February 15: While skiing near Angel Terrace with Frank
Oberhansley this morning, we heard a beautiful lyric bird-song which
puzzled us both. A warbler at his best would have been given stiff
competition by this songster. Suddenly the delightful melody was
interrupted by harsh, querulous notes, followed closely by raucous
calls, and then the versatile singer appeared in the limber pine (Pinus
flexilis) where he had been screened from view. It didn't seem possible
that the Steller Jay (Cyanocitta Stelleri) could be the producer of such
a repertoire but just to prove it, he repeated his performance in full
view.
--W.E.Kearns
March 7: The past few spring-like days have evidently deceived
some of our hibernating friends. Today a Golden Mantled Marmot (Marmota
flaviventris nosophora) was seen enjoying the warm sun on a south
exposure in the Hoodoos. An hour later a Black Bear (Euarctos americanus
cinnamomum) was encountered at the entrance to his den on a hillside
north of Mammoth. This bear has been in hibernation since November 18
and will probably remain denned up at least another month.
--F.R.Oberhansley
March 10: A beaver (Castor canadensis missouris) was seen
coming down his trail in the deep snow from the trees above to Crescent
Lake. Making his way leisurely down the hill end out onto the lake, he
dove through a hole in the ice to reach his lodge.
--W.E.K.
March 13: While on patrol with Ranger Watson to Heart Lake, we
followed an Otter's (Lutra canadensis canadensis) track for over 15
miles, saw a Lynx's (Lynx canadensis canadensis) track on Witch Creek,
and near the Harebell Cabin, saw where a Marten (Martes caurina
origines) had killed a Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus bairdii bairdii) as
evidenced by the story in the snow.
Several Red-winged Blackbirds (Angelaius phoeniceus..?..) were seen
near a hot-spot on Snake River today.
--Judson Rhoads
March 15: The matter of the Townsend Solitaire (Myadestes
townsendi) being en all year resident has been decided in the
affirmative in the light of observations made this past winter. Townsend
Solitaires have been observed near Mammoth or at Tower Falls on the
dates which follow: November 2 and 13, December 1 and 23, January 10 and
23, February 13, 15, and 20, and on March 8.
--W.E.K.
March 17-18: The following notes concern the activity in the
Norris Geyser Basin: new activity west of Congress Pool; mud geyser,
inactive, except for subterranean roar of steam and splashing of water;
Hurricane Vent is very active; great piles of ice encroach upon
Valentine Geyser from the northeast; Constant Geyser to heights of from
10 to 13 feet there is more activity and more run-off than in the past
from Porcelain Hill.
An American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus) was seen
flying over the Gibbon River near the Norris Mess Hall.
--W.E.K.
