator Michael Ceballos breaks down the barriers keeping young Native Americans from careers in science.

by Erica Gies, May 10, 2011
Jeff Rice collects nature's noises

Jeff Rice records the natural sounds of the West.

by Michael Engelhard , Feb 28, 2011
Activist brings diversity to green orgs

Marcelo Bonta's Center for Diversity & the Environment works to bring people of color into the environmental movement.

by Terri Hansen, Dec 24, 2010
A divine business

In Bozeman, Mont., 78-year-old Vern Bandy says he finds water using the legendary art of dowsing.

by Sam Western, Dec 01, 2010
The windhover

Biologist Travis Booms tracks Alaska's elusive gyrfalcons.

by Eric Wagner, Nov 16, 2010
'The last word is action'

Colorado clean-energy activist Leslie Glustrom sees the eventual decline of coal production as a possible ally.

by Nathan Rice, Oct 28, 2010
His photographs trace the passage of time

Photographer Mark Klett has made an art of rephotographing Western landscapes first documented about 100 years ago

by Renee Guillory, Sep 30, 2010