Aspen trees have burst their pointed buds and are growing out tiny little leaves. Willow bushes no longer have naked yellow stalks waiting for Spring. Yellow Warblers are perching among the new Willow leaves, singing their territory boundaries. Dusky Flycatchers have arrived ahead of the Warbling Vireos and Western Wood-Pewees. I saw both Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds at Black Tail Ponds the other day. Black-headed Grosbeaks are singing for a mate.
Flowers, too, have felt the sunshine and are blooming. First to flower were the Sage Buttercups and purple Rock Cress. Recently I have seen Spring Beauty, Yellow Violets, deep purple Larkspurs, and clusters of bright yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot. A surprise find 2 days ago: the photo above is of a Clematis "Sugar Bowl." Lupines and Paintbrush are not far behind.
Yellowbells are a delicate meadow flower.
Shooting Stars are not abundant in the sage brush fields. This cluster was a fun surprise.
Spring green Aspens and Willows along Snake River at Moose (southern end of the Park).
When I arrived Jackson Lake was frozen. In the past few days significant melting has taken place. The lake is not completely ice-free, but the cove at Signal Mountain Lodge has finally melted. I saw a Common Loon, and a pair of Common Mergansers yesterday in front of the lodge. Aspen trees are still winter dormant, they don't believe Spring has arrived. Early blooming Sage Buttercups are flowering at Lupine Meadows. Spring Beauty flowers are not far behind.
The celebrity bears are showing at roadside meadows during the day and on some evenings. Grizzly # 399 raises her cubs in the forest and meadows north of Jackson Lake Lodge. Tonight they were out foraging for roots and digging for insects. The 2 cubs are yearlings, having survived their first year in the Park. Strong backlighting from the sun made focusing a challenge. This is maximum zoom on the camera. 2 Rangers were present to make sure that everyone stayed a safe distance away from the bears.
The bears went into the forest leaving the group of photographers and visitors without a subject of interest, until a pair of Mountain Bluebirds came by. The male perched on top of a pine tree to watch all the people in his territory.
Yesterday morning and this morning the clear lake waters showed spectacular reflections.
Mt Moran is on the right, with Mt. Woodring and Rockchuck Peak.
Grand Teton is on the left with Symmetry Spires, Mt St John, and Rockchuck Peak.
2 beautiful mornings in a row.
Aspen trees have burst their pointed buds and are growing out tiny little leaves. Willow bushes no longer have naked yellow stalks waiting for Spring. Yellow Warblers are perching among the new Willow leaves, singing their territory boundaries. Dusky Flycatchers have arrived ahead of the Warbling Vireos and Western Wood-Pewees. I saw both Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds at Black Tail Ponds the other day. Black-headed Grosbeaks are singing for a mate.
