August 2020 Observations and Field Notes

Wild rice, wildfire, grasshoppers, tussock moths, yellow flag iris

On August 19th, a lightning storm moved down the Bitterroot Valley and started at least 12 new fires

Firefighting helicopters bound for the Bitterroot River flew laps over the ranch all day.

Grasshoppers saturate the low elevation grasslands.

We hope the defoliated fruit trees in Lower Sheep Camp rebound next year.

Douglas-fir tussock moths are common across the West.

Missoula County has the highest density of invasive yellow flag iris in the state.

Thick vegetation buried an elk antler that a bull shed this spring.

After being chewed by a beaver, this cottonwood sent new shoots skyward to reestablish itself.

As our planted trees grow, their branches and stems begin to rub on their exclosures.

Robust spring rains helped our small wild rice patch triple in size this year.

Kinnikinnick berries will remain fat through early winter and feed hungry grouse.