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GLACIER National Park |
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 From their lowland wintering grounds, wapiti move up to higher elevations in spring. Summer range in the park is abundant, but winter range is limited; as a result, wapiti have a tendency to increase their populations beyond the carrying capacity of available winter range. In a severe winter many starve. But in a balanced ecosystem such loss is not waste, for the carrion helps sustain scavengers: it is an important initial food source for bears emerging from hibernation. |
 Cedar waxwings nest in moist areas of low valleys where fruits and berries are abundant. Although they also subsist on insects (which they can capture on the wing), their weakness for fruit is so pronounced that the birds will sometimes gorge themselves until rendered incapable of flight. |
 The Columbian ground squirrel is found at all park elevations, from prairie to alpine meadow. Hibernation occupies almost three-quarters of its five-year lifespan, unlike other park ground squirrels, it lives in colonies. Although not as tightly structured as a prairie dog town, the association is beneficial to all members in that danger is readily detected. |
 The tundra community is encountered above Preston Park on the Siyeh Pass trail. Mt. Reynolds, a classic example of a horn, dominates the distant Logan Pass area. |
 Camas blooms in the prairie community along the Red Eagle road. An important staple, camas bulbs were gathered as food by Indians. |
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Last Modified: Sat, Nov 4 2006 10:00:00 pm PST |