GRAND TETON NATURE NOTES

TALUS

July 10 - Twenty persons were on the all-day hike to Death Canyon today, and reached the beginning of the upper canyon below the limestone wall. A female Richardson's Grouse (Dendragopus obscurus richardsoni) appeared especially concerned, over our presence, and a brief search disclosed the reason. In the middle of an open slope deep in the shade of a rank growth of columbine, balsam root, phacelia and lupine, all in full flower, we found the grass nest, resting on the ground and containing six light buff, brown-spotted eggs. - H.R.S.

July 11 - Going up to Death Canyon on a geology trip, Howard Stagner and I stopped on the top of the Phelps Lake moraine to catch our breath and to look at the view. We happened to look down the side of the moraine and our attention was attracted by something on a large rock. We at first thought it to be a skunk, but on closer observation we found it to be a coal-black marmot (Marmota flaviventris nosophora) with a white face. Although black marmots, or woodchucks, as they are sometimes called, have been seen in the park, this is the first one with a white face that has been reported. - J.G. Simvoulakis, Student Technician

July 12 - Under a limestone ledge in upper Death Canon today, Howard Stagner and I found a nest od the American Pipit (Anthus spinoletta rubescens) containing five brown and white spotted eggs. - J.S.

July 24 - All previous records for large hiking parties were broken today when 73 persons started on the Teton Glacier Trail with the naturalist. By noon 66 of the party reached Amphitheater Lake near timber line. After lunch 50 of the party made the additional trip to the glacier, returned to the lake, and, joined by the rest of the group, were back in camp by 6 P.M.

All-day hikes, three of which are usually conducted each week, have increased rapidly in popularity since their introduction in Grand Teton National Park a year ago. Of the several, the glacier trip has most appeal. The round trip of 13 miles, two of which are over the tremendous jumble of broken rocks that constitute the morain and talus below the glacier, is made by hiking parties in an average time of 9 hours. In the climb of some 3,500 feet, there is brought into view a constantly changing panorama of Jackson Hole with its several large lakes and the Snake River, its timbered areas and sagebrush flats, and of the Gros Ventre and Wind River Mountains for to the east. At the head of the trail near timberline are beautiful Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes; and a short distance beyond the trail, cliff-bound Glacier Canyon with the glacier nestled in a huge cirque offers one of the most spectacular views of the range. The glacier itself, quite small as glaciers are measured, but a perfect one, lies in the shadow of the Grand Teton whose summit rises nearly 3,500 feet almost vertically above the ice. When to this great variety of scenery are added an opportunity to see and to know at first hand all of the features developed by large and small alpine glaciers, and the factor of comparative easy accessibility, the increasing popularity of this trip is readily understood. - H.R.S.

July - White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) have been especially numerous in the park this summer. They appear to be the most abundant bird at elevations of about 8,500 feet, and two nests have been observed on the lower slopes of Mt. Teewinot early in the month. - H.R.S.

July. - Many nesting pairs of Western Warbling Vireos (Vireo gilvus swainsoni) have been observed in the Jenny Lake area during the early part of the month. - A.D.C.

August 10 - The all-day hiking party located the nest of the Black Rosy Finch (Leucosticte atrata) near Teton Glacier. These high altitude birds are seen especially during the early part of the summer in the glacier and snowbank areas. - A.D.C

August - Green-tailed Towhee (Oberholseria chlorura) previously observed but once in the park, have been seen on two occasions on the lower slopes of Mt. Teewinot at elevations of about 7,500 feet, - H R.S.

August - Two C.C.C. spike camps have been visited by bears this month. A small black bear carried off several pounds of meat from the Granite Camp. This particular bear showed up at a later date and was chased up a tree by a group of enrollees. One of the boys, bolder than the rest, followed the bear up the tree with a cross-cut saw. The bear perched out on a limb as far as he could go. The enrollee sawed off the limb letting Mr. bear take a good fall. He scampered off through the woods and has not molested the food supply of this camp since. - Allyn F. Hanks

August - Moose have spent the entire month near the heads of the Teton canyons and were often seen by those taking the back trails. More deer have been observed in the park this summer than last, and at various times have been seen crossing the main highway between Timbered Island and the Park. Several have been sighted near Beaver Dick Campground, at the head of Leigh Lake, in Wister Draw, and near the mouth of Granite Creek. Some Mountain Sheep have been sighted by pack trips and trail crews. John Ray counted one ram, two ewes and one lamb on the top of Table Mountain. In all about 15 sheep have been seen by different people, and from signs observed there are possible twice this number in the park. All ground squirrels had disappeared by the end of the month although their larger relatives the marmots remained active. Beaver activity has been very noticeable this month in all streams and lakes throughout the park. Many food caches have been observed as beaver continue to store food for the coming winter. - Allyn F. Hanks