Heat and haze dominate the start of August. Temperatures this month were hot, rain was minimal and the lack of moisture has left a crispy landscape. Fire danger changed to extreme. Winds brought smoke and haze from northern California making the month predominately smoky. As I have mentioned before, fire is extremely important in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since it rejuvenates the … [Read more...]
January: winter storms, wildlife, thin valley snow
January brought winter storms, wind, sun and rain. Typical weather except the thin snow pack on the valley floor. Playing in the mountains becomes a challenge when you have to navigate through the thick vegetation at lower elevations. This year, the temperatures are warm enough that the valley snow continues to melt so the usual white landscape is missing. That said, the wildlife seem quite … [Read more...]
December: Solstice, Christmas Bird Count, Elk on the move
The month of December begins with white peaks and a brown valley. The warm temperatures in November melted the valley snowpack so the month starts with biking and hiking at 6400 feet. By the third week, the Solstice brought winter back to Jackson Hole and over a foot of snow fell in the mountains and the valley landscape changed. Due to the low snow pack, elk are active and moving. Outside … [Read more...]
June- high water, Grizzly in the news, RAY of summer, young everywhere
The rhythm of nature around the solstice, June 20, is hard to describe. Nature peaks at the start of summer in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Flowers fill the meadows. Young animals and birds abound. Rivers pulse. Life is busy, busy, busy. This month a baby raven came into my life. I thought it was fledging or learning to fly. Out my bedroom window, I heard raven’s squawking so looked … [Read more...]
March: BIGGEST winter on record in Jackson Hole! RAY of spring arrives to valley
Spring arrives on March 20 with blue skies, rain drops, Red Tail Hawks, Great Blue Herons and a deep snowpack. Winter 2016-17 in Jackson Hole left the deepest snowpack ever in the mountains and town broke the record for total precipitation. Bottom line, this was a BIG winter. If you visited, you know this. If not, it is hard to imagine. I travelled in February and came home to shovel for 1.5 … [Read more...]
January: Record snowfall in Jackson Hole! Old man winter descends on valley with feet of snow! RAY of white
Winter 2017 shapes up to be a big one. Snowbanks tower in town. Winds howl. Snow blows. Old man winter descends on Jackson Hole. The deep snow challenges the wildlife as they struggle for sufficient food and travel routes. RAY of white blankets the valley with hardly a twig peaking above the sage flats. Once the snow started to fall in December, it didn’t stop. After a delayed November opening … [Read more...]
Nature News: October
The month of October started and ended wet and is characterized by rapid cooling temperatures as summer gives way to fall. On average, the start of the month has highs in the upper fifties and ends with highs in the forties. October daylight decreases by 1.25 hours over the month. On October 31, sunrise was 7:58 AM, sunset 6:15 PM. This October was a bit warmer than average. Monthly … [Read more...]
Nature News: November
Transition to winter continues. November brings more snow to the Tetons moving animals to winter habitats. Lakes freeze for early season skating. Cold, frigid temperatures drive movements as species prepare for short days, snowy weather, and the season of dormancy. Winter is the time for wildlife viewing near the town of Jackson. Town is located in the southern part of Jackson Hole. The “hole” … [Read more...]