April Nature News
Posted on Friday, May 1st, 2009
April brought spring closer to the valley. When you awake each day with uncertainty of the weather, it is spring. You begin to feel a bit like the Cat in the Hat since it might be too warm to ski, but to wet/muddy to hike. My time outdoors is often spent walking roads and looking for anything green. By the end of the month, we had received 543 inches of annual snowfall.
With the close of the ski resort and the avalanche forecast, we are left to guess any additional accumulation. Weather forecast is a rain/snow mix the next few days so we will certainly be receiving more snow. The photo I took is from our back deck and I took the photo on April 26. We received about four inches of snow in the valley and I was happily starting a fire.
Spring storms can be challenging for nature. Animals, weakened due to the long winter, have a hard time moving in heavy snow. Many begin to migrate, but a few elk are still on the National Elk Refuge since they wait for good weather to head north. They actually can detect barometric weather changes, so mainly migrate during high pressure. The valley has yet to turn green so plants are just starting to “wake up” and produce sugars.
I have seen some spring flowers in the sage flats. I did see Orogenia or Indian Potato, which was a food source for native people. I also saw strawberry leaves which would be a source of chlorophyll. As I contemplate the small size of Indian Potato and imagine collecting them to eat their tiny roots, I give gratitude for my pantry and the ease of food sources today. My mind wanders to the native tribesman and their true connection and dependence on nature. As we live with the cycles of the earth, we ground ourselves and receive an open spaciousness. Unfortunately, many people miss this opportunity in life and all it takes is a conscious deep breath or two in the fresh clean air. You will feel the energy and notice the bigness inside yourself. I do think people notice a lightness in the spring and recognize a change of food preference. With awareness, you can even make this better.
Since spring is slow to come to the valley, I keep a sharp look out for all changes. Daily changes do occur. I see different birds at my feeders like the dark-eyed juncos which seemed to return about mid-month. The pair of red tail hawks have nested in the cottonwood tree on our creek. More deer are moving through our woods. Water begins to flow at a faster rate with warmer temperatures and my ears fill with the sounds of nature and the strength behind the change.
I did see a few butterflies as they awake from their winter slumber. We have two species that overwinter: the Milbert’s Tortoiseshell and the Mourning Cloak. The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell is some of the first we see. They overwinter as adults and awake in the spring. They awake with a tattered look, but seem joyous. Eggs are laid on stinging nettle since it’s the food source for the larvae. Stinging nettle is also a great spring food source for us with its nutrient foliage.
My spring travels took me to Zion National Park and Fruita, Colorado. We enjoyed biking and hiking and a bit of warmth. It seemed like a cool spring most places we visited so the rain/snow mix seemed to follow us south. I did enjoy my first hummingbird in Zion and look for them to return here. April is a quiet time in Jackson Hole. Businesses wrap up winter and take a break before summer. Most valley residents travel somewhere. By mid-May the pulse will quicken as the summer season prepares to begin.
Oh the joy of spring, I just saw a yellow goldfinch and he had his bright yellow breeding feathers of spring!
Tour Suggestion- Spring is a tough time to predict what to do until the day arrives. Lower elevation hikes in the Gros Ventre Range will be clear of snow first. Shadow Mountain is always a fun place to hike and you have a good chance of seeing newborn bison or migrating elk. Teton Valley, Idaho will also have spring hiking options. The Aspen Trail will be green and vibrant and a great place to look for Clematis. If you will be in the valley in May, I will be leading a spring plant walk in the Munger Mountain area on May 19. We will meet at 5 p.m. and enjoy the evening looking at spring blooms. This walk is associated with the native plant society and all are welcome. If you want more information, let me know. Don’t forget bears are active and moose will be calving so make noise while you walk.
Check out contributor Cathy Shill’s Hole Hiking experience. The biologist leads nature and educational hikes and trips in Bridger-Teton and Targhee-Caribou National Forests.
