More Signs of Spring
Three weeks ago it was the prairie dogs stirring and, during that period, more and more of the colonies have become active. Then it was the Say's Phoebe singing at the Visitor Center (though it promptly disappeared for several days when a cold front came through but has since come back). The robins, though present all winter, have begun returning to the plateau in greater numbers along with a few other species. Three days ago I saw a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel seeking out some food around Sunset Point - another first for the season. Now the Mule Deer have made their way from the park's lower elevations and are browsing up here (watch out for the cat you guys!).
Of course if the forecast for the next couple of days is correct, we're going to be thrust right back into winter with a foot or so of new snow. Yikes. But I don't mind too much because I learned this week that I've been hired on for another 6 month stint through the summer!
Comments
Kevin, I'm so glad to hear you'll be there at Bryce for another 6 months. Congrats! Did you or are you getting the snow that was predicted? We got a forecast for colder temps and rain that was supposed to arrive Thurs night and early Friday morn. Instead, we've been experiencing (albeit at least 24 hr later than predicted) a mixture of weather. Yes, it's chilly, but we've been getting a little rain mixed with sunshine. It can be raining one minute, and then the sun shining the next. We even had a small amount of hail earlier this morning.
Posted by: Mary Carlson | March 15, 2008 04:21 PM
Thanks - it is such a great place and I couldn't be happier that I will be staying! I have some unfinished business with the local avifauna, too - there's still a number of birds that reside here I haven't seen (and a greater number that I would like to photograph).
They've really missed on the forecasts the past few days and keep changing the predicted snowfall amounts. It was supposed to start snowing yesterday afternoon and over about 48 hours leave close to 2 feet. It finally started early this morning and they've drastically lowered the predictions for snowfall totals. All we can do is just ride it out and we get what we get. It should be like Spring again for most of the rest of the week and I'm okay with that.
Posted by: Kevin | March 16, 2008 08:44 AM