Season Finale

Cabin Office closed today, all the guests have departed, all the other visitor services have closed as well. I will be helping another department for a few days and will be heading south by the end of the week.
Aspen trees are turning yellow in certain areas. I have heard a few Elk bugling in the distance. Bison are acting frisky, snorting and rolling in the dirt.
The last adventure of the season was a paddling trip. A co-worker and I launched kayaks just below Jackson Dam and paddled the Snake River south to a well-used take out location. The Snake is a one-way river, as the current is strong. We left her car at the take-out area. It was a beautiful morning, with the willows and bushes in Autumn dress. A Bald Eagle flew from a tree on the river's edge, over our heads and disappeared into the forest. The water is so clear I could see fish swimming near the bottom.
........The adventure of leaving WY has yet to be written.
Photos of the north end of Jackson Lake, and a surprise encounter with 2 Sandhill Cranes near Spaulding Bay.

more photos from tram hike

A hillside of Lewis's flax, with Alpine sunflower, and yellow paintbrush.
Trees have a hard life at 10,400 ft.
Rendezvous Mountain

After Labor Day

Several guest service buildings are now closed for the Winter. All the horses have been trailered away from the corrals, the cafeteria is closed, activities booth has been shut down, and the visitor center has shortened hours. Its good to be able sell a night of cabin lodging to people who have no reservations. The cabins were 100% filled for 3 months.
...........Avian notes: The lone CAL Gull has returned to the Marina. Barn Swallows nesting on the grocery store building have successfully fledged 4 young ones. I saw the entire family sitting on a street light arm a few days ago. White Pelicans have departed from Oxbow Lake, replaced by a group of American Wigeons.
...........Yesterday I drove to Jackson Hole and beyond to Teton Village. My coupon for a free ride up the tram was accepted, and I ascended to 10,400 ft with other visitors. Mountain views to the south and west were amazing. Forest fires burning to the southeast were pushing smoke up the valley and made for hazy views in that direction. Alpine tundra flowers are still blooming in some places, and a few tree islands sheltered Yellow-rump Warblers and Chickadees. Clark's Nutcrackers flew between the tree islands gathering seeds and hiding them. These birds have phenomenal memories and can remember the location of buried seeds far into the winter.
The experience of hiking above tree-line was truly wonderful. In 2 months this area will be covered with snow.
Photos of kayaking on String Lake, Gentian blooming at 10,400 ft, and trees close to tree-line.