Photos / Sounds
What
Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)Observer
milletmanDescription
Crawling rapidly across cement patio and onto the grassy fringe. Prominent B&W color pattern.
Photos / Sounds
What
Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)Observer
milletmanDescription
1st photo: Fuzzy focus, but better angle to observe inflorescence structure (paired flowers at leaf nodes), and leaf arrangement (+/- opposite).
2nd photo: Better focus showing 5 yellow petals.
What
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)Observer
milletmanDescription
Doe & fawn crossing yard near garden, after first killing frost (note bleached foliage on sweetcorn in foreground).
Photos / Sounds
What
Order PolypodialesObserver
milletmanDescription
Along Truman's Gulch Trail, about 2 miles above trailhead, in an area where there are many head-to-thorax-sized stones in the rubble of an old rockslide or flood; area appears to be sub-irrigated. Large fern with blades >60 cm.
What
Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra)Observer
milletmanDescription
Along Truman's Gulch Trail, about 2 miles above trailhead; white-berried form
Photos / Sounds
What
Dyer's Polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii)Observer
milletmanDescription
Large-fruited fungus (>20 cm diameter) along Truman's Gulch Trail, about 2 miles above trailhead
Photos / Sounds
What
Broom Snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae)Observer
milletmanDescription
Late-flowering yellow aster on short, dark green, woody stems
What
Pine Family (Family Pinaceae)Observer
milletmanDescription
Sun through forest fire smoke above Limber Pine & Douglas Fir from near the first bench on the south branch of the Drinking Horse Mountain Trail.
What
Fireberry Hawthorn (Crataegus chrysocarpa)Observer
milletmanDescription
Hawthorn along the Drinking Horse Mtn Trail, just west of the FWS complex, before the trail drops down to cross Bridger Creek. The orange-skinned fruit are not yet mature. Dry summer combined with ridge-top location could have resulted in reduced fruit number per infloresence; however, clusters of four fruit or fewer suggest C. chryocarpa.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)Observer
milletmanDescription
50-60 cm long snake crossing the footpath near the picnic table N of the parking lot
Photos / Sounds
What
Merlin (Falco columbarius)Observer
milletmanDescription
Female or juvenile Merlin on T-post above Sentinel Drive road cut
Photos / Sounds
What
Hypogastrurid Springtails (Family Hypogastruridae)Observer
milletmanDescription
On melting snow, where they are typically found in winter. These were "springing" 7-8 cm. Air temperature was about 5C.
What
Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli)Observer
milletmanDescription
Mountain Chickadee (and a Black-capped Chickadee that is not identifiable in this view) on a suet feeder in a Rocky Mountain Juniper
Photos / Sounds
What
Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix)Observer
milletmanDescription
Small flock of 10 birds in undeveloped city park along Mandeville Creek south of W.Oak Street
What
American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)Observer
milletmanDescription
Mammal tracks on a snow-covered sidewalk. American Red Squirrel or Mountain Cottontail (less likely as typical elongated rear footprints were not seen)
What
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
milletmanDescription
This hawk & its mate are year-round residents in this subdivision
What
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)Observer
milletmanDescription
Mule Deer fawn was bedded down 3 m off Sentinel Drive until disturbed by a passing jogger
What
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)Observer
milletmanDescription
Male RNP that was gleaning below a feeder after attempting unsuccessfully to land directly on the feeder itself
Photos / Sounds
What
Eared Owls and Allies (Genus Asio)Observer
milletmanDescription
Owl "angel" in the snow over a vole hole; wingspan ca. 60 cm & body length not more than 34 cm. Based on these measurements & known ranges of owls in Montana, it was most likely a Short-eared Owl or a Long-eared Owl. Photos with the meter-stick were taken two days after the initial observation, following a light dusting of snow.
What
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)Observer
milletmanDescription
In the campground in Colombus, along the Yellowstone River
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Gilled Mushrooms and Allies (Order Agaricales)Observer
milletmanDescription
Growing in the lawn above B&C's garden
Photos / Sounds
What
Field and Button Mushrooms (Genus Agaricus)Observer
milletmanDescription
Growing in the lawn at the base of our Green Ash tree