June 12: The unusual sight of beaver (Castor canadensis
canadensis) on Yellowstone Lake was enjoyed by many rangers and ranger
naturalists when three beaver were seen swimming near the pier by the
Lake Fish Hatchery. The mission of the animals was undetermined but it
is possible that they were circling a the lake in quest of a more
favorable environment than that of the east shore where some beaver have
been found in the past.
Beaver seem to prefer smaller bodies of water and streams where there
is an abundance of aspen (Populus tremuloides) and willows (Salix sp.)
but in Yellowstone Park the beaver live under widely varying conditions
of environment so that it is not surprising to find them near any body
of cold water.
--Jennings J. King
June 27: While splitting blocks of wood for use as fuel today,
one block disclosed the channel of the wood borers in which had been
trapped an adult Long Horned Woodborer (Moncochamus oregonensis). The
inch-long body of the beetle has attached to it the two-inch jointed
antennae which usually lie along the back. This beetle lays eggs in the
tree trunk which develop into the larvae which cut channels often
three-eighths of an inch to one-half inch in diameter through the trunk.
--J.J.K.
June 29: Today while conducting the "geyser chasing" caravan
from Old Faithful a bit of activity was discovered at the Black Pearl
Pools in Biscuit Basin. As the party was standing on the walk at the
side of the pools a huge gas bubble rose and broke with a great
detonation in the lower hot pool. The unexpected "explosion" startled
the visitors and suggested the possibilities of another disturbance such
as that of the winter of 1935 when huge pieces of rock were thrown from
this Pool to distances as great as seventy feet.
During previous and following visits to these pools no such
disturbances have been noted.
--J.J.K.
August 1: For several weeks visitors who have taken the nature
walk have enjoyed the unusual sight of mountain rosas (Rosa fendleri)
blossoming amidst the branches of an Engelmann spruce tree (Picea
engelmannii). The plant has sprung up near the trunk of the tree. In its
attempt to reach the sunshine the main stem has branched very little and
flowers first developed on a shoot approximately three feet above the
ground near the outer branches of the tree. A second cluster of flowers
blossomed one foot above this and the last showy cluster of flowers
blossomed at the top of the plant slightly over six feet above the
ground.
On first sight, one was given the impression that the spruce tree was
harboring a showy parasite such as might be found only in the tropical
or semi-tropical areas.
--J.J.K.
August 2: Large numbers of the Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus
cyanocephalus - Wagler) appeared on the parade ground for the first time
this season.
--James R. Hamilton
September 1: Enroute to Old Faithful today I saw a large
six-point bull elk that had just begun to shed the velvet which hung in
rags from his great antlers. Fresh blood about the head indicated that
he had been rubbing his antlers against a tree but a short time before.
--F.R.Oberhansley
September 2: This evening I heard bull elk bugling for the
first time this season. One year ago I heard the first bugling as early
as August 26 on Gneiss Creek and observed shedding of the velvet a few
days earlier.
--F.R.O.
September 4: An unusual visitor to Yellowstone, among the
birds, was seen from the Museum window at Mammoth this afternoon feeding
in one of the poplars that border the sidewalk north of the building.
The male, with his completely black head, neck, back, and shoulders, and
his bright orange under parts, added a conspicuous spot of color to the
uniform foliage of the poplar. The Baltimore oriole's (Icterus galbula)
visit is a rare occurrence in Yellowstone which is at the extreme
western edge of his range. There seemed to be no traveling companion
with this handsome bird.
--J.R.H.
September 20: While driving in the vicinity of the Soda Butte
Ranger Station, I had an opportunity to get the speed of a young coyote.
A coyote pup ran into the road in front of the car and literally
doubling himself with every jump, maintained a pace of twenty miles per
hour for 300 yards before he finally turned aside into the sage.
--Sheldon F. Dart
September 27: We observed a pine squirrel (Sciurus hudsonicus
ventorum) perform a real feat of strength tonight when he seized upon a
tomato at least twice his diameter. Unable to carry it outright, the
squirrel would toss his head up with the vegetable firmly grasped in his
mouth, and would then jump forward. This unique method of locomotion
would bring the squirrel up short and tore the tomato from his grasp
with each leap. After eating over a third of his load, the little fellow
was able to rush it up a nearby tree and impale it upon a projecting
limb.
--W.E.Kearns