My field season is slowly winding down with the flowers setting seeds (a.k.a. nutlets). However, the nutlets contain elaiosomes that are removed by ants (and the plants are also eaten by deers), thus I have to be extra diligent in nutlet-collecting before other creatures get to them first.
And then drinking the nectar.
The successfully-pollinated flowers produce at most four nutlets per flower.
Creatures
Random photos of animals that I see.
Horse-riding appears to be a popular summer activity here in Crested Butte.
Well-camouflaged crab spider waiting for preys.
Ant queen harassed by worker ants.
Photographing an unknown butterfly.
Saw this jumping spider on my hike to Emerald Lake yesterday, which appears to be a Johnson Jumper (Phidippus johnsoni).
I believe this is a male because its abdomen is entirely red.
Deaths
There is a trail (mostly for mountain bikers) right next to my study area, and so far I have found two creatures dead on the trail.
My first time seeing a Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla). Very sad that it was dead. My field assistant and I buried it underneath a rock afterwards.
Then there was this dead mouse. I buried it as well. Rest in peace, poor creatures.
Moon
Morning moon on June 18th.
Rock balancing
One of the things I do (in the wild) when I am bored is balancing rocks on top of one another. A lot of patience and understanding are required, just like being in a relationship.
Scenery
The peak of wildflower emergence is happening soon, and there are quite a lot of beautiful and colourful flowers out now, and with more to come. Can't wait!
Sunday hike to Emerald Lake
I went for a hike by myself yesterday to a nearby alpine lake called Emerald Lake. It is about 5 miles and 2-hour hike away from RMBL.
Hiking along Forest Road 317.
Beaver dam next to the road.
Unknown experiment happening here.
Arriving at the lake.
It did not look very impressive from this angle.
The view on the other side makes a much nicer image.
The view on the other side makes a much nicer image.
I got there quite early, so there were no tourists around.
Panorama view of the lake.
Walking back to RMBL.
I stopped several times along the East River to soak my feet in the cool water. What a nice day!
Less than a month to go before wrapping up the field season and driving back to Canada. Sigh.
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