Back to Miller Butte

For UW's spring break, I made a 6-hour drive back to Jackson to see those beautiful mountains, to get some Pioneer's time at the Mountain Resort, and of course, to see the boyfriend and some wonderful friends. I've been here since Thursday evening and spent my arrival evening visiting with friends. Yesterday, it was super nice out: we were in light jackets walking around town, laying in the sun in town square, and also had a morning tour at the National Wildlife Art Museum. This morning, I went through the back entrance of the National Elk Refuge and got to check out some beautiful creatures! Driving back behind Miller Butte, you pass the huge herds of elk, pass the ponds where you can see a dozen or so Trumpeter Swans, and then you get fully behind the butte, and you get to see Big Horn Sheep! They were super close to the road this morning, so you rarely needed binoculars. But I was able to get some great up-close and personal shots of them with the use of binos! I really missed these moments - seeing big game and well animals in general. Laramie does not give you that animal fix the way the Tetons do...so this was much needed and a great 'welcome home.'

TheChristyBel

Trumpeter Swans!

Big Horn Beauty in the Road!

I Missed These Moments!

Morning Grazing

Sleighing the National Elk Refuge

Good Morning,

In preparation for our Winter Teaching Practicum, the Graduate Cohort explored the National Elk Refuge and the National Wildlife Art Museum.  These are two places that graduate students, as field instructors, can take students during program time.

This Morning's Hippie TV of the Tetons
Look at that moon!

Going to the National Elk Refuge was a really fun experience.  We met our tour guide at the entrance to the refuge, stock-piled into our SLEIGH, and off we went onto the refuge to meet the elk!

The Draft-Horses Taking Us to the Elk on the Refuge

The National Elk Refuge is very interesting.  The refuge was established in 1912 in order to provide winter habitat and preserve the Jackson Hole elk herd.  It was one of the first big game refuges established and was created as a result of the public interest in the survival of the Jackson elk herd.  Providing a habitat for approximately half of nearly 14,000 elk on the herd. 

There They Are!

As we traveled into the refuge, our tour guide talk about the history of the refuge, talked about the elk and their natural history, and answered any questions that we had.  When we take students on these sleigh rides, the tour guides also explained how our roles as field instructors can help support our tour guides during these tours with younger individuals.

So Majestic!

The grasslands are maintained with native plants and managed to produce enough natural forage for the elk through irrigation, seeding, prescribed burning, and other management activities.  The refuge is also managed throughout the summer and fall with hunting, to give the refuge land enough time to continue to produce the elk's vegetative food before they are allowed onto the refuge land.

Since the number of wintering elk on the Refuge is limited to avoid overuse of the range and spread of diseases common when herd animals are crowded.  As the winter season progresses, the management program enhances the winter elk habitat and reduce the need for supplemental feeding. 

Bull Elks Resting in the Early Hours of the Afternoon

The Refuge Has Carrying Capacity of About 5,000 Elk to Stay Here on the Refuge for the Winter

Some of the controversial activities and issues include the supplemental feeding of the elk (and bison), the management hunting program, spread of disease between elk and livestock, concentrated elk and bison populations on a limited wintering area, and the growing bison populations on the Refuge. 

Heart Exploding From Seeing the Elk Up Close

These sleigh rides were very informative, interesting, and gave us an up-close and personal viewing of the elk.  Not to mention our tour guides give that pure, raw, cowboy vibe and of course on a sleigh!

TheChristyBel

Winter Ecology Wildlife Expedition

This week, the graduates are in their first week of our sixth class, Winter Ecology! I'm pretty excited and interested in this class. In this course, the graduates learn about how to cope and be outside in this frigid weather, get a deeper look into snow science, and get a taste of natural history of animal tracking!

Momma Moose Sleeping Outside Cloudveil

To start off the mornings, and mostly every morning...Of course, there is nothing like waking up and starting your day off with a cow moose waking up next to your cabin!

Inside the National Elk Refuge Overlooking Some Big Horn Sheep

I believe it was Wednesday, we took another Wildlife Expedition tour through the National Elk Refuge. This was really fun. Our teachers, Kevin and Kevin were awesome knowledgeable guides as we talked about bison, elk, moose, and big horn sheep!

As we drove deeper into the refuge, we were able to see a first for me! Big Horn Sheep! It was such a sight! Apparently, right now, is their breeding season. So seeing them right now is pretty common along the rocky ledges of the refuge.  However we were able to see them at the base of the hills grazing on grass.

First Sightings of Big Horn Sheep Through A Scope

Using the spotting scope, I was able to capture some grazing moments for you! Remarkable that my iPhone can take some decent photos by placing it up to the lens of the scope. Eventually I should probably look into an actual camera! (Hope you're reading this Mom and Dad, for next year's Christmas gift! Haha)

So Cool for the Close Up

Heart Exploded!

These animals are so beautiful! Heir horns are not like antlers, where the animal will shed them off every year. Big horn sheep's horns will remain on the animal and will grow as the animal grows! Hence the rings on the horns.

Big Horn Sheep!

Our guide, Kevin, showed us a Big Horn Sheep skull to get a closer look. Very impressive! 

Skull of Big Horn Sheep

You can see in the photo below, how small their brain is compared to the rest of the skull. Also, you can notice that buffer zone near the forehead and top of the skull: hollow cavities in back of thick bone! This is used to absorb tremendous amounts of intense shock when the sheep butt heads with others during intense duels and fights.

Look at the Tiny Brain Cavity!

Even the horns themselves are really fascinating as well! Some can curly cue multiple times and get very large! The one we got to see up close was bigger than my head and could totally be used as a phone...just kidding!

It's the Size of My Head...And Bigger!
Can I Have this to Make into a Phone?

Seeing the big horn sheep was such a treat! Hopefully it won't be my last! Can't wait to tell my students about these wonderful animals! Bring on Winter Practicum!

Bahhhhhh!

TheChristyBel