10-02-18 Field Note

10-02-18 Field Note

October 2, 2018
Jeff Clarke's early October Field Note shows the crew's sage thinning efforts, bridge and buck and rail construction, and a large flock of Sandhill Cranes.

092718_JC-1.jpg

Sagebrush thinning, conifer thinning, buck and rails, Sandhill Cranes

092718_JC-2.jpg

The field crew hauled and installed several new buck and rail exclosures over the past month. We used a new style of rail that is heavier and thicker. The map below shows where we installed the new fences.

092718_JC-3.jpg

We constructed the buck and rail fences around planted trees that are damaged by ungulates and horses every winter.

092718_JC-4.jpg

We revisited the area where we thinned and piled sage this spring.

092718_JC-5.jpg

In this area, we cut the sage and let it lay where it fell.

092718_JC-6.jpg

Aerial images prove that our conifer forests are encroaching on native grasslands.

092718_JC-7.jpg

We added a six-inch layer of woodchips to several exclosures.

092718_JC-8.jpg

Voles girdled and killed many of our planted fruit trees last winter

092718_JC-9.jpg

The path across the clubhouse pond outlet has always been a little sketchy

092718_JC-10.jpg

Jesse built a new bridge so everyone can cross the outlet with confidence

092718_JC-11.jpg

Cows visited the ranch from the south multiple times.

092718_JC-12.jpg

The crew came across this lone horse deep in the boondocks.

092718_JC-13.jpg

I observed a flock of 100+ Sandhill Cranes just south of the ranch.

092718_JC-14.jpg

A badger dug a hole in the middle of the exercise equipment at the Guest House

092718_JC-15.jpg

A serviceberry bush must endure much hardship to get to this stature in the heart of bitterbrush land

092718_JC-16.jpg

Fall colors pop one species at a time.

092718_JC-17.jpg

Cold weather at higher elevations encouraged gold to come out from the larch




Related Field Notes

View More >

Related Research

View More >

Related Photo Galleries

View More >