David Restivo's Blog - April 2011
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) David Restivo, NPS Glacier is for the Birds (and a squirrel) This has been a good week for seeing a variety of birds. I was fortunate enough to photograph some beauties that we'll use in publications, illustrated evening programs, on our Web site, and in our education programs. You can see the pictures below. They include a Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides, a Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus, a Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius, and to the right, a Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. I also saw my first Columbian ground squirrel of the season. These squirrels generally hibernate at the end of August or early September and emerge in April. I know when I see one of those critters, spring has arrived. Though with the snow we've had this week you wouldn't know it. I'm sure the squirrel was pretty confused. What a way to wake up! 
Mountain Bluebird (I think it's a bit cranky over new snow in April)
David Restivo, NPS
Bohemian Waxwing
David Restivo, NPS
Varied Thrush
David Restivo, NPS
This Columbian ground squirrel is a bit shocked to wake up to snow in April
David Restivo, NPS
Excitement is in the Air I tend to feel a sense of excitement this time of the year, because the snow melts a little faster, the sun shines a bit brighter, the forest is more aromatic, the birds sing again, and I anticipate the coming summer season. I'm not the only one either. There seems to be excitement from everyone. Visitors have been calling and emailing us with trip planning questions, chatter about coming to the Park this year is flooding our Facebook page, and employees are getting ready for another season. During lunch today, I went for a walk with a colleague in Apgar and we soaked in the beauty of Lake McDonald. We remarked about the first time we had seen the view that was before us. We exchanged comments about this year's first time visitors and the impressions they might have. Check out the picture below. How can you not get excited over here and that view? 
Lake McDonald
David Restivo, NPS
|
Did You Know?
Did you know that in 1932, Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park became the world’s first International Peace Park due to the good work between the two nation’s rotary clubs?