Season's end

     Signal Mountain Lodge stays open late into October, and is the only area of visitor services during much of October.  We finished inventory at the shop, and covered everything with sheets borrowed from Housekeeping, or plastic bags.  Mice and rodents are known to live in the basement during the winter.
     Aspen trees have provided glorious color to the valley this Fall.  When I departed on Friday afternoon, many Aspens had lost their leaves.

Willows turned golden and brown for the Fall. Naked twigs are a dark red-brown.  Elk drink from these ponds in Willow Flats while resting from their rutting behavior.









I hiked Open Canyon in early October.  Despite its name, Open Canyon trail does not lead to a spectacular view.  Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Gray Jays, and Clark's Nutcrackers were busy feeding and gathering seeds.  Least Chipmunks and Red Squirrels were also busy, scolding me for interrupting their foraging as I walked by.

Back at Signal Mt Lodge 2 young Mule Deer bucks entertained guests and employees alike.  This one crossed the road while I was watching them eat leaves and bushes.

A triumph of Swans

North of Jackson is the Elk Refuge. A viewpoint has been built where Flat Creek flows into the Elk Refuge.  I often stop to watch ducks and blackbirds during the summer.  One July morning Trumpeter Swan parents showed their young cygnets.  I was lucky enough to be there to take a few photos.
     In early October I stopped at the Refuge viewpoint again.  The Trumpeter Swan family was swimming together past the overlook.  So exciting to see the 3 cygnets have survived their first summer.

     








October has brought frosty mornings with grass blades and leaves covered with bits of ice. This is a Buckwheat with frosted red leaves and dried flower stalks.                                                                                             Spruce branches behind.

A foggy morning at Signal Mt Lodge.