March 12, 2013
April 26, 2009
Buttercups (2)
Perhaps by publishing this post I will be able to get Buttercups out of my system, at least for this season, and move on to other things. In my lighter moments, I visualize them having different moods.
Impetuous, whimsical
Shy…private
Mysterious
March 18, 2009
February 13, 2009
Them thar groundhogs don’t know what they’s talkin’ about!
The first of the season.
(On a rocky slope 500 feet above the river, watered by night-time frost and nourished by the droppings of Big Horn sheep, there was exactly one Buttercup in bloom today, most likely a Sagebrush Buttercup, Ranunculus glaberrimus Hook. )
April 1, 2008
Elk and buttercups
During a short trip into one of my favorite areas just a couple of days ago I had an experience that would be a thrill for anyone who loves wildlife.
A couple of miles from the road as I approached a high ridge, slightly to my right I saw four white-tail deer. As I watched them, a movement directly in front of me caught my attention and directed my eyes to a half dozen mule deer. And, as I was looking at them, I glanced at a patch of tan above them on the steep hillside and discovered a group of six elk grazing along there. It’s not often that one can see all three species together and be able to watch them all without taking a step!
A rather fumbling attempt to stalk into camera range of the elk was successful only in spooking the mulies who in turn spooked the elk, and so I came away with no photos of them. I’ll substitute this one taken while hunting in the area last October instead. It’s a hunter’s eye view.
After effectively spooking all the game in the area I continued up to the top of the ridge where, despite my bumbling, I was able to stalk within camera range of some buttercups, and had to chuckle because I noticed that earlier in the spring they had been fertilized by the elk. An interesting example of the benefits of natural biodiversity.
March 24, 2008
Can’t stay away from the buttercups (2)
Also can’t resist this one more post about them. Yesterday, however, I saw the first yellow bell of the year, so maybe I’ll be able get away from the buttercups for this year.