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YELLOWSTONE NATURE NOTES


Vol. XIV March-April, 1937 Nos. 3-4

Leaves From Our Diaries

February 15: While skiing near Angel Terrace with Frank Oberhansley this morning, we heard a beautiful lyric bird-song which puzzled us both. A warbler at his best would have been given stiff competition by this songster. Suddenly the delightful melody was interrupted by harsh, querulous notes, followed closely by raucous calls, and then the versatile singer appeared in the limber pine (Pinus flexilis) where he had been screened from view. It didn't seem possible that the Steller Jay (Cyanocitta Stelleri) could be the producer of such a repertoire but just to prove it, he repeated his performance in full view.

--W.E.Kearns

March 7: The past few spring-like days have evidently deceived some of our hibernating friends. Today a Golden Mantled Marmot (Marmota flaviventris nosophora) was seen enjoying the warm sun on a south exposure in the Hoodoos. An hour later a Black Bear (Euarctos americanus cinnamomum) was encountered at the entrance to his den on a hillside north of Mammoth. This bear has been in hibernation since November 18 and will probably remain denned up at least another month.

--F.R.Oberhansley

March 10: A beaver (Castor canadensis missouris) was seen coming down his trail in the deep snow from the trees above to Crescent Lake. Making his way leisurely down the hill end out onto the lake, he dove through a hole in the ice to reach his lodge.

--W.E.K.

March 13: While on patrol with Ranger Watson to Heart Lake, we followed an Otter's (Lutra canadensis canadensis) track for over 15 miles, saw a Lynx's (Lynx canadensis canadensis) track on Witch Creek, and near the Harebell Cabin, saw where a Marten (Martes caurina origines) had killed a Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus bairdii bairdii) as evidenced by the story in the snow.

Several Red-winged Blackbirds (Angelaius phoeniceus..?..) were seen near a hot-spot on Snake River today.

--Judson Rhoads

March 15: The matter of the Townsend Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) being en all year resident has been decided in the affirmative in the light of observations made this past winter. Townsend Solitaires have been observed near Mammoth or at Tower Falls on the dates which follow: November 2 and 13, December 1 and 23, January 10 and 23, February 13, 15, and 20, and on March 8.

--W.E.K.

March 17-18: The following notes concern the activity in the Norris Geyser Basin: new activity west of Congress Pool; mud geyser, inactive, except for subterranean roar of steam and splashing of water; Hurricane Vent is very active; great piles of ice encroach upon Valentine Geyser from the northeast; Constant Geyser to heights of from 10 to 13 feet there is more activity and more run-off than in the past from Porcelain Hill.

An American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus) was seen flying over the Gibbon River near the Norris Mess Hall.

--W.E.K.
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27-Dec-2004