One of the more unique aspects of working in a national park is observing wildlife on a regular basis while we work. .
Near the end of June, several families of mud swallows began building nests above the doorway to the RV Park office where Paul works. Once the nests were begun, they were "protected" by the park service in that we could not remove them even though our guests were subject to being splattered by "white stuff" as they entered the office to check in.
It was fascinating to see how quickly these nests were built. Then, in less than 3 weeks after completion of the nests, there were pieces of broken egg shell on the ground, indicating the eggs in the nests had begun to hatch. We could watch the baby swallows first stand on the upper ledge of the front of the building and soon begin to fly. Here you can see three little baby swallows looking down.
Most days we have visits from mule deer. Below a buck is enjoying a snack of green brush. Notice the antlers are still "in velvet". Velvet covers a growing antler and provides it with blood, supplying oxygen and nutrients until the antler fully develops and hardens.
A doe often traveled through the RV Park and campground with her three fawns, two of which are visible near the sign that says, "All RV's Stop Here". This is where RV park guests drive-up to park while they register inside the office. The deer never seemed to be bothered by people nearby.
Also, notice the red/white striped pole above the utility box on the right-side of the photo. The pole shows the snow plow drivers where there is an obstacle to avoid while plowing during the winter. The top of this pole is nearly 6 feet above the ground. A very quick reminder of why we don't want to be in the Tetons during winter.
Two of the fawns have moved behind the RV Park office, which is the structure on the right side of this photo. Notice the detail in the construction of the office structure. Back in the early 1900's, this building was the gas station for the village of Moran while the first Jackson Lake Dam was being built. The building was moved about 7 miles north to Colter Bay in the 1950's when the RV park was first opened.
During the summer we also had periodic visits from a black bear cub, as well a fox family. Unfortunately, we have no photos of these visitors, as they came and went too quickly.
Near the end of June, several families of mud swallows began building nests above the doorway to the RV Park office where Paul works. Once the nests were begun, they were "protected" by the park service in that we could not remove them even though our guests were subject to being splattered by "white stuff" as they entered the office to check in.
It was fascinating to see how quickly these nests were built. Then, in less than 3 weeks after completion of the nests, there were pieces of broken egg shell on the ground, indicating the eggs in the nests had begun to hatch. We could watch the baby swallows first stand on the upper ledge of the front of the building and soon begin to fly. Here you can see three little baby swallows looking down.
Most days we have visits from mule deer. Below a buck is enjoying a snack of green brush. Notice the antlers are still "in velvet". Velvet covers a growing antler and provides it with blood, supplying oxygen and nutrients until the antler fully develops and hardens.
A doe often traveled through the RV Park and campground with her three fawns, two of which are visible near the sign that says, "All RV's Stop Here". This is where RV park guests drive-up to park while they register inside the office. The deer never seemed to be bothered by people nearby.
Also, notice the red/white striped pole above the utility box on the right-side of the photo. The pole shows the snow plow drivers where there is an obstacle to avoid while plowing during the winter. The top of this pole is nearly 6 feet above the ground. A very quick reminder of why we don't want to be in the Tetons during winter.
Two of the fawns have moved behind the RV Park office, which is the structure on the right side of this photo. Notice the detail in the construction of the office structure. Back in the early 1900's, this building was the gas station for the village of Moran while the first Jackson Lake Dam was being built. The building was moved about 7 miles north to Colter Bay in the 1950's when the RV park was first opened.
During the summer we also had periodic visits from a black bear cub, as well a fox family. Unfortunately, we have no photos of these visitors, as they came and went too quickly.
No comments:
Post a Comment