NATURE GUIDE FIELD TRIPS

Sunday was a record day for the Nature Guide Service. An estimated total of 2,000 people visited the office in Paradise Valley. 175 went with the Ranger-naturalist on the morning field trip and more than 700 attended the lectures the evening before.

Parties have been very fortunate of late. The flowers are at their height, more than 100 species being in bloom locally at present. The trail leads through great fields of lupine, Indian paintbrush, heather, anemone, and asters. Birds are fairly abundant, several small animals are always seen and seldom a day goes by but that bear are met on the trail, seen bathing in Fairy Pond or enjoying a late breakfast at the garbage pits. In addition, the weather has been ideal on a great majority of the days.

JUMPING MOUSE

Excitement was furnished recently on a Nature Guide Trip by a Jumping Mouse. The little red-backed, long legged rodent was located in the short grass of the meadow by the guide.

The attention of the party was called to the fact that a jumping mouse was at bay. They all gathered around and watched while the naturalist flushed the quary. Out he came like one of the "jumping frogs of the Calaveras". His first jump took him into the midst of the group. Before he could jump again the party, mostly ladies, was largely some place else.