Winter 2009, Northeast Ridge

Photo Essay 2009-02-21

--Donna Chafin

Our two mysteries: (the first is juniper berries in unidentified scat)


Land snail shell, fossilized shells, and Ammonite close-up:


Deer evidence (bucks rubbing velvet off of antlers leave "rubs":


Tree hollow:



The (now) slow-running fresh water spring:


Winter color:

Nightshade fruit, filaree bloom, snake apple(or balsam apple), a vine with a huge tuber

And other finds:

Robin, hairy grama, and uncovered centipede returning to winter hiding

Winter 2009, Northeast Ridge

Photo Essay 2009-02-21

--Debi Cates

Some green and growing:

Evening Primrose winter rosette and blooming Ephedra

The more visible critters:

Cottontail and Red-winged Blackbird

Ancient reminders:

Ammonite and a gravel or fossil layer in eroded bank

Seeds everywhere:

Bristlegrass and Tridens

The "lowly" species:

Cryptogamic crust, rock Lichen, and a species of Weevil next to a Filaree rosette