10-27-16 Field Note

10-27-16 Field Note

October 27, 2016

Jeff Clarke's Field Note shows fall colors, boundary signs, vegetation survey efforts, and browsed willows.

Fall colors, boundary signs, vegetation survey, willow browser

The youth hunting season is upon us. The lucky ones that had their names drawn to hunt helped us plant bitterbrush, mountain mahogany and sunflower seeds.

The field crew posted property boundary signs around the perimeter of the new MPG Ranch lands. While on their sign posting mission, they encountered steep terrain and heavy wildlife traffic.

The crew also completed another elk forage survey. Teagan will analyze the data we collected and determine the quality and quantity of ungulate forage across the ranch.

We acquired 700 bales of straw from Louis Bauma. We will spread it on top of broadcasted seed in an effort to retain moisture on the soil’s surface.

A few turtles tried to soak in the fading warmth from the sun. Between them, grass sprouted from a floating chunk of algae. I wonder if the turtles will nibble the grass before cooler temperatures chase them deep into the pond’s muck for the winter?

Red osier dogwood leaves remained vibrant long after the cottonwood and aspen leaves fell.

Some ungulates jumped the fence that protects our planted willow grove. Once inside, they found a bounty of scrumptious, vulnerable saplings. Most of the browsed trees should recover next year.

Mushrooms have flourished due to recent and heavy rain.

California poppy blooms continued to carpet the seeded restoration areas late into the fall.

Full Douglas-fir pinecones await hungry winter birds.

Parasitic Indian pipe flowered a few days after an autumn rain. They lack chlorophyll and obtain nutrients from adjacent conifer roots.

The 2016 field season has come to an end. I’d like to thank Tanner, Everette, Jim and Ben for all their hard work and dedication to the field projects they worked on this year.

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10-27-16 Field Note

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10-27-16 Field Note

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