late Summer

Wildfires are becoming an unfortunate reality of summer in the West.  Smoke from fires in Idaho, California, and other states drifts over the Teton range and obscures the features of each mountain.  Its very sad to hear of the forests burning so hot, and so intensely.  

    July has been hot, with above average temperatures. Summer wildflowers are fading.  Fireweed and Salsify have created fluffy seed heads, Lupine and Coralroot have put their last energy into dangling pods.  Along the lower trails, Asters, Goldenrod, and tiny Sunflowers continue to bloom.  Upper mountain meadows still have bright red Paintbrush,  Sticky Geraniums, and Louseworts.  
    In June, Kinglets, Robins, Thrushes, Western Tanagers, and more were singing in the forest near the Lodge.  Its very quiet now.  I hear an occasional Chickadee or Nuthatch near the dorms.  Juncos flit across the trail to the store.  Yesterday I visited a set of ponds just south of Jackson to watch ducks of several species.  Mallards, Gadwalls, and Coots all had half-grown ducklings swimming with them.  A few Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Redheads have already started into eclipse plumage.  Below photo of Trumpeter Swans who successfully raised 3 little ones on Flat Creek in the Elk Refuge.  
Photo of Mt Moran at sunset thru the smoke.

I was very happy to find these 2 Moose today. I have not seen one since May.  The male in the background is a young animal with only small knobs for antlers.